The Life Science Exchange: a case study of a sectoral and sub-sectoral knowledge exchange programme.
BACKGROUND
Local and national governments have implemented sector-specific policies to support economic development through innovation, entrepreneurship and knowledge exchange. Supported by the Welsh Government through the European Regional Development Fund, The Life Science Exchange® project was created with the aim to increase interaction between stakeholders, to develop more effective knowledge exchange mechanisms, and to stimulate the formation and maintenance of long-term collaborative relationships within the Welsh life sciences ecosystem. The Life Science Exchange allowed participants to interact with other stakeholder communities (clinical, academic, business, governmental), exchange perspectives and discover new opportunities.


METHODS
Six sub-sector focus groups comprising over 200 senior stakeholders from academia, industry, the Welsh Government and National Health Service were established. Over 18 months, each focus group provided input to inform healthcare innovation policy and knowledge mapping exercises of their respective sub-sectors. Collaborative projects identified during the focus groups and stakeholder engagement were further developed through sandpit events and bespoke support.


RESULTS
Each sub-sector focus group produced a report outlining the significant strengths and opportunities in their respective areas of focus, made recommendations to overcome any 'system failures', and identified the stakeholder groups which needed to take action. A second outcome was a stakeholder-driven knowledge mapping exercise for each area of focus. Finally, the sandpit events and bespoke support resulted in participants generating more than £1.66 million in grant funding and inward investment. This article outlines four separate outcomes from the Life Science Exchange programme.


CONCLUSIONS
The Life Science Exchange process has resulted in a multitude of collaborations, projects, inward investment opportunities and special interest group formations, in addition to securing over ten times its own costs in funding for Wales. The Life Science Exchange model is a simple and straightforward mechanism for a regional or national government to adapt and implement in order to improve innovation, skills, networks and knowledge exchange.
Health Informatics Group, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales, United Kingdom. BrianLeePerkins@gmail.com.
Brian Lee
BL
Perkins
Health Informatics Group, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales, United Kingdom.
Rob
R
Garlick
Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, Wales, United Kingdom.
Jodie
J
Wren
Health Informatics Group, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales, United Kingdom.
Jon
J
Smart
Health Informatics Group, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales, United Kingdom.
Julie
J
Kennedy
Wound Biology Group, Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair, School of Dentistry, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XY, Wales, United Kingdom.
Phil
P
Stephens
MediWales, The Bonded Warehouse, Cardiff, CF10 4HF, Wales, United Kingdom.
Gwyn
G
Tudor
Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, Wales, United Kingdom.
Jonathan
J
Bisson
Health Informatics Group, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales, United Kingdom.|MediWales, The Bonded Warehouse, Cardiff, CF10 4HF, Wales, United Kingdom.
David V
DV
Ford
D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005381:Financing, Organized; D017144:Focus Groups; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D019359:Knowledge
Innovation; Knowledge exchange; Life sciences; Mapping sectoral; Methods; Policy; Wales