TTP vs Planet Innovation: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
TTP (4.4/5) edges ahead of Planet Innovation (4.2/5) overall. TTP is the better choice for pharma device programs, inhalers and injectors. Planet Innovation is the stronger option for diagnostics companies in Asia-Pacific and the US. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
TTP vs Planet Innovation: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | TTP | Planet Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1987 | 2009 |
| HQ | Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, UK | Box Hill, Victoria, Australia |
| Team size | Not published | 300–400 |
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Employee ownership plus long-running drug delivery and surgical device work for large pharma and medtech clients | Diagnostics roots plus product and commercialization experience in Australia and the US |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, phased fixed project | Fixed project, time and materials |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Ultrasound, Microfluidics, Embedded C/C++ | Embedded C/C++, Cloud (AWS/Azure), Microfluidics |
| Industries served | Drug delivery, Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices | Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring |
TTP vs Planet Innovation: overview
TTP
TTP (The Technology Partnership) has operated for around 40 years from its own science park in Melbourn, South Cambridgeshire. In December 2021 TTP Group moved to 100% employee ownership through an Employee Ownership Trust. Its Medical Devices team works on drug delivery, surgical systems and diagnostics, and the wider company does deep technology work in sectors such as life science instruments and industrial products. Headcount is not published in a form we could verify.
Planet Innovation
Planet Innovation was founded in Melbourne in 2009 by four diagnostics industry specialists: Eduardo Vom, Sam Lanyon, Stuart Elliott and Troy O'Callaghan. It is headquartered in Box Hill, Victoria, with a facility in Irvine, California, and employs roughly 300 to 390 people depending on the source. The company has focused on regulated medical devices since 2016 and works across diagnostics, medical devices, biotechnology and connected health, including some product ventures of its own.
Services and capabilities: TTP vs Planet Innovation
| Capability | TTP | Planet Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics & PCB design | ✓ | ✓ |
| Firmware & embedded software | ✓ | ✓ |
| SaMD & companion apps | ✗ | ✗ |
| Connected devices & IoT | ✗ | ✓ |
| Industrial design & human factors | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mechanical engineering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Device cybersecurity | ✗ | ✗ |
| Regulatory & QMS support | ✓ | ✗ |
| Manufacturing & scale-up | ✗ | ✓ |
Tech stack comparison: TTP vs Planet Innovation
| Framework / platform | TTP | Planet Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded C/C++ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Embedded Linux | N/A | N/A |
| RTOS | N/A | N/A |
| BLE | N/A | N/A |
| Cloud (AWS/Azure) | N/A | ✓ |
| IEC 62304 | N/A | N/A |
| ISO 14971 | N/A | N/A |
| ISO 13485 QMS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Qt | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: TTP vs Planet Innovation
| Criterion | TTP | Planet Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Consulting, Fixed project, Time & materials | Fixed project, Manufacturing contract, Time & materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: TTP vs Planet Innovation
| Dimension | TTP | Planet Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Drug delivery, Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices | Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring |
| Best use cases | Designing an autoinjector or inhaler for a pharma combination product, Developing a surgical energy device | Developing a connected point-of-care diagnostic, Commercialization planning for an Australian medtech startup |
| Typical project type | Consulting | Fixed project |
TTP vs Planet Innovation: pros and cons
| TTP | |
|---|---|
| + | Employee ownership since 2021 removes pressure from outside investors |
| + | Well regarded for drug delivery devices, an area where mechanics and human factors decide success |
| + | Own science park with lab and workshop space for physical prototyping |
| + | Specialist depth in ultrasound and fluidics |
| - | Does not publish headcount or rates, which makes early budgeting harder |
| - | UK-centric delivery; US clients work across time zones |
| - | Pricing sits with the premium Cambridge consultancies |
| Planet Innovation | |
|---|---|
| + | Founders came from the diagnostics industry, and diagnostics is still its strongest area |
| + | Has launched products of its own, so it understands commercialization as well as engineering |
| + | Australian base offers time-zone coverage for Asia-Pacific clients |
| + | Irvine facility serves US clients locally |
| - | Runs its own product ventures, so ask how client work is prioritized |
| - | Less known in Europe |
| - | Headcount and certifications should be confirmed directly |
Who should choose TTP?
A typical fit: designing an autoinjector or inhaler for a pharma combination product.
Employee ownership plus long-running drug delivery and surgical device work for large pharma and medtech clients. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Drug delivery, Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices.
Who should choose Planet Innovation?
A typical fit: developing a connected point-of-care diagnostic.
Diagnostics roots plus product and commercialization experience in Australia and the US. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring.
Decision matrix: TTP vs Planet Innovation
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | TTP |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Check each company's engagement model |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: TTP (Not disclosed) vs Planet Innovation (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | TTP |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | Both may offer discovery engagements |
Use case fit: TTP vs Planet Innovation
| Use case | TTP fit | Planet Innovation fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designing an autoinjector or inhaler for a pharma combination product | Strong | Limited | TTP |
| Developing a surgical energy device | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Developing a connected point-of-care diagnostic | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Commercialization planning for an Australian medtech startup | Limited | Strong | Planet Innovation |
Verdict: TTP vs Planet Innovation
TTP (4.4/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Medical Device Development projects. Employee ownership plus long-running drug delivery and surgical device work for large pharma and medtech clients.
Planet Innovation (4.2/5) is worth a look if you need commercialization planning for an Australian medtech startup. If your situation matches that, Planet Innovation is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
TTP vs Planet Innovation FAQ
Is TTP better than Planet Innovation?
TTP (4.4/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. TTP's strongest advantage: employee ownership since 2021 removes pressure from outside investors. Planet Innovation's strongest advantage: founders came from the diagnostics industry, and diagnostics is still its strongest area.
How do TTP and Planet Innovation differ in pricing?
TTP uses time and materials, phased fixed project pricing. Planet Innovation uses fixed project, time and materials pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: TTP or Planet Innovation?
Planet Innovation is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each company before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between TTP and Planet Innovation?
TTP's primary differentiator is: employee ownership plus long-running drug delivery and surgical device work for large pharma and medtech clients. Planet Innovation's primary differentiator is: diagnostics roots plus product and commercialization experience in Australia and the US. They also differ in team size (Not published vs 300–400), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Drug delivery, Surgical & robotics vs Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.