Journey of Innovation – Decoding China’s Innovation Ecosystem with Latin America’s No.1 Hospital
China and Brazil have both gained global attention in recent years as hotspots for technological innovation. Despite being geographically distant and located on opposite ends of the world, these countries share similarities in terms of economic development, culture, and education. As a result, they have both embraced a strong belief in driving social development through technological innovation and have crafted unique models that cater to their specific needs.
In Brazil, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein stands out as a leading institution in South America, consistently ranking among the top 50 globally according to the Newsweek. Not only does it excel in medical technology, medical education, and research, but it has also developed its own distinctive system for fostering medical technological innovations.
Great minds think alike. Mindray, with its innovative technological strategies, has established itself as a prominent player in the global medical device industry.
These two organizations share a common passion for innovation, which has brought them together on a journey to explore the most effective methodologies in the world. This time, their focus is China.
About Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
The Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (a.k.a. Albert Einstein Hospital) in Brazil, established in 1955 and officially operational since the 1970s, is a private healthcare group. It has been named the best hospital in Latin America for four consecutive years (Newsweek) and was also one of the first institutions in the region to be certified by the Joint Commission, a gold standard for medical safety and quality.
In 2000, Albert Einstein Hospital took over the operations of several public hospitals from the government and launched a graduate teaching program at the end of that year. This expansion broadened their social responsibility, accelerated the training of medical professionals, and contributed to the improvement of the healthcare system in Brazil.
Today, Hospital Einstein has become a comprehensive hospital encompassing multiple disciplines such as gastroenterology, cardiology, oncology, neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, orthopedics, urology, and more. It has 2000 beds, manages around 50 medical institutions, and has a staff of over 20,000 employees.
A Giant in Medical Innovation Sets Its Sights on China
Albert Einstein Hospital is among the pioneering medical institutes that established an incubator for medical technology innovations within its ecosystem. Approximately seven years ago, Albert Einstein Hospital launched its own incubator, Eretz.bio (Ecossistema de inova??o e startups do Hospital Albert Einstein). To date, this incubator has successfully nurtured over 120 companies.
Albert Einstein Hospital considers education and scientific research as the engine of medical innovation. The hospital has established teaching and training centers in several locations in Brazil, offering courses in specialties such as pain management, clinical engineering, intensive care, and hospital management. For instance, the Organ Transplant Training Center introduced by Albert Einstein in 2019 has trained over 6,000 healthcare professionals.
Rodrigo Bornhausen Demarch
Chief Innovation Officer,
Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein Hospital connects entrepreneurs with scientists, clinical doctors, and managers, leveraging its ecosystem advantage to drive the translation of clinical research into practical applications.
With healthcare expenditure exceeding USD 1 trillion, China has emerged as a powerhouse in healthcare operations, serving one of the largest populations globally. In recent years, China has made significant strides in digital health engagement and the implementation of cutting-edge innovations, leading to enhanced healthcare quality. This achievement has garnered global attention, positioning China as a unique reference in the healthcare sector.
Miguel Cendoroglo Neto
COO and Medical Director,
Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
We want to understand how innovation happens, their funding how it works, and particularly how Mindray as an ecosystem also works with partners.
China as a Benchmark for a New World of Technology and Innovations
During the journey in China, the Albert Einstein team visited various institutions that cover different aspects of the industry, from academia, research, med-tech companies to public and private hospitals.
The team was most impressed by the efficiency of China's model when it comes to technology innovation and implementation.
One of the noteworthy Chinese technology research institutions visited was the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology. The team was fascinated to learn that their innovation incubator has already nurtured over 300 startup companies.
The visit to China's gene bank was also a highlight. This database not only stores a vast amount of human DNA data but also encompasses data from other species. It has sparked Albert Einstein team's interest in the field of cellular therapy and opened up new possibilities for exploration.
Marcos Roberto G. Queiroz
Director of Diagnostic Medicine,
Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
This trip to China has granted me a profound understanding of the extensive and well-established innovation system that permeates everyday life in this country.
ELIézer Silva
Executive Director,
Einstein Healthcare System
I have learned during this visit, Mindray has leveraged its advantage of multiple products lines for integrated innovation. This breaks down the barriers of information silos between departments, bringing higher clinical and managerial value to both individual departments and the entire hospital.
Rodrigo Bornhausen Demarch
Chief Innovation Officer,
Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
Bringing the industry closer to academia and facilitating the connection between these two distinct realms results in a significant number of new startup companies and intellectual property.
Collaboration Between the Two Countries is a Natural Choice
Looking towards the future of healthcare development, the Albert Einstein team has expanded their attention on collaborating with global partners who share a similar innovation mindset, aiming to build a sustainable healthcare ecosystem.
Henrique Neves
Managing Director of Sociedade Beneficente Israelita Brasileira
Albert Einstein Hospital
During this visit to China, I have come to understand that Brazil and China face many similar challenges in healthcare. Furthermore, the strategies employed by China in addressing these challenges align closely with our own.
Cristóv?o Mangueira
Director of Laboratory Medicine,
Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
There is a wide range of opportunities for collaboration between Latin American and Chinese hospitals and the industry, in areas such as clinical research, clinical development of new biomarkers, and clinical validation of cutting-edge technologies.
In the previous year, with the support of Mindray, Albert Einstein Hospital successfully hosted the 7th Latin American Health Quality and Safety Forum. During the forum, medical experts and scholars from around the world engaged in discussions centered around the theme of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and found common ground in recognizing the necessity of "building a safer, more accessible, and sustainable healthcare ecosystem." This pursuit aligns with Mindray's commitment as a provider of future-proof medical solutions.
Miguel Cendoroglo Neto
COO and Medical Director,
Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
Medical innovation goes beyond healthcare itself. We must acknowledge that, to some extent, it is the healthcare system that ultimately pays the bill for global environmental issues. In other words, while striving to improve human health and well-being, healthcare institutions must also maintain a high level of attention to the natural environment, continuously enhancing environmental conservation through innovative initiatives, and developing for the future health of humanity.
The journey of innovation with Albert Einstein Hospital will continue to deepen through research and educational collaborations, as well as clinical practices, ultimately transforming into better healthcare for the public.
Mindray is committed to continuously championing disruptive innovation models with global partners, contributing to the shaping of a sustainable ecosystem within the healthcare community.