Fostering Collaboration for Paediatric Demand-Driven Innovation: Insights and Strategies from the ADD4KIDS Working Groups

Abstract

Innovació pediàtrica; Col·laboració en salut infantil; Innovació impulsada per la demanda

Pediatric innovation; Collaboration in child health; Demand-driven innovation (DDI)

Innovación pediátrica; Colaboración en salud infantil; Innovación impulsada por la demanda

The ADD4KIDS project aimed to enhance demand-driven innovation (DDI) in paediatric healthcare by addressing key barriers to adoption, including regulatory complexities, limited stakeholder awareness, risk aversion, and budget constraints. While innovation in healthcare has been growing, a European consensus on paediatric DDI remains absent. Launched in 2024 and funded by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency, under the Horizon Europe Programme, ADD4KIDS brought together leading institutions to develop a collaborative roadmap for integrating DDI in paediatrics. Using structured working groups and the Theory of Change (ToC) methodology, the project identified challenges, proposed strategic interventions, and fostered cross-border collaboration. The ADD4KIDS working groups served as a cornerstone of this initiative, bringing together clinicians, researchers, policymakers, procurement specialists, innovators and industry leaders to analyse barriers, define best practices, and develop actionable strategies. These groups focused on key areas such as aligning innovation with paediatric needs, streamlining procurement processes, enhancing cross-border collaboration, and improving funding mechanisms. Their insights informed a European action plan designed to facilitate sustainable DDI adoption and improve long-term paediatric healthcare outcomes.