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News & Insights

5th December 2025

Funding Friday Series – Episode 2:
Understanding the TRL 6 Threshold Across Life Sciences

Reaching TRL 6 is now one of the most decisive factors in EIC Accelerator success — yet it remains one of the least understood. While the Work Programme requires applicants to enter at TRL 5, evaluators ultimately select companies that demonstrate a credible, evidence-driven trajectory toward TRL 6–8. Crucially, this threshold is not uniform: what constitutes “validated in a relevant environment” varies significantly across MedTech, Biotech Therapeutics, Digital Health, Deep Tech and Sustainable Livestock.

These sector-specific validation requirements—ranging from clinical-environment prototype testing to robust preclinical packages, prospective real-world data, dual platform–application validation, or complex field trials—explain why many promising innovations fall short. The differentiator is not scientific merit, but whether the evidence package reflects the standards regulators and evaluators expect for that technology category.

At Strategic Healthcare Advisors, we help innovators design validation strategies that align scientific, regulatory and funding pathways, ensuring TRL progression is both sector-appropriate and compelling to evaluators.

In this episode, Dr Caroline Chauché outlines what TRL 6 really means across life sciences sectors — and why understanding these differences is essential for EIC Accelerator readiness.

Funding Friday Episode 2 - Understanding TRL6 threshold Across Life SciencesDownload
Funding Friday Episode 1- EIC Accelerator 2026Download
28th November 2025

Funding Friday Series - Episode 1: 
The EIC Acceleration Work Programme 2026 - A Paradigm Shift

The 2026 EIC Accelerator introduces major changes that raise the bar for life sciences innovators, including €414 million for open calls, a doubled minimum equity investment of €1 million, and a mandatory TRL 5 threshold. These shifts prioritise later-stage companies with proven commercial traction and committed co-investors. While competition will become tougher, the programme remains Europe’s most powerful source of non-dilutive funding, offering recipients both substantial financial support and the prestigious EIC endorsement—a catalyst for 2–3x follow-on investment and accelerated partnerships or exits within 2–3 years.

Our team understands exactly what EIC evaluators and investors seek. Contact us to discuss your EIC Accelerator strategy.

In this episode, Dr Caroline Chauché explains what’s changed in 2026 and why it matters for life sciences innovations"

19th - 21st May 2025, Paris

Strategic Healthcare Advisors Accompanies a Scottish Delegation at SantExpo 2025

Strategic Healthcare Advisors (SHA) had the privilege of supporting Scottish Development International (SDI) and accompany a delegation of innovative Scottish healthcare start-ups to SantExpo 2025, one of Europe’s most important gatherings for healthcare professionals, innovators, and decision-makers.

Strategic Healthcare Advisors’ team, Dr Caroline Chauche, Dr Francis Mathe, Dr Jean-Michel Verjus and Mrs Ammilie Volders played a central role in ensuring the delegation’s success through a series of high-impact initiatives.

Ahead of the exhibition, the team proposed and organised a pre-evening dinner, creating a warm and collaborative atmosphere to foster early engagement between the Scottish delegation, and the organising teams (SDI and SHA).

During SantExpo, SHA provided on-site support at the SDI stand (L26), guided start-ups in their interactions, with, overcoming cultural and language barriers and broadened the delegation's visibility by securing targeted media coverage with L’OEil de la E-Santé

SHA also facilitated valuable introductions with potential buyers by supporting SDI in the organisation of private reception at the British Embassy in Paris, a highlight of the program.

Another milestone during this event was the panel discussion hosted by SHA, featuring leading experts in the medical innovation field including Pascal Becache (Digital Pharma Lab), Caroline De Mareul-Villette (ICOSA), Cécile Théard-Jallu (De Gaulle Fleurance), Véronique Molière (C2DS), and Gavin Vuddamalay (MabDesign) and David J Smith(SDI) which sparked meaningful dialogue on the future of healthcare innovation across Europe.

These achievements were made possible thanks to the dedication of the SHA team. Francis, whose outstanding network and ability to bring in key media coverage broadened the delegation’s reach, played a pivotal role in raising visibility. Jean-Michel acted as both time-keeper and scientific driver, enriching discussions with valuable ideas and keeping the program on track. Caroline, our event expert and the cornerstone of this collaboration, ensured flawless execution from planning to delivery. Finally, Ammilie brought a service-driven mindset and cultivated a warm, multicultural atmosphere that greatly facilitated the Scottish delegation’s experience.

To prepare for future editions, SHA gathered valuable feedback from stakeholders and start-ups throughout the event, reinforcing its role as a trusted partner for international healthcare delegations.

“We are proud to have stood alongside SDI and the Scottish delegation at SantExpo 2025, not only to showcase their innovation but also to build meaningful connections across the European healthcare ecosystem said Dr Caroline Chauche, Managing Partner at SHA "This collaboration reflects our commitment to enabling international partnerships and giving start-ups the visibility they need to succeed.”

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