From a One Health perspective, bringing innovative research to real-world application cannot do without coordinated efforts between academia, start-ups and industry. Emerging infectious diseases provides a compelling illustration of the need for stronger collaboration across the ecosystem where human, animal and environmental health intersect. Which technology transfer approaches, public-private collaborations, partnership strategies and licensing pathways can the ecosystem leverage to translate promising discoveries into tangible development? How are the different stakeholders building collaborations, and what challenges still need to be addressed to deliver more impactful innovation?