2024 Conference programme

Steered by a prestigious Committee, the MedFIT conference programme brings together bright minds to discuss the latest trends in MedTech, Diagnostic and Digital Health, to debate on innovation-driven topics, to foster learning and spark conversations that matter. International experts will address current industry issues related to collaboration, financing, market access and regulation as well as digital health and medicine.

Edit Content

SPOTLIGHT SESSION

DAY 1 - Tuesday, December 3^rd, 2024

09:45
10:45

Diving into the future of hospital care: Creating value for Patients, Healthcare Professionals, and MedTech Innovators

As hospitals evolve in response to technological advancements and patient-centric demands, stakeholders must align to maximize benefits and overcome challenges for patients, clinicians and healthcare innovators. This spotlight session will focus on these critical shifts and how to strengthen collaborative models to ensure value creation.

How are technological advancements reshaping traditional hospital models, and what are the implications for patient care and MedTech innovation? What collaborative approaches between hospitals and MedTech companies optimise value creation for healthcare delivery and patient outcomes? What are the successful examples of lasting industry and healthcare professionals’ collaborations and what is the impact on innovation development and patients? What economic challenges do hospitals face in adopting new MedTech, and how can companies contribute to cost-effective healthcare? How does digitisation impact hospital operations, and what opportunities does it present for integrating MedTech solutions like AI, robotics, and AR? What opportunities and challenges arise when extending MedTech solutions beyond hospital settings, such as community care and home healthcare? How to further leverage hospital and patient data to fuel innovation?

KEYNOTE SESSIONS

DAY 1 - Tuesday, December 3^rd, 2024

09:00
09:30

Keynote Session #1

Keynote speakers and topics to announced.

DAY 2 - Wednesday, December 4^th, 2024

09:00
09:30

Keynote Session #2

Keynote speakers and topics to announced.

Edit Content

TRACK 1 – GROWING EARLY-STAGE INNOVATION

#R&D collaboration #Tech Transfer #Early-stage financing

DAY 1 – Tuesday, December 3^rd, 2024

02:00
02:45

Panel discussion

Exploring big-size vs. mid-size MedTech company approaches in partnering with early-stage start-ups and assets

Large companies and mid-size companies increasingly depend on external innovation to find new sources of growth of competitiveness. How do big and mid-size MedTech companies handle early-stage investment opportunities and partnerships with start-ups and academic assets? How do these companies balance between collaboration, licensing, but also M&As, especially for bigger ones? Are there differences in their approach when dealing with early-stage assets? What criteria do they take account of when evaluating potential collaborations and licensing deals? As a result, what are the key steps in creating a start-up that is an attractive target for licensing or acquisition? What does this mean in terms of a financing plan for a start-up?

Moderator: Suzanne Elvidge, Freelance writer, Biopharma, Healthcare, Business

05:15
06:00

Case studies

MedTech ecosystems to boost innovation and care: What are they and how do they work?

MedTech ecosystems serve as hubs for collaboration, enabling stakeholders to address complex healthcare challenges and drive innovation.

What should be the main ingredients of a MedTech ecosystem? What defines a successful ecosystem and how do different stakeholders contribute to it? What are the key benefits of participating in a MedTech ecosystem and when are they really successful from a startup/scaleup point of view? What is their role in accessing new financing sources? How do stakeholders build on regional strengths towards more internationalisation?

DAY 2 – Wednesday, December 4^th, 2024

09:45
10:45

Panel discussion

Closing 2024, Diving into 2025: Discussing the state of the early-stage MedTech investment landscape

2023 was a slowdown year for seed and series A rounds in MedTech, what about 2024? This panel of investors will provide insights into the current state of early-stage MedTech investment, emerging trends, and future outlook. What has been the landscape for venture capital investment in early-stage MedTech in 2024 and what to expect in the coming months? Has the perceived shift towards mid to later-stage investments be confirmed? Who are the current most active investors in Seed and Series A MedTech: pure players, newcomers? How does the geographic distribution of investment opportunities impact early-stage MedTech financing? What about grant financing availability? What types of technologies and digital health solutions are attracting investment, and what criteria do investors prioritise? What tools, networks, and strategies are currently available to startups seeking early-stage funding, and how can they optimise their fundraising efforts?

Edit Content

TRACK 2 – BRINGING INNOVATION TO MARKET

#Market Access #Reimbursement #Pricing #Design

DAY 1 – Tuesday, December 3^rd, 2024

11:15
12:30

Panel discussion

Using IVDR and MDR to your advantage: How can you leverage regulation to efficiently develop the right products?

