On February 8, at the site of the Single Distributor "SK-Pharmacy", a meeting was held with representatives of the National Agency for the Development of Innovations "QazInnovations" represented by the Chairman of the Board Sanat Akhanov, the director of the Innovation Ecosystem Development Center Madiyar Abilov, the manager-coordinator of the project Amir Kuat and the chief analyst of the Center development of the innovation ecosystem of Taneliya Dautbaeva.
The main topic on the agenda was the implementation of technological forecasting (Foresight) in the direction of "MedTech" to assess the country's innovative potential in the field of pharmaceuticals and the production of medical equipment. This involves identifying promising products, services and technologies with high added value, as well as improving production processes.
Technical forecasting or Foresight is a system of methods for expert evaluation of strategic areas of socio-economic and innovative development, identifying technological breakthroughs that can have an impact on the economy and society in the medium and long term.
In simple terms, foresight is a systematic attempt to assess the long-term perspectives of science, technology, the economy and society in order to identify strategic directions for research and new technologies that can bring the greatest socio-economic benefits.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the latest meeting of the Technology Policy Council under the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which became the basis for organizing technology forecasting. QazInnovations shared about the work done on behalf of and shared with the implementation plans. Now the company is actively forming a team for the Foresight, developing the research concept and the Target Technology Program.
There was an exchange of experience and vision regarding the development of technologies and innovations in the field of medicine. Conducting Foresight will increase the level of competitiveness of enterprises in world markets and ensure an increase in the level and quality of life of the population.
Especially, technological forecasting will be an effective tool in creating medical and pharmaceutical clusters at free economic and industrial R&D centers in the development of the country's pharmaceutical sector. This initiative intends to unite existing and create new enterprises for the production of innovative medicines and medical devices, medical equipment, with the participation of research institutes, universities, technology parks and other organizations.
Medical and pharmaceutical clusters will be created in Astana, Aktobe and Shymkent. Each has its own specifics. The Shymkent cluster is aimed at the production of medicines, the Aktobe cluster zone is aimed at the production of medical equipment, and the capital cluster will be focused on the intellectual support of the pharmaceutical industry.
The organization of Foresight on localization projects for the production of drugs with BigPharma companies will give impetus to entering the domestic market of innovative pharmaceutical products.
During the meeting, an agreement was reached on cooperation and assistance from SK-Pharmacy to form an expert base to involve in the process of conducting technological forecasting, technological audit and development of the Target Technology Program, ensuring operational interaction and exchange of information as part of technological forecasting in the MedTech direction and providing information support.
It should be noted that according to current global trends, MedTech is one of the priority technological areas for the development of technologies and innovations in the country for the maximum concentration of available resources.
In conclusion, the parties expressed confidence in the relevance of organizing technological forecasting in the MedTech direction, noting their readiness to continue cooperation in the field of innovation and holding local meetings on specific initiatives and areas.
Reference:
JSC "National Agency for the Development of Innovations" QazInnovations "according to the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan is a national development institution in the field of innovative development and an innovative observatory. QazInnovations participates in the formation of initiatives within the framework of the implementation of the technological policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the provision of innovative grants, methodological support for the development of innovative infrastructure (technology platforms, industry centers of technological competence, business incubators), etc. Foresight (from the English Foresight - “foresight”) is a technology and communication format that allows participants to agree on the images of the future, and also, having determined the desired one, agree on actions in its context. If we talk about foresight as a global research project, then this methodology goes back to the 1950s. It was invented in the USA by the RAND Corporation (Eng. Research and Development, an American NPO with the function of a strategic research center working on orders from the government and the US Armed Forces), after which it spread to South Korea, Japan and other countries.