Brussels, 3 September 2007 - Eucomed, the European Medical Technology Industry Association, together with its national associations, presents a case for the establishment of a network of National Medical Technology Innovation Centres (NMTICs) across Europe to the European Commission and national authorities.
Click here to download the White Paper
This White Paper puts forward the position of the European medical device industry with respect to the European Commission's and EU Member States' initiative to make Europe the world's most innovative region by 2010. Eucomed will follow up with high-level meetings with EU officials.
The medical technology industry considers that innovation is the key to enabling European society and industry to meet the challenges of an ageing population while recognizing the pressures brought by low-cost manufacturing conditions outside the EU.
The key objective of the White Paper is to set out a proposal to establish a network of NMTICs as a strategic approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities outlined above. Eucomed wishes to make a convincing case for EU support, including funding, for the establishment and management of said network of coordinated NMTICs across Europe. Eucomed and its member associations are prepared to enter into a dialogue with the European institutions in order to lay the proper foundation for a close collaboration between the private and public sectors.
The main impact and success criteria of establishing a European network of NMTICs would be a significant increase in innovation in the European medical technology sector. Not only would this benefit this important sector and its 400,000+ employees but it would also give a much needed boost to the competitiveness of the European medical device industry and help narrow the gap with, in particular, the US in terms of both overall investment in R&D and the access of patients to new medical technology.
Each NMTIC would act as a regional focus for innovation, providing specialist services to local companies (including start-ups and SMEs). At the same time it would be highly integrated into the wider research, innovation and commercial communities, thereby providing access to an international resource pool. The proposed centres would be based on a business model the key elements of which are: balancing market demand with technology push, and the practice of "Open Innovation". This approach is in line with the existing EU priority of ensuring the highest possible level of healthcare. It is also entirely compatible with European policy, as described in the Lisbon agenda, which envisages the EU as the world's strongest and most dynamic knowledge-based economy by 2010.
Eucomed is the Voice of the medical technology industry in Europe. Eucomed represents directly and indirectly 4500 designers, manufacturers and suppliers of medical technology used in the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and amelioration of disease and disability, including ATMPs. Small and medium sized companies make up more than 80% of this sector. The European medical technology industry invests some €3,8 billion in R&D and employs near to 435.000 highly skilled workers. The mission of Eucomed is to improve patient and clinician access to modern, innovative and reliable medical technology.
Françoise Braun
Project coordinator
francoise.braun(at)eucomed(dot)be
+32 (0)2.775.92.31
