医工連携と手術機器開発—イノベーション・プロデューサーの役割

Medtech collaboration and medical device development : The role of “innovation producers”

◆要旨：医工連携，産学連携による医療機器開発の現状を，我が国と諸外国との違いを含め概説した．医師と既存企業の連携を主体とする日本式の研究開発には，真のニーズから乖離した製品が生まれる，国際展開のタイミングが遅れる，といった課題が指摘されている．人材の流動化が進まない我が国においては，医と工，産と学の融合領域に位置し，熱意をもって能動的にプロジェクトを推進するイノベーション・プロデューサーの役割が注目されている．

　This paper outlines the current state of medical device development through medical-engineering collaboration and industry-academia collaboration, including differences between Japan and other countries. The Japanese model of reserch and development（R&D）, primarily based on collaboration between physicians and established small and medium enterprises（SMEs）, has been criticized for producing products that deviate from true clinical needs and for delayed oversea business expansion. In Japan, where talent mobility remains limited, the role of “innovation producers”-who position at the intersection of medicine and engineering, industry and academia, and actively drive projects with passion - is gaining attention.