Bruno Cohen – Chair, Galien Foundation
Galien Foundation Becomes the Gold Standard for a Transformative Health Sector
In an era of rapid technological advancements, health access and innovation have been revolutionized by integrating digital technologies in biopharma processes, hospital system and patient care possibilities. From telemedicine and wearable devices to artificial intelligence-powered diagnostics to decentralized clinical trials, digital health technologies are ushering in a new era of patient care and healthcare delivery.
The digital health sector has grown significantly during the past decade, primarily mobilized to address unmet health-system and care needs. From $2 billion invested in 2011, that figure morphed 28-fold to $56 billion in 2021. In the shadow of the COVID pandemic, unprecedented investment poured into digital health during this two-year window, accelerating the adoption of AI, remote patient monitoring, telehealth, digital therapeutics, wearables, VR, and more.
To acknowledge and honor innovations transforming the health landscape, the Prix Galien Foundation, considered one of the life science sector’s highest honors, introduced an award category specifically dedicated to digital health technologies.
The Prix Galien Foundation and Its Mission
Founded in France in 1970, the Prix Galien was established to recognize outstanding pharmaceutical research and innovation achievements. Through the years, the Foundation has expanded its scope to encompass a broader range of health innovations, including biotechnology, medical devices, digital health technologies, and the communities that nurture these possibilities-incubators, accelerators and private equity. The Foundation’s mission is to highlight and celebrate the ideas and people significantly contributing to improving human health through groundbreaking discoveries.
Parameters of the Digital Health Award Category
After an extraordinary two-year pandemic funding spree, there are apparent shifts in how financial investors place their economic bets. In this year of geopolitical turmoil and uncertain financial performance, digital health remains vital to the future of the health economy and in addressing public health press points. However, investment factors include the development stages in which funds are directed, therapeutic categories selected, provider systems that demand transformation, and the regions where innovators establish headquarters.
The Prix Galien has taken on greater importance in this high-stakes economic environment. The introduction of the digital health award category by the Prix Galien Foundation was an essential step toward recognizing the transformative potential of these informational and connective technologies. It serves as an added note of third-party due diligence. For that reason, rigorous parameters determine who qualifies to be an award finalist to ensure that only the most deserving innovations are honored.
The criteria include:
- Innovation and Impact: One of the foremost criteria is innovation’s potential to significantly impact patient care and improve the healthcare systems or medical practice. The digital health solution must demonstrate an ability to address pressing patient-care challenges.
- Scientific Excellence: Scientific rigor and evidence-based research are critical in the evaluation. Nominees are assessed on the strength of their scientific data, including clinical trials, peer-reviewed publications, and an ability to accelerate access to care.
- Safety and Efficacy: Ensuring patient safety and the effectiveness of digital health technology is paramount. Award nominees should provide evidence of their technology’s safety and efficacy in real-world healthcare settings.
- Innovative Use of Technology: The award program recognizes digital health solutions leveraging technology to improve healthcare outcomes. Innovations that stand out for their creativity and originality are more likely to earn recognition.
- Accessibility and Affordability: Judges evaluate how accessible and affordable digital health technology is to a broad range of patients and healthcare providers. Solutions contributing to reducing healthcare disparities and increasing access to care are highly regarded.
- Quality of Life: Beyond clinical outcomes, the impact on the quality of life for patients is considered. Innovations that enhance the overall well-being and daily lives of individuals facing chronic conditions or healthcare challenges are remarkably esteemed.
- Sustainability and Scalability: The award program assesses how these solutions have the potential to be widely adopted and integrated into health systems.
The Judges’ Perspective
The judges for the digital health category of the Prix Galien Foundation award program comprise experts in various health and technology fields –many have held the title of chief executive officer of significant biopharma companies. Others have been deans of major medical schools. Then, there are the Nobel Prize laureates, who reaffirm the Prix Galien commitment to excellence in science. These judges bring a wealth of business and policy knowledge and experience to the evaluation process.
The Prix Galien Foundation’s recognition of digital health innovations is a testament to the evolving landscape of healthcare. In a world where technology is transforming every facet of our lives, it is crucial to celebrate and acknowledge the pioneers who are harnessing its power to improve healthcare outcomes. The digital health award category underscores the significance of these innovations in reshaping the future of medicine.
“Each year, the Awards Committee is astounded by the growing number of applicants and the level of passion, creativity and determination from the nominees developing their ideas into highly desirable solutions for patients worldwide. We applaud their unwavering commitment to improving the human condition and are honored to celebrate their achievements,” said Bernard Poussot, Prix Galien Committee Chair for the Medical Technology, Startups, Digital Health, and Incubators, Accelerators and Equity. Mr. Poussot is representative of the quality of the judges and is a Board Member of Roche Holding & Cargill Inc. and the former chairman and CEO of Wyeth, which Pfizer acquired.
By showcasing groundbreaking digital health technologies, the Prix Galien Foundation inspires future innovators and entrepreneurs to explore the intersection of healthcare and technology. It fosters a culture of innovation in healthcare. And most importantly, it sets a bar for excellence.
“It is a privilege to thank all of the nominees and winners, on behalf of the Prix Galien USA Awards Committee, for endeavoring to solve the most challenging problems in human health,” said Dr. Michael Rosenblatt, Chair of the Prix Galien USA Awards Committee, and a former Chief Medical Officer at Merk and Flagship Pioneering Ventures. “Year after year, we are amazed by the impressive achievements and the standard set by nominees for the Prix Galien Awards.”
The Prix Galien Foundation’s award program for digital health technologies is a testament to the transformative potential of technology in health –in advancing the development of new medicines, offering new patient-centered clinical solutions, and paving the way for algorithms to mine data to intervene and prevent disease. By establishing rigorous parameters and involving a panel of world-class judges, the Galien Foundation recognizes innovations that have the power to reshape the future of medicine. The insights and expertise of judges like Bernard Poussot underscore this recognition’s significance in advancing healthcare further.
Thanks to the criteria and judges –and the quality of entries– the Prix Galien Award program plays a pivotal role in driving innovation, promoting scientific rigor, and improving patient care on a global scale.
