Joining forces in the MedTech economy

Prof. dr. ir. Pascal Verdonck23 october 2014

Biomedical engineering advances knowledge in engineering, biology and medicine, and improves human health through cross-disciplinary activities that integrate engineering sciences with the biomedical sciences and clinical practice for a better healtcare

°Drummond et al., IJTAHC, 2008

Efficacy: does it work?Efficiency: does it help?Cost-effectiveness: does it reduce cost?

Biomedical engineering

The Belgian National Committee on Biomedical Engineering aims to bring together the Belgian academics, master and phd students, researchers and professionals, active in Biomedical Engineering.

www.ncbme.be

Biomedical engineering

IMPLANTSMEDICAL EQUIPMENT

& SYSTEMS

IN-VITRO DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL CONSUMABLES

7

MedTech employees EU

Online survey on medical device technology

Aim: overview of medical device technology research in Belgium

Survey 2012Medical device research topics

of the past, present and futureNumbers of researchers / students

Medical devices: definition

Directive 2007/47/ec defines a medical device as:

“any instrument, apparatus, appliance, software, material or other article, whether used alone or in combination, including the software intended by its manufacturer to be used specifically for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes and necessary for its proper application, intended by the manufacturer to be used for human beings.“

Participating institutes Ghent University (UGent)

Interuniversity Microelectronics Center (IMEC)

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KULeuven)

Universiteit Antwerpen (UA)

Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL)

Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

Medical device research topics

BiomechanicsE.g. computerized gait analysis, prosthesis, artificial organs, dialysis, cardiac assist devices, stents…

BiomaterialsE.g. testing prosthesis for toxicity, orthopedic materials (bone, meniscus), cardiovascular materials (artificial

veins and stents)…

Medical device research topics (2)

BioelectronicsE.g. Body area networks for wireless monitoring, integrated wearable systems

(ECG, EEG…), electronic probes for in-vivo deep brain stimulation, auditory prosthesis…

Medical informaticsE.g. telemonitoring, electronic medical records, electronic medical prescriptions…

Medical device research topics (3)

Medical imagingE.g. computer aided diagnosis, comparative analysis of mammograms, high resolution digital histological imaging, PET/SPECT-MRI…

PhotonicsE.g. sensors to measure the polymerization of dental resin cements, implantable optical glucose sensors…

Medical device research topics (4)

RoboticsE.g. intelligent prosthesis, pneumatic artificial

muscles, tele-operation, steerable surgical tools for endoscopy, robotic intraocular eye surgery…

Facts & figures (1)

UGent IMEC KULeuven UA UCL ULB VUB

Number of groups

involved6 1 10 1 6 6 8

Number of students 19 17 39 3 34 16 19

Number of researchers 73 51 155 3 42 29 28

Total number of researchers: 380Total number of research groups: 38Total number of master students: 150Total estimated cost for medical device

technology research in Belgium:

€ 40 million per year

Facts & figures (2)

17

• Know-How• Network• Financing

(seed money)

(years)0- 2- 10 + 3

(CHF)

Scientific research

Market

Entrepreneurship Start-upCoaching

Invest

Projects

Med Tech value chain

The Swiss model

- Pop. 8.000.000- 12 universities- 1300 companies

- Pop. 11.000.000- 13 universities- 380 companies

19

Swiss Med Tech value chain

MedTech.Valley.Flanders vzw

MedTech.Valley.Flanders vzw

Bart Swaelens ( ex CEO Materialize Dental) - Industry Pascal Verdonck (CEO AZ Maria Middelares) - Hospital Ewout Vansteenkiste (Ghent University) - Academia

Develop MedTech as an important economical driver (MedTech) Cluster MedTech companies and activiteiten to stimulate

growth (Valley) Interaction and cooperation with local (Flanders) and relevant

(inter)nationale organisations. No internal commercialization or servicing (vzw)

Who can join?

3 DNA criteria : Companies that produces devices that fall under the

European MD Directive Companies that exist already Companies that have an R&D and/or decision center in

Flanders

Goal Facilitate existing MedTech Companies in:

Internal netwerking and knowledge sharing External Visibility Sharing of heavy equipment and infrastructure Regulatory and Quality Affairs (QARA) Human Resources & Recruitment Reimbursement Access to Capital Business coaching

Develop new companies/activities (Facilitate) Merge Clinicians, Technicians and entrepreneurs Bring Technology and Innovation bed side

Reinforce the general eco-system Better support of clinical trials Systems for data collection More efficient and (cost) effective healthcare