Reasons why 3D Printing Will Control the Medtech Industry

According to Rob Richards, business development manager for Orchid Design (Shelton, CT), which is part of Holt, MI–based orthopedic contract manufacturer Orchid, 3-D printing could soon catch on for manufacturing medical devices. Richards points out that, despite the arguments that one cannot achieve the economies of scale possible through more traditional manufacturing methods, several of devices are not manufactured in the same quantity as in traditional sectors. Besides, some of them exhibit a level of  complexity that would be much more expensive to manufacture through traditional techniques.

Several other  advantages of 3D printing were defended by Richard such as its capacity of being customized, precision and biocompatibility: “The internal geometries and structures are also enabling more biocompatible, porous materials that could allow orthopedic and other implanted devices to have enhanced properties such as promoting bone growth”.

Finally, Richards states that 3D printing is already getting more accurate, faster and cost is getting lower. “It’s only going to get faster and cheaper.”

References: http://www.qmed.com/mpmn/medtechpulse/6-reasons-3-d-printing-will-take-over-medtech?cid=sm.qmed.site.qmedsocial&hootPostID=50c7322d1c83622835b281ae1c99c51c

Rethinking 2014: Planning 2015

When rethinking about 2014, some consulting companies already have stats that show how the medtech industry performed last year.

Source: mddionline.com

            The results show a solid industry, with more than $380 billion worldwide sales, 5% sales growth rate and almost 10% of return on investment.

            As for 2015, the industry in the United States is still adjusting from the new tax on their medical device sales and the European sector is suffering from its internal pressure (see our last blog entry). So it seems like emerging markets are still an attractive type of investment: Asia represents more than one-sixth of the world’s medical device market and one should expect a double-digit growth in markets such as Mexico, Brazil and Malaysia thanks to increasing healthcare spending. “Expect more device companies to focus on these import-heavy markets, with Latin America and the Middle East as the most important growth sources for medical device manufacturers.”

References: http://www.mddionline.com/article/how-did-medtech-stack-2014-12-19-2014

http://www.mddionline.com/article/state-global-medtech-markets-12-19-2014

European Healthcare System: Changes for a Sustainable Future

Europe might need to rethink its healthcare system in order to put it back on a sustainable track. Not only the European industry is suffering from increased demand, as a result of its demographic trend (expanding elderly population), but also because government spendings are under pressure and there are ever fewer healthcare professionals.

According to MedTech Europe, the industry has developed a Contract for a Healthy Future, its five-year strategy, in which they commit themselves to adapt their “business model to deliver value-based innovations which will help steer European healthcare systems onto a sustainable path.” MedTech Europe and Boston Consulting Group have developed a report that “looks at how companies respond to the new market realities and where the industry stands in terms of making the necessary changes.” The report is called “Slow Burn – The Need to Transform the Medtech Model in Europe” Their website also features an Economist Report which shows how 5 European member states have already taken measures in order to keep their healthcare systems sustainable for the future.

More information on the MedTech Industry's 5-Year Strategy is available at www.reforminghealthcare.eu

References: http://www.medtecheurope.org/key-themes/industry-strategy

Important Key Points to Keep in Mind about Consumerisation Strategies

During the BIOMEDevice San Jose 2014, Andrew Atwell, principal at Samsung Open Innovation Center, stated his concerns about consumerization issues in the healthcare sector. According to him, there are four key trends that medical devices companies should keep in mind.

First of all, and following other sectors: free data. Not only gathering health information, but sharing it between devices. These data, however, must provide and  convert it into relevant actionable information. Another important fact pointed out by Andrew Atwell is the importance of releasing the information in real time. According to him, in medical labs there are still many paper-based results that are manually entered by a lab tech. “The doctors should be able to see the data immediately at a patient’s bedside or on the golf course,” Atwell said. Doing so, patients would properly follow protocols after leaving hospitals and it would prevent readmissions. The last concern stated by Atwell was about usability. “The traditional form factor of many medical devices has been frustrating for many users.” Both patients and doctors are demanding medical devices and systems that engage users.

References: http://www.qmed.com/mpmn/medtechpulse/4-consumerization-strategies-medtech-need-learn-fast

Brazilian Health Devices in MEDICA - Düsseldorf,GE

During November 12-15th, the renowned international event of the medical devices sector MEDICA took place in Düsseldorf, Germany. The Brazilian companies, under the Brazilian Health Devices - ABIMO’s project in partnership with APEX-Brasil - attended the event and the expectation for the next 12 months is US$ 16 million in business development as a result of the trade fair.

There were a total of 50 Brazilian exhibitors at MEDICA and the numbers are impressive: more than 3 thousand new contacts in more than 120 countries. As an instant result, MEDICA provided US$ 2.292 million in new business for the Brazilian companies.

References: http://www.abimo.org.br/modules/news/article.php?article_id=526

Middle East and North Africa: Potential Target Markets

Consisting from Mauritania to Pakistan, from Egypt to Iran, these countries have been making huge efforts in order to increase both level and coverage of healthcare, regulate the sector, making it easier to operate and guarantee quality of products to the patients. Despite financial limitations and/or geopolitical instability, the overall trend is positive and sustainable political breakthroughs. Over the last two years, a continued effort to establish regulatory systems in additional countries is steering confidence in the sector.

The value of the medical devices market in Middle East and North Africa is estimated around US$ 4 billion and it’s growing by 5% per year. This heterogeneous market comprises approximately 650 million people with a cumulative GDP of more than US$ 5.2 trillion.

Mecomed is the Middle East and North Africa medical devices and diagnostics trade association.  Established in March 2007, they aim to build and improve the industry image and perception; help in substantially reducing non-compliant business practices; enhance access to key stakeholders; collaborate in critical projects with common interests. For more details, visit www.menamedtechforum.com.

References: http://medtechviews.eu/article/middle-east-and-north-africa-markets-hold-huge-potential-medical-technology-industry

Brazilian Medical Industry Grows More than Expected

As opposed to what is likely to happen with most of the sectors, the Brazilian medical industry will grow more than initially proposed. Abimed (Brazilian Association of Medical Devices, Products and Supplies) corrected the estimated growth of this year, from 8% to 10%.

“The healthcare sector growth tends always to be higher than the GDP’s, since the population is aging and technologies brings innovations”, says Carlos Goulart, Abimed’s President.

Other statistics are also optimistics. The industry sales grew by 9.3%; the production by 5.7% and jobs creation grew by 3,7% during the period January - August/2014, when compared to the same period of 2013.

References: http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/colunas/mercadoaberto/2014/10/1536106-industria-medica-avanca-mais-do-que-o-esperado.shtml