Translational medicine and its perspectives in Poland

This article presents Translational Medicine (TM), one of today's 'buzz words'. Moreover, it seeks to identify the factors which stimulate or impede TM's development in Poland, based on desk research and a series of expert interviews conducted in four countries. TM is a new trend in research and clinical practice. It stems from two sources: observation of how ineffective the traditional drug development process is, and from the public need for innovative therapies. Strategies developed within the translational approach optimize medical innovation development so that the chasm between impressive scientific discoveries and poor pharma productivity is filled. Our diagnosis shows that Poland is a minor player on the market of new technologies, particularly drugs. However, Polish scientists and industry do have a potential that will enable them to play major roles in international research teams that work on innovative, global projects.