To explore opportunities for partnership or knowledge transfer, please contact K.Kotiadis@kent.ac.uk
Kathy Kotiadis – Professor of Management Science/Operational Research, CADDA Project Director
Diagnostic innovations hold immense promise for improving health outcomes across both human and animal health systems. However, successful development and adoption require more than scientific breakthroughs; they demand a deep understanding of market needs and operational realities.
CADDA champions a holistic approach that integrates business tools, such as simulation modelling, to assess the real-world impact of new diagnostics. We actively seek collaborations with stakeholders and offer diagnostic developers access to expertise in leveraging virtual environments to demonstrate the potential value of their innovations while navigating system constraints. CADDA invites SMEs and health system partners to explore collaborative opportunities that bridge science and business for impactful diagnostic solutions.
Innovations in diagnostics have the potential to significantly improve the lives of both humans and animals. These advancements may involve the creation of entirely new diagnostic tools or enhancements to existing ones such as increased accuracy and precision (e.g. improved sensitivity), faster results (e.g. through AI integration), or reduced costs (e.g. via streamlined supply chains). The scope for innovation in diagnostics is vast, and meaningful change can be achieved through a diverse portfolio of studies.
Professionals supporting the journey from diagnostic innovation to market, such as translation officers, often encourage founders to pursue business research alongside scientific development. At one of the launch events for the Centre for Advanced Diagnostic Development and Application (CADDA), a speaker emphasized the importance of understanding the market before entering the lab. At another event, a distinguished scientist shared a cautionary tale: a point-of-care diagnostic product they developed required longer appointment times than healthcare professionals were permitted to allocate, making the product initially unsuitable for implementation.
This is why CADDA advocates for a holistic approach to diagnostic development, where business considerations are given equal weight to scientific breakthroughs.
In business school education, it is usual practice that market research should precede product development, helping to define the “ideal” specifications for a design. However, in practice, many diagnostics are initially developed with a focus on providing a technical solution which is only then followed by market and other business research. Others may conduct market research early on, only to discover that the ideal product specifications are not feasible within current system constraints. So, what happens then? Should the diagnostic development be abandoned?
Fortunately, there is a path forward. It involves working closely with stakeholders in the health system to demonstrate that the benefits of adopting a new diagnostic outweigh any operational challenges. This, however, must be substantiated with evidence.
One powerful business tool available to CADDA for exploring changes in health systems is simulation modelling. Simulation involves replicating a system to help stakeholders better understand its dynamics and evaluate alternative strategies. Widely used in business to enhance operational and resource efficiency, simulation helps identify bottlenecks, improve flow, and reduce throughput times. Many Fortune 500 companies maintain in-house simulation expertise.
Modern simulation software often includes animated visualisations that illustrate patient movement through a system, making it easier for stakeholders to grasp the impact of proposed changes. These virtual environments offer a safe space to explore future possibilities, without compromising patient safety or overburdening staff.
CADDA houses this expertise and other expertise found within a business school such as optimisation, marketing, data analytics, machine learning, finance and welcomes collaborative projects with SMEs and health systems (human or animal). To explore opportunities for partnership or knowledge transfer, please contact K.Kotiadis@kent.ac.uk.