Prescription for success: Medtec preview

Medical electronics is, by general agreement, one of those markets which offers a wide range of opportunities to UK companies. But the sector requires knowledge of regulations and Directives, as well as the particular needs of the medical community. The MEDTEC UK Conference, being held at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre on 27 and 28 April, will provide companies supplying – or looking to supply – to the medical device market with a roadmap of practical information and guidance. This, says organiser Canon Communications, will allow the development of strategies for success. The conference will have three key areas of focus: * The challenges and solutions in managing the implementation of the Medical Directive for EU and globally marketed products, including 'New obligations for clinical data' and 'How the Directive is interpreted by manufacturers, authorities and notified bodies' * Federal Drug Administration and Centre for Devices and Radiological Health policy changes and their impact on getting products to market in the US, and * Quality and risk management strategies throughout product development. Day One of the conference will address the regulatory landscape. Topics to be covered include: * The Medical Device Directive in Europe: Now and the future * Clinical Evaluation and Investigation * Reprocessing and Reuse of Single Use Medical Devices * E-Labelling of Medical Devices * Post Market Surveillance and Vigilance * Medical Devices RECAST – where do we stand? Day two will have a business focus. Presentations due to be made include: * Surviving the Squeeze: trends from the medical technology industry * The Changing NHS Research Environment for Medtec Clinical Trials * Evaluation of Medtec Products by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) * The Procurement Landscape – how to make yourself attractive to the NHS These presentations will be followed by a round table discussing the future of medical device development for an ageing population. Technology Forum MEDTEC UK will be complemented by the two day Medical Device Innovation Technology Forum. This educational feature is designed to bring attendees up to date with market analysis and commercial opportunities, as well as with the latest research and technology developments including clinical viewpoints and academic research. According to Canon Communications, the Forum is intended to foster closer ties between UK institutions and industry in order to further the development of medical devices on a global scale. Key areas of focus for the Forum will include: * Commercial opportunities in the global medical device industry * Trends and developments in the medical device industry * Innovation of devices for drug delivery * Innovation in devices for trauma management * Presentation of research by British institutions Exhibition The conference is accompanied by an exhibition with several focus areas. * PrecisionTec – technologies for the manufacture of surgical devices, implants and interventional cardio devices. * MediPack – materials and machinery for the packaging of medical devices and manufacture of pharmaceutical drug delivery systems. * BioMaterials – high performance materials and techniques for medical manufacturing. * Automation, Assembly and Robotics – showcasing the latest automated production and assembly techniques, and * MediDesign – design companies focusing on the medical device market. For more information on MEDTEC UK and on the Medical Device Innovation Technology Forum, go to http://www.medtecuk.co.uk