Med-Tech Innovation Expo, a dedicated event for medical design and manufacturing technology, takes place in Birmingham at the start of April. Jane Hughes, group marketing manager at Rapid News Group, explains what’s new for 2020 and why the event continues to stand out.
Q) CAN YOU PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE EVENT?
A) Med-Tech Innovation Expo is the UK and Ireland’s leading event for medical device design and manufacturing technology. 2020 will see a host of new floor features, great content, discussion panels, and amazing exhibits; the catalyst for the UK medtech market to come together.
This free-to-attend event offers a unique platform for visitors to meet with peers, designers, engineers, innovators and manufacturers from the medtech sector. A key element at Med-Tech Innovation Expo every year is the wide range of presentations across three stages that highlight the latest developments in medtech, medical plastics, digital health tech and pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies.
The expo offers two days of CPD-certified presentations from medical device OEMs highlighting how the latest and futuristic medical devices were developed – from ideation to commercialisation. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the clinical trials process, regulatory hurdles, usability testing, materials compliance from experienced designers and CEOs.
Q) WHY IS THIS EXPO SO IMPORTANT AND HOW DOES IT STAND OUT?
A) We know that not all events are created equally, and manufacturers can spend too much time trawling through expos that don’t cut the mustard and are targeted at too broad an audience. This is why the Med-Tech Innovation Expo works – it is designed for companies targeting the UK and Irish medtech markets.
Medtech is a significant market that boasts 3,700 UK medtech companies – nine out of ten of the world’s top medtech companies have a base in Ireland. So, Med-Tech Innovation Expo is the only event that serves the whole of the £27 billion UK and Irish medical technology sector – a vibrant industry seen as a leader in the field around the globe.
It is the platform for exhibitors to showcase their technology innovations and expertise. You cannot meet the UK medical industry in such quantities at any other show.
Q) ANYTHING NEW FOR 2020?
A) As always Med-Tech Innovation Expo will provide unique opportunities for visitors and exhibitors to engage face-to-face. 2020 will see a number of new features on the show floor.
Med-Tech Connect, a 1:1 meetings programme will premiere at Med-Tech Innovation Expo 2020. It is a purpose designed, fully managed meetings programme that will enable attendees to request scheduled meetings, in advance or during the event, in a dedicated meetings area.
The Introducing Stage will host PITCH @Med-Tech Innovation 2020, a start-up competition for leading early-stage medtech start-ups. Finalists will give a live, on-stage accelerator-style pitching session for the chance to win 12 months mentoring and investment from NIHR and partners.
Another great new feature which will be live, on the show floor is an interactive cleanroom from Iso Pods Ltd. Visitors will be able to enter the cleanroom and experience the simplicity the pre-qualified units have to offer.
Q) WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING THE MEDICAL DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY COMMUNITY?
A) The medtech sector is all about breakthrough technology and the products and devices of tomorrow. While regulation is a key issue within the sector, it is crucial that medtech manufacturers stay on top of the latest technology, materials and product trends that healthcare professionals’ value.
With the advent of digital devices, manufacturers are seeking innovative cost-effective solutions that offer tangible benefits to society and to clinicians. Connected devices are coming to the fore like never before. Healthcare professionals are increasingly pushing prevention techniques as well as cure, resulting in growth areas for a range of monitoring and diagnostic devices. Alongside this we have the continued development of high-end medical technologies – scanners, pacemakers, diagnostic machines, for example – that are continually fine-tuned to ensure accuracy.
As an industry the stakes are high as manufacturers push the boundaries of technology to improve and extend life. In order to do this, medtech companies need the right conditions – insight and intelligence and the opportunity to forge lasting business relationships. Med-Tech Innovation Expo combines these elements giving visitors and exhibitors the opportunity to grow and develop their businesses.
Q) WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THE MAJOR TALKING POINTS TO BE AT THE INNOVATION CONFERENCE?
A) At Med-Tech Innovation Expo you will be inspired by thought-leaders across three conference stages as they discuss medtech, medical plastics, digital healthtech, pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, start-ups and more.
The world-class line-up includes:
• Neil Mesher, CEO at Philips UKI on the Med-Tech Innovation Conference Stage. With nearly 30 years of global management experience in the healthcare, consumer electronics and oil industries, he looks at discussing ‘How to Build World-Leading Healthcare in the UK’. Neil will explain some of the work Philips is doing across the UK to drive the next generation of data-driven healthcare and explore the deeper issues at play that we need to combat in order to realise the true potential of a digital NHS of the future.
• Edith Bianchi, global business development expert, medical device at S2T Solutions on the HealthTech Stage. Specialising in the medical device industry – specifically in digital health and wearable applications, Edith will be discussing ‘Bringing to Market: Skin-to-Thing Technology’, the challenges presented by drugs for more chronic conditions, are creating the need and opportunity for drug delivery systems.
• Patricija Januskaite, senior formulation scientist at FabRx on the Introducing Stage. Patricija is a chemist from the University of Leicester with experience in various analytical techniques. She will be discussing ‘3D Printing: The Future of Medicine Personalisation’, initially a futuristic concept, 3D printing has begun to make a name for itself as a superior technology for the manufacturing of medicine.
Q) WHAT IMPACT CAN WINNING A MEDILINK UK HEALTHCARE BUSINESS AWARD HAVE FOR A BUSINESS OR INDIVIDUAL?
A) The prestigious Medilink UK Healthcare Business Awards, held in association with Med-Tech Innovation, celebrate the outstanding business achievements, international successes, innovative breakthroughs and outstanding contributions to life sciences and healthcare technology sectors in the past year. The winners are decided by an esteemed, independent panel of judges and the awards are presented for projects that demonstrate they are tackling healthcare’s biggest concerns in unique and innovative ways.
It goes without saying that winning an award is great for business. Winners benefit from industry media exposure, joining an exclusive group of high-achieving companies and positioning their business alongside iconic past winners.
Q) RAPID MEDTECH COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDILINK UK RECENTLY ANNOUNCED AN EXTENSION OF THEIR PARTNERSHIP THROUGH TO 2020. WHAT’S THE HISTORY OF THIS PARTNERSHIP?
A) Both organisations have collaborated successfully on the event since 2016, when Rapid took on the annual event. The future cooperation agreement covers initiatives including marketing, conference production, show floor presence for both Medilink and its members, membership development and the production of the annual Medilink UK Healthcare Business Awards.
The depth of the partnership demonstrates that both organisations are committed to working together to ensure that the event remains the premier gathering for medtech, medical plastics, digital devices and pharmaceutical manufacturing technology businesses in the UK.
Q) IN AN INCREASINGLY DIGITAL WORLD, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE FUTURE FOR TRADE EVENTS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING SUCH A PLATFORM?
A) Med-Tech Innovation Expo 2020 will introduce visitors and exhibitors to a new meetings programme called Med-Tech Connect, which will encourage more people to meet and engage than any other show previously. Med-Tech Connect is a free service provided to all exhibitors, visitors and speakers allowing them to request meetings through an online portal ahead of the show. This online platform allows users to create a personal profile and identify key contacts based on area of interest and job type, so they can build relationships and create business opportunities – all in a pre-planned roster of private meetings at the show.
Benefits of this service are that users have access to the entire database of key buyers and contacts attending Med-Tech Innovation Expo and are able to speak to decision makers. This allows users to maximise their time at the show and make the most of networking with those that want to do business.
Med-Tech Innovation Expo takes place at the Birmingham NEC from April 1-2, 2020. www.med-techexpo.com
