The UK health technology industry is looking forward to reuniting at MEDICA 2021 – the first live edition to take place since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The exhibition, which takes place from 15 – 18 November 2021 in Düsseldorf, will give healthtech companies the opportunity to strengthen relationships and be part of face-to-face conversations once more following what has been a challenging year for UK business, with the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As MEDICA 2021 makes its return on the health technology calendar, the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) will again be leading the UK’s most visible pavilion of health technology companies at the event.

The pandemic has stretched healthcare resources across the world to their limits. Throughout this, the UK health technology industry has stepped up, with several health technology solutions coming to the fore to assist with what has been the greatest public health crisis of our time. A number of these innovations will be showcased on the ABHI UK Pavilion in line with the event’s theme focussing on the needs of the global healthcare industry.

Paul Benton, managing director, International, ABHI, said: “Following months of uncertainties, during which time a number of shows in the UK and internationally were cancelled, the UK medical industry is eager to get back to business. The pandemic, coupled with huge global strain on supply chains, has thrown up a number of challenges, but the industry as a whole remains optimistic and looks forward to reuniting once more at MEDICA 2021. We are proud to once again be hosting a fantastic line up of leading and innovative companies who are all keen to find new opportunities and form new partnerships to develop their business across the globe."

At MEDICA 2021, visitors will be able to see what makes UK health technology world-class by visiting the ABHI Pavilion at ABHI UK Pavilion at Hall 16, Block H48, which will be home to dozens of exhibitors highlighting the very best of UK healthtech.

This year the list of confirmed exhibitors on the ABHI UK Pavilion includes: Armstrong Medical Ltd, ASep Healthcare Ltd, DDC Dolphin, DeSoutter Medical, Deltex Medical, EXCELLENTCARE MEDICAL LTD, GBUK Group, Innovia Medical, JEB Technologies, Manus Neurodynamica, Medezine Limited, Occuity, Penlon, PolyNovo, UK RepMed Ltd Smart Respiratory, Surtex Instruments, Timesco Healthcare, TriMedika, Warwick SASCo, and West Midlands Growth Company.

Due to safety reasons, the event was held entirely online in November 2020, but still drew a total of 45,000 unique users from approximately 170 countries. In 2019 – the last time it was held in-person – the event attracted more than 5,522 exhibitors from 69 countries.

H.M. consul-general in Dusseldorf Rafe Courage added: “We are delighted to see MEDCIA’s return as a physical event in 2021 and to welcome so many UK companies back to Dusseldorf. The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on the essential role the healthcare industry plays in our society. It is therefore apt that one of the first trade fairs here in Germany to open its doors once more for face-to-face meetings is also one of the largest platforms to showcase the latest developments coming out of the medical technologies sector. This is a great opportunity for our most innovative UK healthtech companies to demonstrate their capabilities on the international stage once again.”