MedTech Forum: Avenues of Opportunity in a Changing Medical Technology Landscape

Value-based innovation and smart regulation as a catalyst for growth are the tent-pole topics at this year’s European MedTech Forum, which returns to Brussels from 10 to 12 October 2012. The conversation will be especially compelling this year, thanks to some serendipitous timing: the European Commission’s proposal for the revision of the medical device directives will be published shortly before the Forum convenes.

Value-based innovation is said to represent a safe passage to a sustainable future as the medical technology industry charts a course between an economic Scylla and demographic Charybdis. “Europe is facing rising demand for health services at a time when public spending is under pressure,” note Eucomed and the European Diagnostic Manufacturers Assocation (Edma), which joined forces at the beginning of the year and will jointly organise the MedTech Forum. “At the root of this problem is a demographic trend that will see an expanding elderly population . . . while the number of taxpayers contributing to the national treasury is shrinking.” By marrying cost efficiencies to improved health outcomes, value-based innovation can put the medical technology industry on a path to sustained growth, Eucomed and Edma believe.

Day one of the forum is largely devoted to this replotting of the innovation paradigm. One of the highlights will be European Commissioner for Health John Dalli, who will expound on Europe’s vision for sustainable and innovation-friendly healthcare policy. Later that afternoon, members of industry and academe and other stakeholders in the healthcare system will discuss how industry’s initiatives align with expectations from hospitals and insurers.

The second day of the event tackles issues related to medical device regulations and advances the idea that smart rules can promote growth. A distinguished panel that includes Paola Testori Coggi from the European Commission, Pat O’Mahony of the Irish Medicines Board and Zeger Vercouteren from Johnson & Johnson will hash out the specifics. That is followed by the always popular global CEO panel, which will include insights from Alexandre Conroy (BD), Rob ten Hoedt (Medtronic), Michel Heuer (Roche Diagnostics) and Xavier Berling (Stryker).

Workshops devoted to the dynamics of ambient assisted living, sponsored by Ernst & Young, and the revision of the medical devices directive, led by Raps, Topra and WMDO, will round out the event the morning of Friday, 12 October.

The event will be held again at the posh SQUARE in the historic centre of Brussels. For the full programme and to register, go to the European MedTech Forum website.

Hope to see you there!

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