The EIC Pavilion will be returning to MEDICA with a delegation of 18 companies, from 11 – 14 November in Düsseldorf, Germany. Before the official start of the trade fair, we had the opportunity to speak with Martin Koch, Press Spokesman of MEDICA, to gain insights into this year's edition and explore the unique opportunities it offers for European deep tech innovators.
1. MEDICA 2024 promises to be a centre of innovation once again. Could you give an overview of the main topics and highlights that will define this year's event?
At MEDICA 2024, there will be a comprehensive range of innovations for outpatient and clinical use to discover in five experience worlds. The experience worlds in the trade fair are: Lab & Diagnostics (laboratory technology and diagnostics), Med Tech & Devices (medical technology and electrical medicine), Disposables (consumables and disposable items), Physio Tech (physiotherapy and orthopaedic technology) and Digital Health (IT systems and IT solutions).
The hot topics at this year's MEDICA include current examples of the application of artificial intelligence and robotics and supporting systems in everyday medical practice. A further focus will be on the ever-increasing networking in healthcare provision. This involves innovations for the ‘point of care’, i.e., diagnostics and treatment (in most cases outpatient) in the immediate vicinity of the patient. This also includes telemedicine applications to ensure optimal cross-sectoral collaboration between all parties involved in the treatment process.
Another hot topic at this year's MEDICA is the human factor. Almost all companies in the healthcare industry are affected by the urgent shortage of skilled workers and are looking for solutions. These will be discussed in the individual forums and conferences, tailored to the respective target groups.
Examples include the MEDICA HEALTH IT FORUM (on IT topics such as big data, artificial intelligence or cyber security) and the new MEDICA INNOVATION FORUM. The forum follows on from the previous MEDICA CONNECTED HEALTHCARE FORUM. Because digital innovations are not limited to the optimal networking of all healthcare players, the MEDICA INNOVATION FORUM focuses on the digital transformation of the healthcare industry as a whole. The start-up competitions integrated into the forum programme will put fresh ideas and product solutions from young development teams in the spotlight on the first two days of the event.
2. The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a major strategic investor in cutting-edge technology across Europe. How do you think its presence will influence the MEDICA 2024 landscape?
The participation fits perfectly with MEDICA. Not only is it the platform where medical technology providers meet users from the outpatient and inpatient sectors, but in recent years it has also developed into the place where the business of providers with each other is strengthened. This is where collaborations for manufacturing, distribution or product development are initiated. In this regard, the interaction with suppliers presenting themselves at COMPAMED is valuable. And MEDICA's role as a ‘launch pad for success’ for start-ups is also worth mentioning in this context, for example through participation in the MEDICA START-UP PARK. The young development teams, with their wealth of ideas, are important drivers for industry and, in many cases, make very good cooperation partners. So, wherever a lot of new business and the further development of ideas up to successful market placement is initiated, there are also numerous interesting options for investors to get involved.
3. MEDICA is known for its global reach and impact. What unique opportunities do you think this year's edition offers for European entrepreneurs, particularly those at the forefront of deep tech and healthcare innovation?
It is indeed important to emphasise the internationality of MEDICA. Three quarters of the trade visitors travel from abroad, from more than 150 nations. For the participating companies, this results in excellent opportunities for maintaining and establishing contacts for business in many other markets beyond Germany and Europe, e.g. the growth markets of Asia or the very strong North American market.
4. Given the focus on future health trends and the role of deep tech, do you have any recommendations for European innovators attending MEDICA 2024 on how to engage with potential partners and investors to advance their innovations?
One particular advantage of trade fairs like MEDICA, with their wide range of products and services and variety of programme formats, is that you can spontaneously discover a great many interesting things just by taking an attentive walk through the exhibition halls. This also includes the chance encounter in front of a programme stage, when you follow a technical discussion and encounter a large audience that is pursuing the same interests. But of course there is also the possibility of planned contact success. ‘Lead tracking‘ and “matchmaking” are the important keywords for exhibitors in this regard. With our “Scan2Lead” service, we support exhibitors’ data management with regard to visitors to their stand and the exchange with them after the trade fair. Speaking of exchange: the matchmaking tool from Messe Düsseldorf enables participating exhibitors to network with visitors or co-exhibitors at the trade fair in the matchmaking lounges or digitally in the app. The app can be used to make valuable contacts in advance based on your interests and to arrange appointments for the duration of the trade fair.
MEDICA 2024 is the leading global trade fair showcasing innovation for the healthcare industry, and one of the largest B2B trade fairs in the medical sector.
Explore the EIC Pavilion at the MEDICA 2024, Hall 14 and discover the latest EIC awardees’ solutions in biotechnology, healthtech, AI, and beyond!
Find here more information about our 18 selected companies for MEDICA 2024 and the EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0.
