The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) has been sharing scientific discoveries for months, highlighting their impact on lives and future possibilities. Recently, the university welcomed a new team member, Anthony Francis, who brings experience in bringing products to market.
Francis, the Associate Vice President of Innovation and Development at UT Health San Antonio, believes that his outsider perspective can help enhance the impact of scientific discoveries. While universities typically focus on technical merit and patent potential when commercializing products, Francis emphasizes the importance of considering whether anyone values the innovation. He believes that a more critical question is whether the market actually cares about the product.
Francis is particularly interested in digital therapeutics such as the KIOS app which helps individuals with substance use disorder in their recovery journey. He sees great potential in this area and aims to leverage technology to improve health outcomes. Science & Medicine, a collaboration between TPR and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio explores how scientific discoveries in San Antonio are transforming medicine globally.
According to Francis, universities often overlook the importance of considering how people value new innovations. By focusing solely on technical merit and patent potential, they may miss out on opportunities to create truly impactful solutions that benefit society as a whole.
Francis’s background in product development gives him unique insight into what it takes to bring new technologies to market. He understands that success often requires not just technical expertise but also an understanding of customer needs and market trends.
The KIOS app represents one example of how UT Health San Antonio is leveraging digital technologies to improve healthcare outcomes for individuals struggling with addiction. The app provides personalized support and resources for individuals on their journey towards recovery.
Overall, Francis believes that by taking an interdisciplinary approach that considers both technical merit and market demand, UT Health San Antonio can continue to make groundbreaking discoveries that have a real-world impact on people’s lives.
