What matters most?
R&D has always been about more than the next discovery. It is about solving urgent challenges, taking innovation to the next level and, ultimately, enabling human progress.
These leaps forward don’t happen without passion. They are the outcomes of years of work, trial and error, dead ends and discoveries. Researchers, innovators and change makers constantly working at the bleeding edge of science and tech; uncharted terrain full of unknowns and ambiguity, where the difference between success and failure often lies in the ability to stay focused and see clearly.
The leaders in this race know how to cut through the noise of the day-to-day and stride steadily towards the end goal. Because, at the end of the day, every researcher got into this field because of their passion for discovery and a desire to change the world.
In the world of R&D, today’s innovators are driven not just by that passion, but also by business pressure and societal need. Some aim to transform entire industries or save millions of lives, while others are dedicated to making small, meaningful changes to make lives better every day. Whatever the scale, each innovation begins with the same question — a question that grounds R&D in a large overarching purpose:
What matters most ?
R&D has always been about more than the next discovery. It is about solving urgent challenges, taking innovation to the next level and, ultimately, enabling human progress.
However, these leaps forward don’t happen without passion. They are the outcomes of years of work, trial and error, dead ends and discoveries. Researchers, innovators and change makers constantly working at the bleeding edge of science and tech; uncharted terrain full of unknowns and ambiguity, where the difference between success and failure often lies in the ability to stay focused and see clearly.
The leaders in this race know how to cut through the noise of the day-to-day and stride steadily towards the end goal. Because, at the end of the day, every researcher got into this field because of their passion for discovery and a desire to change the world.
In the world of R&D, today’s innovators are driven not just by that passion, but also by business pressure and societal need. Some aim to transform entire industries or save millions of lives, while others are dedicated to making small, meaningful changes to make lives better every day. Whatever the scale, each innovation begins with the same question — a question that grounds R&D in a large overarching purpose:
What matters most ?
What matters most in the quest for sustainable fashion?
By some estimates, it takes more than 2,500 gallons of water to produce a single pair of jeans.
As a result, much of this water, full of chemicals, ends up in rivers and open water. For manufacturers, denim-lovers and the planet as a whole, the industry must find ways to drastically reduce water usage, toxic waste and excessive chemicals.
Pioneers in sustainable and green chemistry are working hard to crack the code for alternatives to indigo, like biodegradable, non-toxic dyes and dyes that penetrate the fabric much better — thus using less water.
If the 4.5 billion pairs of jeans produced globally each year were all made using the most efficient sustainable dyeing methods, the water saved would be immense. Even a small reduction in water use per pair of jeans will easily supply millions of people with all the clean water they need, every day.
Diresul RDT is one of those promising innovations. The biodegradable dye contains far less sulphide and saves up to 92% water, 30% energy and reduces cotton waste by 87%. Advancements like these are the ones that inspire us to support chemistry innovators with the insights, data and clarity they need to develop the innovations our world needs so much.
By some estimates, it takes more than 2,500 gallons of water to produce a single pair of jeans.
As a result, much of this water, full of chemicals, ends up in rivers and open water. For manufacturers, denim-lovers and the planet as a whole, the industry must find ways to drastically reduce water usage, toxic waste and excessive chemicals.
Pioneers in sustainable and green chemistry are working hard to crack the code for alternatives to indigo, like biodegradable, non-toxic dyes and dyes that penetrate the fabric much better — thus using less water.
If the 4.5 billion pairs of jeans produced globally each year were all made using the most efficient sustainable dyeing methods, the water saved would be immense. Even a small reduction in water use per pair of jeans will easily supply millions of people with all the clean water they need, every day.
Diresul RDT is one of those promising innovations. The biodegradable dye contains far less sulphide and saves up to 92% water, 30% energy and reduces cotton waste by 87%. Advancements like these are the ones that inspire us to support chemistry innovators with the insights, data and clarity they need to develop the innovations our world needs so much.
What matters most when the next cure is waiting to be discovered?
The pharmaceutical industry has a constant need to push forward and make new discoveries.
Because ultimately, there are always patients waiting for the drug that will change (or save) their lives. And in that case, it isn’t always about what is new — but adapting what is already available. The cost of repurposing a drug is less than 1% of developing a new one.
In the ongoing pursuit to save and improve lives worldwide, drug repurposing is a powerful accelerator. History has already shown that it pays off to have a peripheral vision on drug discovery — Viagra was first used to treat cardiac angina before being repurposed for erectile dysfunction, and now it also serves as a life-saving treatment for a rare pediatric lung disease.
