Biopharma Business

This year’s Medtec Europe showed a record attendance with a 7% increase in overall visits. The event attracted 6,816 attendees over three days. 25% were senior level decision makers and 65% had purchasing power.

The new business matchmaking programme enabled 551 meetings and 3,498 business matches to take place, reflecting Medtec Europe’s strong commitment to driving business opportunities for the medtech industry.

Medtec Europe showcased presentations from experts on the importance of partnerships to design integrated solutions that will create the next generation of medical devices. Miniaturisation was one area where industry collaboration was highlighted as driving innovations.

At the Medtec Insights Theatre Jens Troetzschel, vice president advanced technologies, Heraeus Medical Components presented new technology the company recently developed, which facilitates new designs with unprecedented potential for miniaturisation of sensors and active medical implants.

CerMet is a new biocompatible material technology that will enable a significantly increased number of communication ports, 3D-Design and integrated functionality.

Technology and security

David Kleidermacher, chief security officer, Blackberry, gave a presentation on the latest innovations in technology and security standards that highlighted how security of mobile devices to control medical devices will be a key component for stakeholders in the future, and that collaboration will be needed to ensure security does not become a barrier to innovation.

“With more industries taking a role in the provision of healthcare products for patients and professionals, collaboration is becoming key. The medical technology industry can advance healthcare by taking a broader approach and offering more seats at the table during product development. This will increase opportunities to springboard big ideas that will lead to new and exciting innovations to provide even greater tangible benefits for patients. Through converging technologies the medical technology industry can improve clinical outcomes, enhance patient experience, and reduce the cost of healthcare,” said Jens Troetzschel.

Also highlighted at the event was the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning, ie. artificial neural networks modelled on the human brain, in the future of medical devices. Dr Ed Cartwright, CEO and co-founder of Elixir Technologies, showcased an example of cooperation between medical devices and AI software to help predict strokes.

Regenerative medicine is an area where collaboration will drive the industry forward. Professor Alexander Seifalian, director of the London BioScience Innovation Centre showcased new innovations in regenerative medicine that need the support and expertise of the pharma industry to take these innovations from the bench to commercialisation.

Start-up Academy

Medtec Europe once again hosted the Start-up Academy, an initiative designed to bring Europe’s most exciting new medtech companies to the show to share the innovations of tomorrow. Selected companies were offered a free stand at the exhibition and a presentation slot from which to share their ideas and explore opportunities for partnering and collaboration – ‘a truly excellent experience’, according to Sandeep Shah, CEO, Tarilian Laser Technologies.

The winner this year was Acquandas, a global supplier for sputtered, ultra-precision and high structured nitionol components, with their technological breakthrough microsystem fabrication process that enables disruptive therapies in the neuromodulation field, such as minimally invasive, intravascular deep brain stimulation.

“The Medtec exhibition series is an inclusive hub event at which everyone can meet and examine the issues that really matter to the industry,” comments Anne Schumacher, brand director, UBM. “By connecting buyers and sellers in this way Medtec Europe demonstrates its value in supporting industry and business growth and this will continue to be a key priority for us in 2018. As medtech innovations proliferate and evolve at pace, we strive to be the leading European exhibition for those who want to know not only about the latest innovations, but who also want to understand how to translate these ideas into products and services.”

Medtec Europe will return to Stuttgart on 17-19 April 2018.

Written by Lu Rahman