Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT), a global leader in healthcare technology, today announced the launch of the Medtronic Open Innovation Platform (OIP) for APAC. The OIP will bring strategic collaboration in healthcare technologies from various innovators across the Asia-Pacific and several stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem through capability development, partnerships and business organizations networking in the areas of medical technology and digital health.

Focusing on the unique healthcare needs of the APAC, this first-of-its-kind platform will enable Medtronic to explore and advance partnership opportunities that can help it leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to address patient needs. Medtronic proposes to invest up to US$50 million, over a period of five years, starting from FY22, to support capability development of talent and technology.

“Building on the entrepreneurial spirit that we share with other companies including our Medtronic OIP start-ups serves as a launchpad for us to grow new ideas, empower an innovative ecosystem and translate this collaboration into actionable outcomes. Medtronic is one of the best destinations for innovation and innovators due to its large and diverse portfolio across 70 disease states. This is indeed aligned to our new brand and bold ambition to become the global healthcare technology leader, with a focus on AI, robotics, automation, IoT and digital health,” said Chris Lee, president for Asia Pacific, Medtronic.

As part of the OIP, Medtronic also launched the Medtronic APAC Innovation Challenge (MAIC), where business organizations in APAC will have the opportunity to showcase innovative medical technology solutions in one of the four domains – namely, ‘Life Transforming Technologies’, ‘Better Outcomes for All’, ‘Experiences that Put People First’ and ‘Insight Driven Care’.

MAIC will provide an opportunity to selected participants to collaborate with Medtronic to further develop and innovate their solutions with the guidance of Medtronic.

MAIC, which is open for submissions now, is scheduled to take place alongside the Medtronic Asia Innovation Conference in the first quarter of 2022 and will be hosted at Medtronic’s regional headquarters in Singapore.

The top five winners of the MAIC may have the opportunity to partner with Medtronic to explore joint commercialisation of products and/or run commercial pilots for their proposed MedTech or digital health product solutions.

“Medtronic has always disrupted the market with innovative technologies and solutions. This time with MAIC, we are offering a platform to reach the most disruptive business organisations that can contribute to accelerating the global healthcare goals. Through the Innovation Challenge, we are inviting the best entrepreneurial minds in the country to catapult their vision for India into reality. The program also aligns with Government of India’s vision to promote Make in India,” said Madan Krishnan, vice president and managing director, Medtronic India.

In addition to MAIC, and as part of the OIP, Medtronic will also open its first-ever Digital Medtronic Innovation Centre (dMIC) in Singapore. When completed, the facility will offer a collaborative space for an all-round immersive experience of product and therapy innovation.

Medtronic has been at the forefront of promoting talent and innovation within India through a plethora of programs like the recent partnership with Stasis Health Private Limited for scaling up and expanding access for their state-of-the-art Stasis Monitor, a connected care bedside multi parameter monitoring system. Through the two R&D centers in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, Medtronic also engages with STEM graduates and the best engineering talent to foster innovation in healthcare.

Medtronic APAC Innovation Challenge opened on October 14 with submissions open till November 26. For more information about the MAIC, please visit http://maic.medtronic.com/.

About Medtronic

Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 90,000+ passionate people across 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for all. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic (NYSE:MDT), visit www.Medtronic.com and follow @Medtronic on Twitter and LinkedIn.