JULY 2022LIFE SCIENCES REVIEW9Collaboration is the core of our open innovation ecosystem. In our network value chain we involve players, such as end users, clients and partners, but also start-ups, Research Centers and Universities, relying on specific Innovation Hubs or accelerators to stay at the forefront of innovation.This requires a radical change of mindset within the company. To do this, we have diffused an innovation culture within the company, actively involving all of our employees - regardless of their position - in communication activities and specific training courses, as well as inspiring corporate "evangelists" to be the voice of innovation, spreading it throughout the company. We strongly believe in this inclusive approach, as anyone can have a good idea worth developing. Yet, no good idea can encourage change if it is not met with action. We must make it happen. That's what our innovation model aims to do, speeding up the process from market analysis to prototypes and industrialization.Firstly, we start with an investigation phase based on real, human needs. Then, we identify all of the possible innovative solutions that can address these needs through a Design Thinking approach, which also allows us to prioritize the most promising innovative solutions. The definition of a partner, the wrapping up of a concept and the first prototype design are the next steps. A mock-up is then developed and continuously tested and analyzed in order to refine it and make it more adherent to the final product, through what we call a "Fast Factory" approach, inspired by the Lean Startup methodology. Finally, the prototype is run through a validation circle, with multiple tests by clients and end users to fine-tune response and better tackle consumers' needs, before going through a proof-of-concept phase and, finally, industrialization.This is our innovation flow that has allowed us to showcase several concepts and products so far ­ all well-received by the industry ­ reducing time-to-market and multiplying the R&D efforts of the company through the support of external stakeholders. That's why we define our Open Innovation approach as a real enabler in our growth strategy. We identified four opportunities for growth in our industry, four strategic pillars that we repute to be the main drivers of change in the pharmaceutical primary packaging market: usability, traceability, connectivity, sustainability
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