RDtomarket

RDtomarket is a term used to describe the integrated process of translating research and development outputs into commercially viable products and services. It refers to the set of strategies, processes, and ecosystems that connect laboratory work with market demand.

Core components include technology scouting, feasibility assessment, prototype development, regulatory planning, intellectual property management, manufacturing scale-up, and market access activities such as partnerships, licensing, and distribution planning.

Purpose and scope: It is applied across sectors including life sciences, information technology, energy, and consumer products. It emphasizes early alignment with customer needs, risk assessment, and staged funding to reduce time-to-market.

Challenges and criticisms: Projects may fail due to misalignment with market needs, uncertain ROI, regulatory hurdles, or IP fragmentation. Successful RDtomarket efforts typically rely on cross-functional teams, external collaborations, clear roadmaps, and governance structures.

Origins: The term emerged from innovation management literature as a way to describe bridging the valley of death between R&D and commercialization, and is used by corporations, universities, and government programs to structure translational pipelines.