Medical manufacturing under the spotlight

The Med-Tech Innovation Expo, taking place at the NEC, Birmingham in June is an annual gathering for stakeholders involved in the latest technological innovations in healthcare. The show will focus on the latest strategies, tools, and equipment that enable medical device manufacturing organisations to retain a competitive edge in this continually expanding industry. PES reports.

Med-Tech Innovation Expo is the UK and Ireland’s leading event for medical device supply chain intelligence.

This year the two-day show which takes place from 8-9 June will bring together designers, engineers, innovators and manufacturers from across the medical and healthcare sectors to explore new ideas, understand emerging technologies, and source products and services from more than 150 companies representing the complete medical device and manufacturing supply chain.

There is also an opportunity to hear from thought-leaders across two conference stages as they discuss the hottest topics in medical technology, including regulation, market access, start-ups and more.

Ian Bolland, from the Rapid News Group which organises the show and is editor of Med-Tech Innovation News says there has never been a better time to attend the show and discover the latest industry developments including the transition in the UK from EU product certification requirements to the new UK specific regulations after Brexit.

“The past few years have shone a light on the sector that I don’t think was there prior to the pandemic,” he says. “There have been some attempts from government to capitalise on that with various initiatives, but that hasn’t always had the desired effect. There are other factors to consider: changes in regulation, whether that’s because of changes in EU regulations for UK companies that deal there, and for those transitioning to the UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) mark.”

Conference insights

There will be a number of conference opportunities within the show halls at this year’s event.

The Med-Tech Innovation Conference, in association with Medilink UK, is now the UK’s key annual summit for medical device OEMs, with a CPD-accredited programme that offers thought leadership from some of the sector’s biggest names.

Produced by Medilink UK, the stage has featured leading figures from Boston Scientific, Roche Diagnostics, NHS England, Innovate UK, and the MHRA in the past.

Attendees can learn about the regulatory and market access opportunities from those with senior-level insights, question policymakers and influencers, and network with a first-class line up of speakers.

Furthermore, the Introducing Health-Tech Stage is an opportunity to get a flavour of the best engineering technology from the show floor, some of the finished devices and the processes behind them, as well as a look at the stars of the future.

Visitors will have the chance to hear from experts as they share tips and guidance on what works, what doesn’t and how to bring a device to market while maintaining regulatory compliance and overcoming challenges.

“On the conference side of things, we are hosting a couple of panel sessions to provide advice to start-ups on how to tackle the regulatory challenges businesses face, and how to avoid a dreaded medical device recall,” Mr Bolland says. “Our programme will also address health inequalities and the use of more digital technologies within the sector with speakers from the likes of Microsoft and Roche – and possibly a familiar face from the last couple of years.”

Pitch perfect

Following on from the successful inaugural edition in 2021, Pitch is a start-up competition at the Med-Tech Innovation Expo that brings together the world’s leading, early-stage medical technology start-ups for a live on-stage accelerator-style pitching session.

Start-ups play a huge part in the medical technology industry; they are working to revolutionise healthcare solutions for the medical challenges of the future and Pitch is a great way to evaluate the latest emerging technologies from a range of exciting early-stage organisations.

Zones and pavilions

Med-Tech will also once again work closely with countries and industry associations to host a selection of zones and pavilions, so visitors can discover the latest and most relevant exhibitors and access expert insights.

Following its successful launch in 2021, there will be a chance to witness up and coming technology in the Start-up Zone where visitors can discover the next generation of innovation and talk to the innovators behind it. This zone will be a hive of innovation and new technology and will enable start-ups, spinouts, research projects, non-profit organisations and small businesses to bring their services to the market in the most cost-effective way possible.

At the popular Medilink UK Pavilion there will be a host of brand-new groups of member businesses, each with their own exhibition pod.

Medilink UK is a national health technology business support organisation with a strong track record in increasing the viability of manufacturers, service providers, designers, OEMs and suppliers of medical technology. For nearly two decades, the association has helped companies from concept through to commercialisation and nurtured collaborations between academics, clinicians and industry.

On the evening of the 8^th June Medilink UK, in association with the Med-Tech show, will be holding its annual business awards that celebrate outstanding achievements, international successes and innovative breakthroughs made across the life sciences and healthcare technology sectors in the past year.

Another area of interest will be the GTMA Zone that will return once more in 2022, featuring a host of member businesses exhibiting on their own stands alongside the GTMA team.

The GTMA (Gauge and Toolmakers Association) is a UK-based trade association representing leading companies in precision engineering, rapid product development, toolmaking, tooling technologies, metrology and other critical manufacturing-related products and services. The association focuses on major market sector opportunities, from aerospace and automotive to medical and marine.

Its medical network was one of the first sector networks the association set up and includes many companies with proven experience in the production of medical devices and components.

Additionally, this year there will be the Mauritius Pavilion represented by the Economic Development Board (EDB), which is the national investment and trade promotion agency for Mauritius that aims to promote the region as an attractive investment and business centre and a competitive export platform, as well as an international financial centre.

Co-exhibiting Mauritian medical device manufacturers will comprise Natec Medical, manufacturer of stents and catheters; Xtruline Co, a manufacturer of personal protective equipment such as disposable surgical masks, medical tubes and moulds, and Noraker Capricorne, a manufacturer of orthopaedic and dental implants and bone substitutes.

“With travel restrictions predominantly lifting, there is an international feel to this year’s show with strong representation from several countries – notably with pavilions from Mauritius and Italy,” Mr Bolland concludes.

“The Med-Tech Innovation Expo is a great opportunity to have a presence at the UK and Ireland’s leading show relating to the medical device supply chain. The role of medical technology and life sciences has been at the forefront of the response to COVID-19 but there has also been an explosion of innovation in the sector – and it provides a great opportunity for exhibitors and visitors alike to connect, in person to harness their potential.”

Med-Tech Innovation Expo
https://med-techexpo.com