Behind the Scenes: Challenge 1 – Novo Nordisk Foundation
What challenges are shaping the future of healthcare, and what opportunities do they offer for innovation? In our Behind the Scenes interview series, we introduce the challenges of the Healthcare Hackathon Bavaria – Erlangen 2026 and the people behind them.
We kick off the series with Koray Karakaya, Senior Innovation Coach at BioMedical Design, Novo Nordisk Foundation, who introduces the challenge “Medication adjustment with polypharmacy patients”.
How was this challenge inspired?
This need/challenge was identified during the cause of the BioMedical Design Fellowship Program 2025/26through clinical observations. The BioMedical Design vision is to develop innovation talents through training and immersion in the clinic to gain the knowledge and skills needed to drive innovation of solutions that improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of health conditions that burden health systems and patients.
Why is this topic so important?
The health care system is challenged by an ageing population with multiple chronic diseases and lifelong polypharmacy. Polypharmacy, defined as the concurrent use of five or more medications, is common amongst older adults receiving home care services. The relationship between home care and polypharmacy is critical to older people’s health. Miscommunication between HCPs and patients may lead to frustration and fatale patient outcome – readmission to hospital.
Why should one take part in the Healthcare Hackathon Bayern – Erlangen 2026?
The need/challenge presented in this document is validated within the Danish health care system andrepresents a business opportunity. Solving this need is a major improvement in the way we deliver health care for elderly chronic patients at home and has the potential to reduce the health care burden.
What’s the ideal scenario for what happens with your challenge after the hackathon?
To get inspiration on possible solutions from a German health care system perspective.