IE School of Science and Technology and Boehringer Ingelheim foster innovation through the Health Data Lab
IE School of Science and Technology and Boehringer Ingelheim have formed an innovative partnership through the Impact Xcelerator (iX) program to harness the power of data science and artificial intelligence for healthcare innovation. This collaboration establishes the Health Data Lab and focuses on applied research, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation, preparing the next generation of leaders in the health and data field.
Together with Boehringer Ingelheim's Digital Lab BI X, the new partnership aims to perform a series of joint activities to create concrete outcomes based on leveraging value from health data.
On Oct. 30, the Impact Xcelerator team, led by Dean Ikhlaq Sidhu, met with the team from Boehringer Ingelheim and BI X led by Dr. Brigitte Fuhr, Head of Central Data Science & UX at Boehringer Ingelheim’s headquarters to start the ideation process. The partnership will produce highly applied research proposals and new venture pitches aligned with the industry’s needs and Boehringer Ingelheim’s specific requirements to generate research activity that guides innovation for Boehringer Ingelheim and its patients.
This partnership also supports Boehringer Ingelheim’s ambition to be recognized as an attractive employer in the field of data science & AI, driving healthcare innovation. “Access to health data and data science skills are crucial strategic assets for Boehringer Ingelheim,” says Brigitte Fuhr, Head of Central Data Science & UX at Boehringer Ingelheim. “Our collaboration with IE University and its exceptional researchers allows us to remain at the forefront of this development and attract top-tier talent in the data realm. This ultimately enables us to deliver faster and better medication to patients and animals in need.”
Open innovation projects developed from the lab will provide case studies and real content for graduation projects and other curriculum additions for IE University students, supporting their advancement in the health and data field. Ikhlaq Sidhu, Dean of IE School of Science and Technology, expressed his excitement about the partnership, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Boehringer Ingelheim to shape the future of the health sector and its increasingly important connection with data. This partnership allows us to foster innovation while preparing our next generation of leaders with the support of Boehringer Ingelheim.”
BI X, Boehringer Ingelheim's digital lab, plays a crucial role in directing the focus of various activities, such as workshops, research initiatives, and talks. Christoph Brabandt, Head of Ideation & Scouting at BI X, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "By leveraging IE University's extensive academic network, we aim to foster innovation and inspire creativity by transforming research into a collaborative 'impact workshop' full of potential. We eagerly anticipate the exciting results that this vibrant network will produce."