Feeling the buzz
Med-Tech Innovation Expo returned, and it returned with a bang as over 100 exhibitors made their mark at the NEC in Birmingham in early June. Ian Bolland gives you a brief overview of what happened across the two days.
There was an international feel to this year’s edition of the show. With the Italian Trade Agency and the Economic Development Board of Mauritius accompanied by a cluster of medtech companies their countries had to offer, while the show floor also saw representation from Germany, China, Switzerland, the USA and Ireland among others.
With seven ambitious innovators on the start-up zone, sponsored by NIHR, Innovate UK and SBRI, it was good to see the buzz about these young companies as they showcased their innovations and ideas, culminating in the Pitch@Med-Tech Innovation competition on the afternoon of the second day.
The Pitch was the last session of Day 2, and the second running of this saw a packed-out Introducing Health-Tech Stage as Neuronostics fought off close competition of 10 other start-ups in this session of quick-fire presentations.
The companies had two minutes to set out their innovation and pack as much important information, including whether their innovation was a game-changer for the field it was operating in and could attract investors, meaning that it had to be a good business proposition too. Earlier on in the day we heard from many of the exhibitors on the show floor.
These talks ranged from the use of digital twins, some practical examples to improve medical device manufacturing, infection prevention measures that can be put into place to prevent HAIs and a personal look at the effects of the recently implemented EU Medical Device Regulation.
The ever-changing nature of regulation was a hot topic on Day One as a live episode of The MedTalk Podcast addressed navigating the regulatory landscape. Not only was MDR touched upon, but also the effects of Brexit, IVDR, the effects of COVID-19, and what the medical device sector could learn from pharma as I was joined by Laurie Rowe from Red Medtech, Fiona Maini from Medidata and Ricky Lakhani from Pharmaseal and a big thank you to everyone who attended, we hope you got something out of it (and we could be back for more next year, watch this space).
The Introducing Health-Tech Stage also drew a lot of interest for its talks for breaking down the barriers for healthtech innovation, and advice on how to get a product into the NHS – while afternoon sessions also covered new approaches to treat mental health conditions, how to launch a new medical device during a pandemic and the pitfalls medtech innovators should avoid.
The Med-Tech Innovation Conference Stage in association with Medilink saw two days discussing some pertinent issues that medtech is at the heart of. Speakers offered advice for start-ups, the opportunities for companies to grow beyond the UK, providing some insights of the opportunities that digital technologies can provide, while keynote speakers from Microsoft and Deloitte spoke about the need for a technological ecosystem surrounding social and research into innovation in diagnostics respectively. One highlight was a discussion hosted by Roche Diagnostics on how innovation can help rebalance health inequalities for women. COVID-19 has shone a light on all three of these issues and having expert insight like this certainly added to my knowledge, while audience members seemed particularly engaged.
For those who were unable to attend, you will be able to get a flavour of what was on offer on our Med-Tech Innovation Conference Stage on med-technews.com in the near future.
Med-Tech Innovation Expo returns on 7-8th June 2023 and companies have already taken the opportunity to secure their place for the show after a successful 2022 showing.
Shawpak, BioInteractions, Boddingtons, Guardtech Group, Nelipak, Chorley Consulting, ITL, OxDevice, PolarSeal and Wickham Micro are just a few of the names who are back for more in 2023. Once again, Med-Tech Innovation Expo will be held alongside TCT 3Sixty at the NEC in Birmingham. We look forward to seeing you all, and others, again in 2023!