MedTech Bites December 2019 – edited by Jeanette Donnelly

The 2018 TIN 100 Report, launched at the end of October, showed the continual growth of NZ’s high-tech sectors. The report indicates there is continued foreign interest in our high-tech companies which infers the competitiveness of our innovations and technologies. This is good news for our start-up communities which need overseas investment and partners to scale and grow. October coincidentally brought visitors to our shores from the UK and Europe to explore our MedTech scene.

Prof. Patrick Bonnet, Director of UK’s National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA) was here to find research and industry partners interested in innovating to meet the opportunities and challenges associated with ageing populations. This is one of the focus areas of the UK’s Grand Challenges for creating better futures. NICA offers an ecosystem in Newcastle that connects research, business and industry, health and care providers, and the public. In 2020, NICA will be housed in a dedicated building to support these activities more efficiently where partners needing space will be welcomed.

The CMDT teamed up with the British High Commission to hold a workshop bringing together researchers from the CMDT partnership and affiliate companies to meet with Patrick. The workshop allowed the parties to understand each other’s interests. Opportunities to collaborate were identified and will be further developed.

Heiko Stumpf, German Trade & Invest’s new director based in Sydney also arrived at our shores recently on a fact-finding mission which included our MedTech sector. German Trade & Invest are keen to help German companies find business opportunities in NZ in medical technology sales and technology partnerships. It is also able to help NZ companies and researchers gain a better understanding of the German market. Heiko is planning to be back in NZ for the 2019 Healthtech Week in the first week of July, so reach out if interested in meeting him.

Our last newsletter of the year will be the November issue in which we will feature the latest opportunities from China. Next month two NZ health-focused events are happening in Hangzhou – The Ideas to Life Conference 2018 exploring innovations for healthy living led by the University of Auckland Innovation Institute China in early Nov; and a Sports and Joint Health Summit held in mid-Nov, hosted by Beyond Capital, an investment partner of the CMDT partners. Our researchers and companies will meet with the Chinese investor community, potential research and clinical partners, and get to learn about the healthcare ecosystem in the Hangzhou region.

Dr Diana Siew
CMDT Co-Chair &
Associate Director MedTech CoRE

IN THE NZ MEDTECH WORLD…