How MedTechLabs Was Created
"Is it possible to bring together leading researchers from different disciplines in a centre for the development of next-generation medical technology for diagnosis and treatment?"
Mats Danielsson, a physics professor at KTH and then chairman of the collaboration between KTH and Region Stockholm, had been inspired by the successful SciLifeLab and brought up this idea with KI researcher and physician Staffan Holmin. Together, they outlined the vision of creating a translational centre with high-level research, focused on patient and healthcare benefits. On the recommendation of colleagues and civil servants, they then approached Region Stockholm’s Director of Research, Jan Andersson.
The idea of MedTechLabs turned out to be timely. The construction of the new Karolinska University Hospital in Solna was nearing completion in 2016, and soon after, Jan Andersson and Maria Schönning, responsible for the region’s international development issues, were tasked with drafting Region Stockholm’s new R&D strategy. Jan Andersson realized that MedTechLabs could become one of the cornerstones of this strategy.
Mats Danielsson and Staffan Holmin requested a meeting with the presidents of KTH and KI to gain their support, while Jan Andersson simultaneously anchored the idea politically in the region’s Research and Innovation Committee. The final proposal for the centre’s structure and mission was supplemented with a funding model and the principle that researchers would retain ownership of their research results.
KI, KTH, and the region’s hospital directors were then asked to propose initial research areas for MedTechLabs. It was also suggested that all applications must be co-led by a senior researcher from KTH and a senior researcher from KI. The head of the relevant medical department affected by the project would also have to approve the application.
The official service statement was presented to the Regional Council in 2017, which also decided that MedTechLabs would be located within Bioclinicum, the new research building directly adjacent to Karolinska University Hospital. The leadership of KI and KTH approved the structural proposal and agreed to co-finance the centre. Thus, MedTechLabs was allocated an annual budget of 18 million SEK.
In the first call for proposals to MedTechLabs, several strong research groups applied and were awarded funding in three areas: imaging and function, including minimally invasive intervention, artificial intelligence, and bioelectronic medicine. The programs began in 2019.