To spot those possible applications, researchers need to be able to predict the highest potential repurposing opportunities across thousands of drugs, against thousands of known diseases, including the very rare ones.
Every Cure is a nonprofit doing just that. They focus on a set of 4,000 approved drugs and 18,000 recognized diseases, which translates to 300 million people worldwide. Many of those are patients suffering from diseases that currently lack any effective treatment, but finding cheaper, safer or more effective alternatives to existing options can be just as impactful.
With the help of a comprehensive and trusted scientific data, innovative AI-powered tools and subject matter expertise, researchers like those at Every Cure can quickly quantify the likelihood of a drug’s impact when treating a new disease or condition. This approach is already helping patients and saving lives around the world and creating a brighter future for patients who are waiting for a life-changing treatment.
The pharmaceutical industry has a constant need to push forward and make new discoveries.
Because ultimately, there are always patients waiting for the drug that will change (or save) their lives. And in that case, it isn’t always about what is new — but adapting what is already available. The cost of repurposing a drug is less than 1% of developing a new one.
In the ongoing pursuit to save and improve lives worldwide, drug repurposing is a powerful accelerator. History has already shown that it pays off to have a peripheral vision on drug discovery — Viagra was first used to treat cardiac angina before being repurposed for erectile dysfunction, and now it also serves as a life-saving treatment for a rare pediatric lung disease.
To spot those possible applications, researchers need to be able to predict the highest potential repurposing opportunities across thousands of drugs, against thousands of known diseases, including the very rare ones.
Every Cure is a nonprofit doing just that. They focus on a set of 4,000 approved drugs and 18,000 recognized diseases, which translates to 300 million people worldwide. Many of those are patients suffering from diseases that currently lack any effective treatment, but finding cheaper, safer or more effective alternatives to existing options can be just as impactful.
With the help of a comprehensive and trusted scientific data, innovative AI-powered tools and subject matter expertise, researchers like those at Every Cure can quickly quantify the likelihood of a drug’s impact when treating a new disease or condition. This approach is already helping patients and saving lives around the world and creating a brighter future for patients who are waiting for a life-changing treatment.
What matters most when not all AI is created equal?
These days, adopting AI is not an option.
Whether building from scratch, partnering with experts or building solutions wholesale, there is an urgency in every industry to embrace AI and bring new value and speed to innovation. But, adopting AI has just as many risks and pitfalls as it does opportunities. From data privacy and security concerns, to sustainability questions, everyone is facing a similar question: How can we embrace AI while still focusing on what matters most?
These days, adopting AI is not an option.
Whether building from scratch, partnering with experts or building solutions wholesale, there is an urgency in every industry to embrace AI and bring new value and speed to innovation. But, adopting AI has just as many risks and pitfalls as it does opportunities. From data privacy and security concerns, to sustainability questions, everyone is facing a similar question: How can we embrace AI while still focusing on what matters most?
The reality is: AI isn’t new.
Many leading companies have been embracing AI and machine learning for more than a decade — if not longer. To use AI responsibly requires a deep understanding of high-impact use cases, data quality and responsible AI.
Obviously, many companies talk about “Responsible AI.” But what does it really mean? It’s not just about any one thing — it’s about real-world impact, an emphasis on privacy and security and creating solutions that are easily traceable, explainable and contain a significant amount of human oversight. A responsible solution also keeps private data private, not training third-party models without explicit permission.
There is also the question of sustainability and AI, a tension that many struggle to reconcile. However, AI-savvy organizations know there are ways to adopt AI while still advancing sustainability: from data centers powered by green electricity, to multi-model approaches, to minimizing unnecessary data storage and processing, there is an AI future that exists that still prioritizes sustainable energy.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about AI for AI’s sake. It’s about embracing innovative technology while putting responsibility and strategy first.
There is also the question of sustainability and AI, a tension that many struggle to reconcile. However, AI-savvy organizations know there are ways to adopt AI while still advancing sustainability: from data centers powered by green electricity, to multi-model approaches, to minimizing unnecessary data storage and processing, there is an AI future that exists that still prioritizes sustainable energy.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about AI for AI’s sake. It’s about embracing innovative technology while putting responsibility and strategy first.
What matters most at the leading edge of bioplastics?
Sustainable materials are in high demand, particularly those that have yet to be invented.
The holy grail materials. For innovators on the leading edge of sustainability, the dream is to fully replace petroleum-based plastics with bio-based ones, without compromising on any qualities and possible applications. Or, ideally going beyond.
