In the June article from the “12 at 12” series, we take a closer look at the MedSilesia Innovation Showroom in Gliwice. It is a unique space where new technologies can be tested, refined, and prepared for market entry even before they reach everyday clinical practice.
The transformation of healthcare no longer begins with the purchase of new technology. It starts with understanding user needs, testing solutions in real-world conditions, and connecting the potential of science, business, and the healthcare system. In the era of artificial intelligence, hospital digitalization, and a rapidly growing number of medical innovations, the greatest challenge is no longer creating technology – it is implementing it effectively.
This is why Living Lab models where innovations can be developed, tested, and refined together with end users – are playing an increasingly important role. One of the most advanced examples of this approach in Poland is the MedSilesia Innovation Showroom (MIS), launched in Gliwice by the MedSilesia Cluster and the Upper Silesian Accelerator of Market Entrepreneurship.
Why does MedTech need a “living laboratory”?
The MedTech sector is currently at a turning point. Solutions leveraging artificial intelligence, medical data analytics, robotics, telemedicine, and technologies supporting elderly care are emerging faster than ever before. At the same time, increasing specialization among manufacturers means that properly equipping a care environment often requires integrating devices from multiple providers. Until these solutions are tested together, there is no certainty that, for example, a specific type of bed will work effectively with a rehabilitation device or a robotic arm.
At the same time, statistics show that many innovative products never reach the stage of widespread implementation. One reason is that technologies are often developed without sufficient involvement of end users.
As a result, even highly advanced solutions require numerous adjustments – despite appearing finished and polished – while the market ultimately verifies their effectiveness.
The Living Lab model reverses this logic. It assumes that technologies are tested before implementation, in an environment that closely mirrors real-life conditions. This approach enables faster detection of flaws, better alignment of functionalities with user needs, and a reduction in investment risk.
MedSilesia Innovation Showroom – more than a showroom
Although its name suggests an exhibition space, the MedSilesia Innovation Showroom was not created to present finished products.
It is not a traditional showroom or display area. It is a practical tool for working on innovation – a place where solutions can be tested and validated in real-world conditions with the involvement of end users.
This is precisely what sets MIS apart from many similar initiatives. The goal is not to showcase technology, but to accelerate its path to implementation.
Within the MedSilesia Innovation Showroom, the following activities are planned:
- testing of medical devices and prototypes,
- consumer validation,
- product compatibility studies,
- consultations with end users,
- educational and training activities,
- presentations of new solutions for hospitals, local governments, and industry partners.
The foundation of its operations is the Test Before Invest (Tb4i) philosophy – “check before you invest.” This enables companies to reduce product development risk, while potential buyers can verify real value before making purchasing decisions.
AI and digitalization – a new challenge for Polish hospitals
In recent years, artificial intelligence has become one of the key drivers of innovation in healthcare. Systems supporting imaging diagnostics, algorithms analyzing patient data, and predictive solutions for hospitals are no longer a vision of the future.
However, the challenge lies in the fact that most healthcare institutions operate within highly complex IT environments. Even the best AI algorithm will not be useful if it cannot integrate with hospital information systems (HIS), electronic medical records, or diagnostic equipment.
That is why one of the development areas of MIS is the SMART_DIGITAL service, aimed at supporting digital transformation and the integration of medical equipment with hospital systems. This model allows manufacturers to test interoperability and verify data flows between different IT environments before implementing solutions in medical facilities.
From technology to implementation – a new commercialization model
The biggest challenge of the Polish MedTech market today is not a lack of ideas. The real issue is the so‑called “valley of death of innovation” – the stage between the completion of R&D work and the first market implementation. Surviving this phase is not only about funding, but also about the ability to convince end users that an innovation works, improves quality of life, enhances processes, delivers new value, or solves a real problem.
Many startups have promising technologies but lack access to testing environments, end users, or clinical partners. MIS was designed precisely to fill this gap.
Entrepreneurs can not only present their solutions but also confront them with feedback from doctors, caregivers, patients, and experts. As a result, the commercialization process becomes faster, more cost-effective, and more predictable.
This represents a shift from the model of “first build, then sell” to “first test, then implement.”
Gliwice – a regional hub for medical innovation
It is no coincidence that the project is being developed in Gliwice. For years, the city has been building its position as one of Poland’s leading centers for new technologies. A strong scientific base, an active entrepreneurial community, and well-developed innovation infrastructure have created the conditions for an ecosystem that supports the development of medical technologies.
The MedSilesia Cluster brings together over 130 entities representing business, science, and healthcare, making it the largest medical technology cluster in Poland. This enables the creation of a collaborative model that includes local governments, universities, hospitals, social organizations, and international partners.
As emphasized during the inauguration by the Mayor of Gliwice, Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka, innovation in healthcare can develop effectively at the local level when different communities work together.
The future of healthcare begins with collaboration
For many years, medical innovations were developed mainly in laboratories and corporate R&D departments. Today, it is increasingly clear that the successful implementation of new technologies requires a much broader approach.
What is needed is dialogue between science, business, hospitals, local governments, and end users. What is needed are spaces where technology can be tested before it reaches everyday clinical practice.
The MedSilesia Innovation Showroom is an example of such an approach. It combines the Living Lab concept, healthcare digitalization, the development of artificial intelligence, and modern models for the commercialization of medical technologies. Above all, it demonstrates that the future of medicine does not depend solely on new technologies. It depends on the openness of innovators, the ability to engage in dialogue with the market, the trust of investors, and finding smart and effective ways to implement solutions.
Authors
Izabela Czeremcha – Manager of the MedSilesia National Key Cluster, which brings together over 130 entities from the MedTech sector, primarily Polish medical device manufacturers. She is a member of the Silesian Innovation Council and the Working Group for National Smart Specialization (KIS 1 – Healthy Society). In her daily work, she operates within the Upper Silesian Accelerator of Entrepreneurship and Development, one of the key business support institutions in Silesia and the coordinator of the MedSilesia Cluster. She focuses on building effective and sustainable science–business relationships and is actively involved in international projects. She is responsible for management, coordination of thematic groups, development of flagship projects, and ongoing collaboration with companies and R&D units.
Dr. Paweł Lejman – Economist and engineer, academic lecturer, and specialist in knowledge commercialization, finance, and the Silver Economy. He combines academic, business, and project experience to support the development of innovative solutions and cooperation between science, industry, and business support institutions.