Philips and Region of Southern Denmark sign memorandum of understanding to develop an open innovation forum for sustainable healthcare

Both parties intend to investigate joint business opportunities for future sustainable healthcare systems by opening a Research & Design center in the Science Park in Odense.

Eindhoven, The Netherlands – Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Region of Southern Denmark to explore the benefits of open innovation and solution co-creation. The parties intend to investigate joint business opportunities by opening a Research & Design office in the Science Park in Odense in 2013. 

The healthcare system in Denmark is undergoing a major transformation with the building of nine new hospitals and hospital units over the next 10 years. Not since the early seventies have a building project of this scale taken place in Denmark, these are challenging projects for both the public and private partners. At the same time, it is an ideal opportunity to re-think and greatly improve the productivity of Danish healthcare, thereby contributing to the creation of a sustainable and affordable healthcare system.

Platforms for open innovation and co-creation have already been established in Region of Southern Denmark - for example, at the Innovation Center in the region’s Science Park. Living labs in regional somatic and psychiatric care facilities and in social housing developments have also been established.

Locating Philips research and design staff in Region of Southern Denmark so that they can be actively involved to piloting, testing and evaluating patient-centered innovations around the customers, will proved them with valuable insights and increase the speed and efficiency with which R&D results can be brought to market. It will also provide a network for setting up clinical studies and clinical validation of new healthcare propositions.

“We are committed to ensuring the highest quality of medical care, and by partnering with Philips we will be able to treat patients with the latest, evidence-based medical technology in patient-focused healing environments,” said Carl Holst, Chairman of Region of Southern Denmark. “Together with the clinical excellence and professional expertise of the specialists in our innovation centers and labs, it will allow us to deliver an exceptional standard of healthcare innovation in the region."

Philips is convinced that Region of Southern Denmark will be a progressive central-player in implementing the Danish national healthcare plan.

“Philips is delighted to be partnering with Region of Southern Denmark to help realize their aim of developing innovative solutions for the Danish healthcare system”, says Frans van Houten, CEO Royal Philips Electronics. “This collaboration is an important step for Philips and we see Denmark as a key partnership country in relation to developing leading-edge innovative solutions for future healthcare systems”.

The memorandum of understanding between Philips and Region of Southern Denmark will be signed today in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

Images of the signing ceremony can be downloaded in the late afternoon of December 18th from: http://www.dealersupport.se/imagebank4/products/id/222

About Region of Southern Denmark
Region of Southern Denmark's main area is health care. It has overall responsibility for regional development and support for the region’s municipalities. Openness, dialogue and citizen involvement are the guiding principles for interaction between Region of Southern Denmark on the one hand and local authorities, the business community, knowledge institutions and private citizens on the other. News from Region of Southern Denmark is located at http://www.regionsyddanmark.dk/wm157175