Database

Despite continuous scientific breakthroughs, the gap between academia and industry remains one of the most persistent challenges in the life sciences innovation ecosystem. Within this context, the PROMOS project set out to actively address these barriers by fostering dialogue, collaboration, and concrete connections among researchers, companies, clinicians, and policymakers. Through a series of targeted networking events, the PROMOS Alliance has explored both the structural challenges and the practical solutions needed to accelerate the translation of research into real-world impact.

Insights collected from PROMOS partners and stakeholders confirm that the gap between academia and industry is not driven by a single issue, but by a combination of structural and cultural factors.

A central challenge lies in the misalignment of incentives and mindsets. Academic careers are still largely driven by publications and scientific recognition, while industry focuses on marketable solutions and commercial success. This difference often translates into divergent priorities, timelines, and expectations.

Another critical barrier is the limited mutual understanding between the two worlds. Researchers may lack awareness of industry needs and product development pathways, while companies often underestimate the potential of academic research.

Stakeholders also highlighted the impact of organizational and systemic constraints, including complex administrative and regulatory procedures, intellectual property management challenges and the lack of dedicated funding mechanisms for sustained collaboration.

Finally, the absence of shared environments, such as joint labs or co-working spaces, limits opportunities for continuous interaction. As several participants noted, effective collaboration should not be occasional, but embedded in daily practice and built from the early stages of research.

Alongside these challenges, stakeholders provided a clear set of actionable recommendations to strengthen academia–industry collaboration.

A recurring theme is the need to move from isolated initiatives to integrated ecosystems, by including joint R&D programs and industrial PhDs, shared research infrastructures and collaborative laboratories and participation in cross-border and EU initiatives to scale innovation.

Stakeholders also stressed the importance of developing a stronger business-oriented culture within academia. This can be achieved through targeted training and bootcamps, as well as educational initiatives on product development, regulatory pathways, and market access, particularly in highly regulated sectors such as medical devices.

Finally, improving the quality and frequency of in-person interactions remains essential. Face-to-face meetings, workshops, and informal exchanges continue to play a crucial role in building trust, aligning expectations, and fostering long-term partnerships.

Bridging the gap between academia and industry is not a single-step process, but a continuous effort requiring alignment, trust, and shared vision. The PROMOS Alliance demonstrates that by combining networking, funding opportunities, and cross-sector dialogue, it is possible to move toward a more integrated innovation ecosystem. Strengthening collaboration, fostering mutual understanding, and creating the right conditions for interaction are key to turning scientific excellence into tangible societal and economic impact.

To actively foster new collaborations, the PROMOS Alliance has also developed a dedicated database of stakeholders, including their expertise, needs, and collaboration interests. This tool is designed to help researchers, companies, and institutions identify potential partners and explore new opportunities for joint initiatives. The database is accessible here: Database PROMOS

If you wish to appear in the database, please contact: grants@icgeb.org