Anthony Francis has recently joined UT Health San Antonio as the associate vice president of innovation and development, bringing with him a unique perspective on how to bring scientific discoveries to market. Unlike many of his colleagues who are scientists, Francis has experience in product development and taking products to market.
As an outsider, Francis believes that his perspective allows him to see things differently when it comes to innovation. He believes that asking whether the market cares about a product is more important than simply assessing its technical merit or patentability. This shift in focus can help ensure that technical innovations are actually used by people.
Francis is particularly excited about digital innovations in healthcare, such as prescription digital therapeutics like the KIOS app, which helps people with substance use disorder during their recovery. His work at UT Health San Antonio aims to bring these types of innovations to market, ultimately improving patient care and advancing the field of medicine.
Science & Medicine, a collaboration between TPR and UT Health San Antonio, is dedicated to exploring how scientific discoveries made in San Antonio can shape the future of medicine around the world.
