Everything Collaborative Cures does is about bringing people together to cure paralysis in our lifetime
Solutions through Collaboration
Many of the world’s greatest scientists and technologists have discovered breakthroughs that have the potential to impact paralysed people’s lives today. Yet, these interventions are held hostage in the minds and labs of these spectacular researchers due to systemic failures in translating research from the lab to the clinic.
This impacts the lives of 60 million people around the world suffering from some kind of paralysis who have no access to any meaningful therapies.
No individual scientist, technologist, entrepreneur, investor or philanthropist is going to cure paralysis on their own. But by working together, they will.
So, through Collaborative Cures, we’re focused on bringing people together to create systemic impact that will:
- Reduce 50-year scientific translation timelines to 10 years by creating the conditions for collaboration, facilitating healthy rivalries and building trust.
- Catalyse collaborations worth €1 billion by connecting scientists and technologists with business know how, regulatory expertise and capital.
Ultimately, the goal is to release meaningful therapies from the lab to the clinic so that they are readily available to the people who need them most.
How we Catalyse Collaborations
Since 2011, Mark Pollock has been involved in catalysing collaborations that are now valued at over €100 million. These include co-creating international neuro-modulation and robotics research studies; building an exoskeleton rehabilitation programme; facilitating multi-stakeholder relationships towards the commercialisation of academic research; and working alongside Wings for Life Spinal Research Foundation and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
Combining that experience with initiatives with the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders and work carried out in partnership with The Dock, Accenture’s flagship R&D and Global Innovation Centre, our research has identified 4 primary building blocks to create the conditions for collaboration and mitigate against systemic fragmentation.
Collaboration Building Blocks

Embodying Collaborative Leadership
Creating a culture of collaboration needs people to lead by example. It demands leaders being visibly and tangibly open to collaboration.

Incentivising Collaborative Behaviour
Incentives beyond funding are required to drive collaborative behaviours including rewards for sharing scientific data and communicating openly. It involves recognising and rewarding collaboration.

Mission Orientated Framing
Establishing a shared mission that multiple parties can sign up to is essential for creating the conditions for collaboration. It requires concrete, measurable and achievable outcomes.

Active Governance
Establishing proactive and appropriate levels of oversight is fundamental to allow collaborative projects to deliver. It requires robust structures to help build credibility and trust.
Collaborative Cures is a registered charity. Charities Regulatory Authority No. 20205817.
Company Registration No. 673629 (Republic of Ireland).