“3D: Printing the Future”

           3D Printing, or more professionally called Additive Manufacturing, is a process of making three dimensional solid object from a digital model. It can print in plastic, metal, nylon and so many other materials. It can make manufacturing prototype, end user products and even human organs by using a person’s own cells. This is possible because of its technology: it creates a three dimensional object by building it layer by layer successively.

        Besides the industry sector and academic researches, 3D Printing is being used by physicians and surgeons. The most recent event, that was all over the international media, is a case that took place in the United Kingdom. Surgeons are using 3D Printing to rebuild a patient’s face which was crushed in a motorbike accident. However, the surgery hasn’t been booked yet. The theme became an exhibition at the Science Museum in London and it is called “3D: Printing the Future”.

References: http://www.3dprinter.net/reference/what-is-3d-printing

        http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-24926598

Brazilian Healthcare Industry: first semester of 2013

In the first semester of 2013, the Brazilian medical device sector increased 6,5% (compared to the same period of 2012). This is according to Abimed (Brazilian Association of High Technology Equipment, Products and Medical Supplies). This association represents 150 healthcare companies which are responsible for almost 60% of the Brazilian medical device sector.

According to the report, the sales were also increased by 8,6% and the sector was responsible for the creation of 3500 new jobs, both industrial and commercial sector. These numbers are way above national economy average.

The healthcare sector represents 0,6% of Brazil’s GDP, gathers 13 thousand companies responsible for 120 thousand jobs and its revenue was about US$ 9 billion in 2012.

References: http://www.abimed.org.br/notPadrao.aspx?idNoticia=110

Medtech Companies: Prepare for an Innovation Makeover

A report from PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC) Health Research Institute concludes that Medtech companies must change the way they innovate. In a new economy that rewards better care, innovation is the key if they want to keep adding value to its customer.

The report indicates new alternatives for medtech companies to innovate and become more competitive, outside traditional research and development. The report also shows a survey made with medtech executives, with questions about their innovation activities. PwC analyst suggest a innovation makeover for medtech companies, because customers (either hospitals, accountable care organizations or individual customers) now demand more in financial, convenience and health terms.

“Medtech companies must focus more on service and business model innovations that meet new industry demands rather than on incremental product improvements.”

Besides, the report suggests three ways for medtech companies to innovate: operate as a “lean startup”, new innovation metrics and get closer to the patient.

References: http://www.mpo-mag.com/contents/view_breaking-news/2013-10-24/report-medtech-firms-must-change-approach-to-innovation/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+MPOBreakingNews+%2528Medical+Product+Outsourcing+Breaking+News%2529

Emerging Markets: Brazil and the Medical Device Industry

Since the 2008 crisis that took place mainly in the United States and Europe, it’s been said a lot about the opportunities in emerging countries. But one shall be careful when analyzing these markets and try to evaluate its potential as objectively as possible.

        When it comes about Brazil and the medical device industry, some challenges one may face when trying to approach this market. Some of them are the bureaucracy, strong regulatory system added to long timelines and delays, high taxes and a structure that varies according to the product which makes hard to know in advance how much the price will be for the final customer.

        However, when you overcome the language and the cultural barriers, it is all worthwhile because Brazil is a huge market, with more than 190 million people, a large public healthcare system which represents 4.1% of its GDP, a US$4 billion in imports and US$700 million in exports of medical devices.

References: http://www.emdt.co.uk/article/medical-devices-brazil-oportunity?cid=nl.emdt03

Celebrate!
October 18 – Brazilian Doctor's Day

Google will start a new company focused on healthcare and biotechnology

Calico will be a new company focused on “health and wellbeing, in particular the challenge of aging and associated diseases”, says the company CEO and co-founder Larry Page in a Google+ post. He goes on in a press statement arguing that, even though the healthcare sector is a lot different from what Google does today, he believes that his company can “improve millions of lives”.

Google hasn’t released any specific plans or projects yet, but to keep the shareholders from worrying, Page says that these investments are very small in comparison to Google’s core business. This is Google’s second effort in the healthcare and biotechnology industry. Google Health was an attempt to store patient medical records online and it was abandoned because of privacy concerns. Besides, app developers in Google were also focused on others projects like Google Glass.

References: http://www.mddionline.com/article/google-calico-wants-you-live-forever

Global Cardiovascular Medical Devices Market by 2015

A report made by Research and Markets suggests that the global cardiovascular medical devices market will worth $65.6 billion by 2015. The report covers the years between 2009 and 2015 and it expects that the market of these devices will have grown at the compound annual growth rate of 9,8%.

When talking about regional markets, it indicates that North America will have the biggest share of the market at 40%, followed by Europe with a share at 30%. Asia-Pacific will be fastest growing region with a growth rate of 11,6% (comparing to the global growth rate of 9,8%), the market is expected to worth $17.9 billion by 2017.

Finally, Research and Markets divides the cardiovascular medical devices market in segments and for each one, the company indicates the CAGR (compound annual growth rate) and market values. For example, it expects that the Cardiac Rythm Management Devices will worth $22.3 billion at a rate of 9.9% by 2017, followed by Interventional Cardiac Devices that will worth $12.3 billion at a rate of 11.6%.

References: http://www.mddionline.com/article/global-cardiac-medical-devices-market-be-worth-656b-2015