And that’s the key to finding the real game-changers: attributes. Developing viable alternatives for anything from PET to Polyamide, each with thousands of unique sub-variants with specific qualities like heat resistance, flexibility, degradable, soluble or edible. Sustainability alone will not bring these materials to market.
R&D teams on the leading edge of bioplastics face countless obstacles. There are so many research avenues, and vast amounts of time and money can be spent in a trial-and-error loop, getting closer to the next big material while consistently hitting dead ends. Finding the right data at the right time is invaluable, and any delays in the process can set your company behind the pack.
There is one key theme for R&D teams when faced with making these research laps: access to insights. For companies that empower their teams with comprehensive access to research and content, the results are clear. In one case, a company saw a projected year-long experimental period reduced to eight months, with $500,000 saved in laboratory costs. On top of this, the company was able to introduce its bioplastics innovation to customers before the competition, leading to increased order volumes and improved market positioning.
Sustainable materials are in high demand, particularly those that have yet to be invented.
The holy grail materials. For innovators on the leading edge of sustainability, the dream is to fully replace petroleum-based plastics with bio-based ones, without compromising on any qualities and possible applications. Or, ideally going beyond.
And that’s the key to finding the real game-changers: attributes. Developing viable alternatives for anything from PET to Polyamide, each with thousands of unique sub-variants with specific qualities like heat resistance, flexibility, degradable, soluble or edible. Sustainability alone will not bring these materials to market.
R&D teams on the leading edge of bioplastics face countless obstacles. There are so many research avenues, and vast amounts of time and money can be spent in a trial-and-error loop, getting closer to the next big material while consistently hitting dead ends. Finding the right data at the right time is invaluable, and any delays in the process can set your company behind the pack.
There is one key theme for R&D teams when faced with making these research laps: access to insights. For companies that empower their teams with comprehensive access to research and content, the results are clear. In one case, a company saw a projected year-long experimental period reduced to eight months, with $500,000 saved in laboratory costs. On top of this, the company was able to introduce its bioplastics innovation to customers before the competition, leading to increased order volumes and improved market positioning.
What matters most when innovation can come from anywhere or anyone?
The world, and everyone in it, needs research.
This has always been true, but the urgency of the current moment can’t be ignored. Businesses, consumers and entire populations are waiting for breakthrough innovations that help save lives, protect habitats, reduce suffering and create a better future.
It’s important to remember: R&D is at the center of it all. Passionate groups of brilliant minds working methodically to put academic insights into practice: pursuing new materials, medicines and technologies. It’s critical that every single person — no matter their background, their race, their cultural differences, their visual impairments, their access to technology — is empowered to be a part of the R&D community.
People who experience disabilities are innovators. They innovate in their own lives to solve challenges and bring unique insights which help improve products and services for everyone. When scientific data and related products are accessible and inclusive, we enable greater numbers of researchers to contribute to the wider R&D innovation and idea generation ecosystem.
A truly diverse team needs tools that allow everyone to contribute, meeting and exceeding accessibility standards. Making the latest scientific information accessible to all researchers is critical to creating a truly effective team.
And when these teams have everything they need, when they need it, the world has a better chance of getting the inventions it needs as soon as possible.
Making the latest scientific information accessible to all researchers is critical to creating a truly effective team.
The world, and everyone in it, needs research.
This has always been true, but the urgency of the current moment can’t be ignored. Businesses, consumers and entire populations are waiting for breakthrough innovations that help save lives, protect habitats, reduce suffering and create a better future.
It’s important to remember: R&D is at the center of it all. Passionate groups of brilliant minds working methodically to put academic insights into practice: pursuing new materials, medicines and technologies. It’s critical that every single person — no matter their background, their race, their cultural differences, their visual impairments, their access to technology — is empowered to be a part of the R&D community.
People who experience disabilities are innovators. They innovate in their own lives to solve challenges and bring unique insights which help improve products and services for everyone. When scientific data and related products are accessible and inclusive, we enable greater numbers of researchers to contribute to the wider R&D innovation and idea generation ecosystem.
A truly diverse team needs tools that allow everyone to contribute, meeting and exceeding accessibility standards.
Making the latest scientific information accessible to all researchers is critical to creating a truly effective team.
And when these teams have everything they need, when they need it, the world has a better chance of getting the inventions it needs as soon as possible.
We would love to share more personal perspectives from innovators and leaders in R&D – that includes yours.
We would love to share more personal perspectives from innovators and leaders in R&D – that includes yours.
