Scenario of the Brazilian Medical Devices Market

MedTechWorld MD&M Brazil 2014, one of the main events of medical devices in Brazil, happened on August 26-27 at Transamérica Expo Center in Sao Paulo. This edition gathered together more than 3,000 professionals and 40 exhibitors.

One of the many interesting presentations was a study, conducted by Dr. Kleber Stelmasuk and Dr. Vitor Asseituno, both from Empreender Saúde, outlining the market scenario of research and development of medical devices in Brazil. The study revealed the strengths and weaknesses to enlarge the exports, increase the contact between university and industry for research and development, and identify what are the proposals to consolidate Brazil as a major global competitor of medical devices and nursing material. It also pointed out the concern about the deficit in the healthcare sector, since the industry doesn’t keep up with the patients’ demand.

References: http://www.empreendersaude.com.br/pesquisa-e-desenvolvimento-de-medical-devices-no-brasil-2014/

2014: So far, a great year for the MedTech Industry in the USA

      According to the MedTech Half-Year Review, issued by EPVantage, 2014 has been telling an optimistic story for the medical device sector.

     Some points of this report have to be mentioned: merger and acquisitions stands at US$27.2 billion, compared to US$19 billion of 2013. The report also notes that the value of M&A in 2013 was close to being the lowest in a decade. More merger and acquisitions are to be announced until the end of 2014/beginning of 2015. During the first six months of 2014, medtech venture capital investments stand at US$1.9 billion, less than half of the US$3.9 billion raised in all of 2013. But second quarter of venture capital investment was up 33% from the first quarter of the year, so the expectations are still high. FDA approvals are also moving very fast. For PMAs, the average review time was 18.4 months compared to the average of 35.9 months in 2013.

References:http://www.mddionline.com/article/5-points-showing-why-medtech-having-great-2014-so-far

Sales Increase in the Brazilian Medical Device Market

       Brazilian medical device sector is optimistic this year and companies expect sales to increase due to a growing demand boosted by the construction of new hospitals and labs, also because of the renovation of existing infrastructure.

      Regarding foreign firms, the Swedish manufacturer Sectra plans to replace the imports by a local production until 2016, by building its own factory or through a strategic partnership with a Brazilian manufacturer. The US-based Stryker, although it has no intention to produce medical equipment in Brazil yet, has an aggressive sales increase plan by exploiting other market segments with products made in the USA and Turkey. The company’s main concern is to recover the imports, which in 2013 fell by 15% because of the unfavorable exchange rate and inflation effects.

        As for the Brazilian companies, the expectation is optimistic as well. The surgical table-manufacturer Mecsul registers a sales increase of 20% each semester. 25% of Olsen’s production, medical and dental equipment manufacturer, is meant to the foreign market. Its medical line, for example, is sold in 50 countries. Over the past few years, Olsen’s foreign sales declined due to the competition with Chinese products, but the company expects this scenario to change.

References: http://www.abimo.org.br/modules/news/article.php?article_id=514

Crowdfunding: How to Raise Money Online

When it is time to raise capital, crowdfunding is not a usual way chosen by medtech companies. Especially because investors want to finance opportunities less risky which can bring faster return, like softwares, than some complex device that might take years to be approved by the FDA.

However, when a medtech company choses crowdfunding to raise money, it is important to know what can increase chances of success. GoGetFunding, a company that has helped people from all over the world to raise millions, names the best practices of raising money from online donors, for example, updating a company's Facebook status as daily marketing activity might ensure the crowdfunding. 

Some statistics are shown below:

 * Campaigns with day-to-day marketing plans raise 180% more;

 * Projects with an average word count of between 300 and 500 words raise the most money. Explain who, what and why;

 * Campaigns that have a personal video raise 105% more than those that don't. If a picture is worth a thousand words, than a video is worth a million.   

     Finally, GoGetFunding suggests 10 steps to use their statistics and raise money online:

1. Nurture relationships with your inner-circle of friends, family and extended networks,

       2. Evaluate how much you need to raise,

       3. Set a realistic deadline,

       4. Gather a small fundraising team,

       5. Have a marketing plan,

       6. Create an awesome, personal fundraising page,

       7. Launch!

       8. Reach out to your inner circle and then extended networks,

       9. Engage, update and thank,

       10. Success!

References:

http://www.mddionline.com/article/crowdfunding-best-practices-how-get-funded-

online-infographic 

A Role Model for the Medical Device Industry

Germany has more to proud of than the World Cup championship. While the European Union is suffering from an economic crisis, Germany has maintained a growing healthcare industry, showing impressive strength in all areas ranging from R&D and medtech startups to regulation and market growth.

The medical device sector is the largest employer in Germany, according to BVmed 2011/2012 industry report. With 5.4 million employees, almost one in seven jobs in Germany can be found in the healthcare industry. Germany represents 14.6% of medical device global share (second only to the United States) and exports 65% of medical technologies made in the country. To fight against the effects of an ageing population, Germany has implemented a series of major healthcare reforms over the past 20 years.

It seems like the medical device industry has a lot to learn from Europe’s strongest country.

References: http://www.mddionline.com/blog/devicetalk/whats-germany-better-soccer-medtech-140714

http://www.mddionline.com/article/what-germany%E2%80%99s-secret-how-world-can-learn-thriving-medtech-industry

http://www.emdt.co.uk/article/western-europe%E2%80%99s-medical-device-market-under-increasing-pressure

Brazil’s Medical Device Market: Opportunities and Challenges

As an important emerging market that has captured the attention of foreign medical device manufacturers, Brazil currently imports 60% of its medical equipment, amounting to US$1.9 billion. With 200 million inhabitants, an Unified Health System (SUS) and an estimated 36 million Brazilians ascended into the middle class within the past four years, public and private partnerships are necessary to increase the access to a better standard of care demanded by the Brazilian people.

However, this attractive market also shows some challenges. This is especially true when it comes to registration and certificates system, audits processes, administrative and import obstacles. ANVISA is Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency that suffers from processes delays and lack of professionals. Some initiatives have already happened in order to facilitate registration processes and market access, as  the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed by U.S., Canadian and Australian Notified Bodies with their Brazilian counterparts in 2012.

References: http://www.emdt.co.uk/daily-buzz/opportunities-abound-brazil-medical-device-market-expect-delays?cid=nl.emdt03

MedTech at the 2014 World Cup

        On June 12, Brazil and Croatia match launched the beginning of the 2014 World Cup. At the opening ceremony, however, the healthcare industry was cheering for something else besides football. The first kick was given by a paralysed teenager. This remarkable feat was possible thanks to an exo-skeleton controlled by the teenager’s brain.

  "The Walk Again Project is headed by Duke University's Center for Neuroengineering in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich and a number of other universities and research groups worldwide. Together they are designing the exo-skeleton and a 3D printed helmet that contains a series of electrodes capable of capturing brain waves. This brain activity will then initiate the suit's movements.”

   During this year of 2014, medtech breakthroughs have been more connected to sport events. Aired at the 2014 Super Bowl, Microsoft commercial shows how technology in general, and medical technology specifically, has improved the lives of countless people around the world. Another amazing video of Duracell, an American football player tells the story of how, despite being deaf, he managed to become a professional NFL player.

References: http://medtechviews.eu/article/value-medtech-world-cup-and-super-bowl