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December 12, 2024/Innovations

Persistence, Partnership, and Payoff: The Driving Forces Behind Cleveland Clinic's Innovation Ecosystem

Joseph Iannotti, MD, PhD, Chief Research and Academic Officer at Cleveland Clinic Florida, transformed shoulder surgery through a 15-year research journey that began with a simple anatomical question, developing innovative technologies like preoperative planning software and patient-specific instrumentation. The success of these innovations exemplifies Cleveland Clinic's commitment to reinvesting commercialization gains back into research, creating a virtuous cycle of medical discovery that continuously pushes the boundaries of healthcare innovation.

Dr. Iannotti presents at the Florida Research and Innovation Center Forum

Dr. Iannotti presents at the Florida Research and Innovation Center Forum.

Uncovering the Anatomy of Innovation

In the bustling world of medical innovation, the story of Cleveland Clinic's research and commercialization efforts serves as a shining example of how a relentless commitment to discovery and a strategic approach to reinvesting returns can fuel an ongoing cycle of progress.

One of the many examples of this narrative at Cleveland Clinic is Joseph Iannotti, MD, PhD, Chief Research and Academic Officer, Cleveland Clinic Florida, whose decades-long journey exemplifies the power of perseverance and collaboration in driving transformative change. "You could not have an orthopedic surgeon in 2004 ask a very simple question, 'What is the anatomy of the glenoid?' and end up, 15 years later, with multiple FDA-approved products that have literally changed how shoulder surgeries are done around the world," Dr. Iannotti reflects. "It would have never happened without the Cleveland Clinic."

The Journey Begins

The journey began in the early 2000s, when Dr. Iannotti set out to address a deceptively simple question: "What is the anatomy of the glenoid?" This inquiry sparked a chain of events that would ultimately reshape the landscape of shoulder surgery.

Through a combination of research, ingenuity, and strategic partnerships, the team developed a suite of groundbreaking technologies, including preoperative planning software and patient-specific instrumentation. These innovations not only enhanced surgical precision but also paved the way for a remarkable commercialization journey. "If we know the anatomy of the normal glenoid, can you use that information in an abnormal glenoid to define the premorbid anatomy, which was the first patent, and that became a software tool," Dr. Iannotti explains.

Reinvesting for the Future

The success of these innovations did not go unnoticed. The team's work garnered the attention of industry partners and government agencies, leading to a steady influx of funding that fueled further research and development. But Dr. Iannotti and his colleagues recognized the true value in reinvesting these gains back into Cleveland Clinic, which had nurtured their endeavors.

"The money we received was reinvested back to the orthopedic department," Dr. Iannotti explains. "We recycled it. We used it to develop a novel radio-opaque suture with my colleague Dr. Kathleen Derwin that was licensed and is now used in research and clinical care.” This cyclical approach, where commercialization successes are channeled back into the research pipeline, has been a hallmark of Cleveland Clinic's innovation ecosystem. It's a virtuous cycle that not only sustains but also accelerates the pace of discovery, with each breakthrough paving the way for the next.

Dr. Iannotti receives recognition for patents received by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Dr. Iannotti receives recognition for patents received by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Advancing What’s Possible Through Collaboration

Dr. Iannotti acknowledges that this process of collaboration between research and innovation to push the boundaries of what is possible brings out the best within the enterprise. It is precisely this willingness to confront unmet needs within healthcare and to ideate on solutions that has allowed Cleveland Clinic to maintain its position as a global leader in medical innovation. Dr. Iannotti's candor in discussing the ups and downs of the journey serves as a testament to Cleveland Clinic’s commitment to transparency and continuous improvement.

“We are geared to provide great health care and a great culture to bridge gaps within healthcare," Dr. Iannotti explains. "Cleveland Clinic supports caregivers by fostering an environment of creativity and openness to explore how things can be done differently for the benefit for all patients. This culture of innovation is a core value that permeates throughout our entire ecosystem."

Driving Transformative Change

As the world continues to grapple with complex healthcare challenges, the story of Cleveland Clinic's orthopedic research and commercialization efforts stands as a shining example of how a relentless pursuit of knowledge, coupled with a strategic approach to reinvesting success, can drive transformative change.

Ultimately, it is this willingness to reinvest funds gained through commercialization back into the research pipeline that has allowed Cleveland Clinic to maintain its position as a global leader in medical innovation, continuously uncovering new breakthroughs that improve patient care.

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