INTRODUCTION: Clever or innovative technologies do not always translate to innovative products. A technology can provide seemingly unlimited potential across many indications but it is important for companies, patients and health systems that platform technologies are focused in areas of the most unmet need and optimal returns. We take a case study of a technology that could reduce costs, and improve the accuracy of biosensors, potentially changing existing pathways and clinical testing, but also creating new opportunities by producing test results quicker and at point of care. But with so much potential – where should the initial development be focused on?

OBJECTIVES: To develop a tool to prioritise product development, and optimise where such innovation is best applied, and which “tests” , in which therapy area and indication should be targeted?

METHODS: Initial criteria, principles, and scope for the tool were developed through a series of workshops. There were 5 main criteria; clinical validity of existing biomarker, commercial attractiveness, clinical value of existing test on disease/treatment pathway, opportunity for differentiation and technical feasibility. Products could be differentiated by criteria such as time to results, multiplexing, ease of implementation, patient experience, budget or economic impact, competitiveness. For each criteria an agreed weighting was applied and then a ranking system was used to determine the winners and losers. Various databases were used to capture a range of diagnostic tests (Evaluate, WHO “essential” diagnostics, and targeted literature review). Each test was scored during an iterative process and the resulting matrix used to recommend product development targets.

RESULTS: This approach narrowed down a field of 170 potential tests, to a shortlist of 14 tests with a strong rationale, clinically and commercially credible and feasible.

CONCLUSIONS: It is important at the outset of a platform technology to conduct a rigorous assessment of opportunity, to optimise development.