Leveraging AI to Enhance Innovation Efficiency in the MedTech Sector AI Applications and Strategies for Enhancing Innovation Efficiency: A Case Study in the MedTech Sector

Sammanfattning

The MedTech industry is experiencing rapid technological change and facing evolvinghealthcare needs, which puts pressure on actors to innovate efficiently and stay competitive.At the same time, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative tool with thepotential to enhance efficiency. However, despite its potential, the adoption of AI within theMedTech sector remains limited. The aim of the thesis is therefore to examine how MedTechcompanies can leverage AI to enhance innovation efficiency. The main research question isexplored through the lens of an innovation process framework, consisting of the three phases:Idea, R&D, and Commercialization. Within this framework, four key areas have beenidentified with the potential to improve overall efficiency by the integration of AI, namely:Knowledge Management, Patent Analytics, Market and Customer Analysis, and ResourceAllocation. In addition, the study addresses important aspects of implementing AI withinorganizations to optimize the possible outcomes.A single case study has been conducted analyzing a MedTech company, which was selected asit constitutes a suitable case to explore the research question. The methodology consists of aliterature review followed by an interview study. The literature presents the current state of AIapplications in the four focus areas defined and reviews opportunities and challengesregarding implementation. The interview study included participants both working at thecompany studied, to depict its current practices and needs, and individuals at otherorganizations who are at the forefront of AI adoption, to gain best-practice perspectives andexpert insights.The results show that AI technologies have great potential in enhancing innovation efficiencyin the MedTech industry. AI helps to improve the flow of information inside the organization,strengthen intellectual property strategies, enhance market and customer insight, and optimizeresource allocation between projects. However, to achieve those benefits, a highly coordinatedstrategy with top-down support is necessary. Thus, the thesis concludes that a structured andhuman-centered approach to AI adoption is essential for companies in the complex and highlyregulated MedTech landscape to remain competitive and achieve long-term innovationsuccess.