News, stories & opinions for the world’s healthtech innovators.

Effective strategies for securing investor funding in cell and gene manufacturing tools development

We share insights from investors on what they prioritize when evaluating funding opportunities for cell and gene therapy tools.

5 critical questions for developing single-use disposables for cell therapy

Single-use disposables are a critical element in any cell and gene therapy manufacturing tool. We look at 5 key questions to consider when developing disposables for cell therapy.

What you must get right when developing a complex IVD product

We asked 4 of our key experts what are the most important things to get right when developing complex IVD instruments. This is what they said.

How to expedite development of your remote patient monitoring solution with PI’s Software Accelarators

To make it quicker and easier for companies to enter the RPM market, PI has developed Digital Baselines that can be used to build customized software solutions.

Democratization of healthcare and considerations for the at-home POC market

The demand for at-home patient monitoring and greater personal ownership of healthcare continues to grow, as do the opportunities for emerging players in this space.

Clinician advisors: The who, why, how and when of a successful partnership

The role of a clinician advisor in your organization can be determined by clarifying some fundamental questions. Why do you want a clinician advisor? What do you need them to do? Is there an actual clinical need for your product or service; or are you just seeking clinical validation?

The 4 key principles of a smart regulatory strategy for medical devices

When it comes to commercializing medical devices and products, having a regulatory strategy in place is more than just a tick-box exercise focused on compliance.

3 ways to accelerate your product development program and get to market faster

When developing new products, you want to get a product to market ASAP. But how do you do that without cutting corners on quality, performance and safety?

How should you add connectivity to your point-of-care device – build or buy?

When developing connectivity for your point-of-care diagnostic product, there are two main routes – build or buy. How do you know what’s right for you?

Why your manufacturer should be helping you drive product innovation

Colin Potter shares how Planet Innovation's manufacturing partnership with TOMI Environmental Solutions led to the development of a backpack version of its SteraMist decontamination product.

Point-of-Care testing is great for patients, but a tidal wave of admin for clinics – unless the device is connected

As consumers take more ownership over their healthcare, demand is rapidly growing for fast, convenient and accurate point-of-care (POC) tests. But with this migration to POC testing comes a tidal wave of admin that ambulatory clinics are often unprepared for.

How PI is giving staff the freedom to match their work style to their lifestyle

At PI, we believe that work is ‘what we do’ not ‘where we go’. That's why we've introduced new Ways of Working that empower our people to choose where, when and how they work to produce their best outcomes.

COVID has lit a fire under diagnostic testing – here is what point-of-care companies must do to step up in time

As demand for diagnostic and point-of-care (POC) testing grows, new products are coming to life faster than ever. Ben Druce, VP Strategic Design, shares insights from an expert panel discussion he hosted at the MD&M and BIOMEDigital event.

Stuart Elliott’s 3 Laws of Commercialization

Inventing a great product is pointless if nobody buys it. In my years in the medtech industry, I’ve discovered there are three fundamental laws of commercialization that you need to consider early in the product development process if you are to be successful.

Market disruption: blood testing beyond the status quo

Experts from Truvian, Blue Ox Healthcare Partners, the University of Chicago and PI discuss the potential impact of real-time point-of-care blood testing.

How to build a regulated remote patient monitoring product that clinicians and patients will actually use

With the COVID-19 pandemic shining a light on the benefits of telehealth, there has never been a better time to be in remote patient monitoring (RPM). But if you’re going to be successful, you need to win over your two main users: patients and clinicians.

How a virtual innovation workshop can be better than in-person

Over the past nine months, I’ve run multiple innovation workshops for clients entirely online. Here are some tips to ensure your virtual workshop is as engaging and productive as an in-person workshop.

Stuart Elliott responds to Australian Government's Modern Manufacturing Strategy

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the gaps in Australia’s manufacturing capacity, but has also highlighted its potential. We’re glad to see the Australian Government focusing on medical manufacturing because we know we can compete globally in this sector.

Cloud vs. on-premises solutions – 5 factors to consider when planning the connectivity strategy for your healthcare instrument

Building digital connectivity into your healthcare device or laboratory instrument makes it easy to collect data and automate activities, but is a cloud or on-premises connectivity solution the best fit for you?

If your digital health strategy isn’t driving earnings or learnings, what is it doing?

From start-ups to established companies, almost everyone in the life sciences and diagnostics industries is playing with digital health in one form or another. But how do you ensure this investment translates into commercial success for your company?

The EU Medical Device Regulations (EU MDR 2017/745) in a nutshell

With the European Medical Device Regulations deadline looming, we look at the major changes impacting medical device manufacturers and the release of a few guidance documents by the European Commission.

Stop your product failing by starting with a Product-Market Fit program

4 essentials for software development excellence

If we get the following four essentials right, we achieve software development excellence every time. And we do so at the least possible expense.

6 surprising ways eLearning could be the secret weapon of your next product launch

From training your team to empowering your customers, here are six reasons why you should consider including an online training package in your product launch strategy.

Three questions to ask before you sign a manufacturing contract

When it comes to choosing a manufacturer for your new product, there are a host of companies lining up to take your money. But with so many choices, how can you get this critical decision right?

Why commercial outcomes are better when designers work with manufacturers

When designers work with manufacturing experts from the start, their clients are the winners. Why? Costs fall, profits grow and products have a better chance of success.

Why unique technology is overrated in innovation

When it comes to innovation, I believe that ‘uniqueness’ is misunderstood and often overrated. Let me explain why.

American Chamber of Commerce asks PI for the secrets of how to build an innovative company

Speaking at an American Chamber of Commerce event, our Co-CEO and Co-founder Stuart Elliott offered insight into three fundamentals that organizations need to get right if they are serious about innovation.

5 reasons why aspiring entrepreneurs should join Planet Innovation

Thinking of launching a tech start-up? Here are five reasons why you should come and work for PI first.

Key ingredients for innovation

There’s rarely just one thing responsible for innovation. It is a combination of ingredients that deliver innovative thinking and behaviour. See if your company has these four ingredients in its mix.

Two ways every CEO can increase innovation

As CEO of a company that is challenged every day to deliver innovative solutions, I see two main areas where every CEO can help increase their company’s level of innovation.

Why products fail

In my experience, there are common themes that link the failure of new products, and I am often asked by anxious entrepreneurs for my top tips on preventing their products from becoming landfill and, by corollary, how they can make their products successful.

6 principles that deliver commercially successful products

The product development journey can be exciting but harrowing for even the most experienced company let alone the first time innovator. Here are a six principles that successful companies follow.

Design is more than skin deep

What makes a product great? Iconic? Whatever the quality, the decision is made, neither by the team that created it nor the marketer who sold it, but by the people who use  it. So that is where we start when we design a new product – with people. And that design must be more than skin deep.

Demystifying Voice-of-Customer research for regulated products

Good voice-of-customer (VoC) research requires you to be part detective and part psychologist. You are trying to solve a puzzle through questions and observations that will help you determine your product direction, your regulatory strategy and your commercialization path. And it’s not a simple puzzle to solve.

How to transform software from the villain to the hero of your next product

On paper, all software requirements look achievable. But for anyone who has been involved in developing new products, software is often the villain causing overruns and budget blow outs. Here are five strategies that I use to ensure the software team are seen as super heroes on your product development team.