Two more hospitals join the Beachhead network

MONTREAL – The pan-Canadian Consortium for Industrial Research and Innovation in Medical Technology – known as MEDTEQ+ – is pleased to announce the growth of its Canadian and international network of Beachhead Centres of Excellence, a program.

Two additional centres have joined the network: the Vancouver General Hospital, a level one trauma centre and quaternary care centre and main referral site for the province of British Columbia, and the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal.

They join the other partners in the network, among others: the McGill University Health Center, the Centre hospitalier de l’université de Montréal, the CHU de Québec – Université Laval, the Research Center of the Douglas Hospital of the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal with the Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) of McGill University and the McGill University Health Center, Alberta Health Services and The Ottawa Hospital.

Each Beachhead centre, in addition to a start-up grant of up-to $100,000, is supported by the MEDTEQ+ team and benefits from its large membership and contribution in specific projects. Nearly $1 million is being invested into the network this year, with another million planned for the integration of future centres.

“We are proud to welcome these new members as they complement our Beachhead network with their unique expertise in health innovation. This active collaboration formula, on a cross country and international basis, supports Canadian leadership in strategic healthtech domains including artificial intelligence, biomaterials, advanced imaging and human performance” declared Diane Côté (pictured), CEO of MEDTEQ+.

The MEDTEQ+ Beachhead program is an alliance between Centres of Excellence and industry to accelerate the adoption of value-based innovations and their integration in the delivery of care domestically and abroad. Network members share evaluation processes, Beachhea certified technologies and training best practices to optimise the implementation of Canadian technologies.

“Innovation is a strategic priority at Vancouver Coastal Health, one of the province’s largest health authorities. We value our role as a leader in bringing evidence-based innovation into the delivery of the best emergency and trauma care,” said Dr. Christopher Lee, MD, department of emergency medicine at Vancouver General Hospital. “As a Beachhead we have the opportunity to collaborate with partners across Canada to deliver technology-enabled solutions in an emergency care setting.”

“The Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (CIUSSS NIM) is proud to join the Canadian and international network of Beachhead centres of excellence as Beachhead NIM INTELLIANCE,” declared CIUSSS NIM chief executive officer Dr. Frédéric Abergel.

“Beachhead NIM INTELLIANCE will occupy the intelligent health niche and benefit from the expertise of its research, teaching and innovation department,” Dr. Abergel said. “We will thereby embody a choice innovative environment for the implementation of new technologies developed to maximize the skills of healthcare staff, improve users’ health and meet the challenges of the health and social services sector.”

Over 15 Canadian companies, particularly in digital technologies, have already benefited from the support offered by the Beachhead network. Among these companies, Therappx, HOP Technologies, Panthera and Aifred Health have had the opportunity to connect with new partners, to work in synergy with clinical experts and to develop the value-based evidence supporting their innovations.

“Our initial group of Beachhead sites were launched last year, focusing on the acceleration of their validation activities in specific areas of expertise and through dedicated innovation-focused resources. It’s all about confirming companies’ value proposals and facilitating the adoption of their solutions,” said François Bergeron, VP partnerships of MEDTEQ+.

About MEDTEQ+
MEDTEQ+ is the pan-Canadian Consortium for Industrial Research and Innovation in Medical Technology. Its mission is to accelerate the development of innovative technological solutions to improve patients’ health and quality of life. MEDTEQ+ supports their validation and integration in the healthcare system and their impact, both locally and globally, by bringing together the complementary skills of industrial and academic partners, and with those of healthcare providers. MEDTEQ+ relies on the financial support of the Government of Quebec, the Government of Canada (delivered through the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR)), the private sector and complementary partners to foster research-industry relations. Visit www.medteq.ca.