Regulatory compliance is essential for bringing MedTech products to market. Changing the perspective on regulation as a burden, this discussion intends to explore how can companies developing in Europe can leverage regulatory frameworks to enhance their market competitiveness. Where are we on the impact of MDR on the development and commercialization of MedTech products in Europe? What challenges and requirements can start-ups anticipate to adapt their development strategies accordingly? What strategies can companies employ to manage the growing waiting list of notified bodies and navigate regulatory uncertainties effectively? When is it a good idea to consider the US market for EU companies?

04:15
05:00

Panel discussion

Beyond the seed round: Challenges and opportunities in scaling financing for MedTech market access

Securing seed financing is just the first step for MedTech startups on the journey to market access. This panel discussion gathering expert investors and successful entrepreneurs aims to provide a better understanding of the timelines, operations, and budgets required to best measure the available funding options at the onset of new start-ups. How do startups and investors navigate the transition from seed funding to scaling financing for market access? How do they collaborate to optimise financing strategies? What role do regulatory considerations and reimbursement pathways play in shaping financing decisions? What lessons can be learned from successful start-up scaling pathways?

DAY 2 – Wednesday, December 4^rd, 2024

03:15
04:15

Toolbox session

Planning and mapping a successful reimbursement strategy for European start-ups

One of the key pieces of advice for MedTech start-ups is to start developing a reimbursement strategy from day one, because even the best idea without a reimbursement strategy would be worthless. The ‘problem to solution’ approach is crucial when it comes to attracting VC attention but is nothing without a solid revenue model and pricing strategy. Navigating European funding systems can be a challenge for start-ups, as each national healthcare system has its own characteristics: different levels of reimbursement decisions, fees paid per service, etc. This session therefore aims to map current payment systems for innovative medical technologies and procedures, including concrete initiatives to transform reimbursement and funding systems. Speakers will provide a practical overview of reimbursement pathways in the EU and share case studies and success stories.

Where can MedTech innovators go for reimbursement support in the EU? How can companies familiarise themselves with the decision-making process and engage with key stakeholders? What are the most important reimbursement considerations when targeting France, Germany, Belgium or the UK? What about new pathways emerging for digital health solutions such as DiGA or PECAN?

Edit Content

TRACK 3 - DIGITAL HEALTH & MEDICINE INNOVATION

#DTx #AI #Drug discovery #Training & Adoption

DAY 1 – Tuesday, December 3^rd, 2024

03:00
03:45

Panel discussion

Discussing challenges and opportunities of developing business models for prevention in digital health

Preventive healthcare has the potential to generate economic benefits and improve long-term health outcomes, but developing effective business models presents unique challenges. How can the economic benefits of investing in preventive healthcare be quantified? How to access and leverage the right data? Will EHDS implementation be a game-changer for innovative companies? What challenges do innovators face in designing reimbursement strategies for preventive digital health solutions? What examples of successful business models exist, and what lessons can be learned from their implementation? How to scale preventive digital health innovations effectively?

DAY 2 – Wednesday, December 4^th, 2024

02:00
03:00

Panel discussion

Augmented intelligence: Balancing human expertise with AI in diagnostic decision-making

Augmented intelligence has the potential to enhance diagnostic decision-making in healthcare, but striking the right balance between human expertise and AI is crucial. How do clinicians work with AI systems in diagnostic decision-making, and what are the implications for patient care? What are the current training and education programmes available to equip clinicians with the skills and knowledge needed? What measures can be taken to ensure transparency and explainability of AI algorithms for both clinicians and patients? What ethical considerations arise when integrating AI into clinical practice? What lessons can be learned from successful implementations of AI in diagnostic decision-making?

11:15
12:30

Panel discussion

How to accelerate the adoption and development of digital health and innovative therapies in Europe?

Despite the potential of digital health and innovative therapies to revolutionize healthcare, adoption and development remain complex challenges. What is the current state of the regulatory and reimbursement pathways for digital health and medicine? What to expect from the EHDS? What initiatives are underway to promote interoperability, data sharing and access to secondary use of health data? Have reimbursement processes like DiGA or PECAN proved their effectiveness in deploying digital health solutions? What are the key components of successful value proposition and revenue model for digital health innovations? How do investment strategies of VCs and big players influence the development and adoption of digital health technologies? How can further collaboration between healthcare providers, regulators, industry, and patients accelerate their adoption?

Edit Content

PROJECT - CEO MATCHMAKING

The Project – CEO matchmaking activity aims to connect representatives of emerging start-ups, technology transfer offices, incubators and investing networks with CEOs and aspiring CEOs. It includes a dedicated visibility for projects looking for CEOs on the partnering platform and a dedicated conference around recruitment or team-building issues.

DAY 2 – Wednesday, December 4^th, 2024

02:00
03:00

The path to becoming a successful CEO: Tips to wanabee founders

For emerging startups in the healthcare industry, the journey to success begins with effective leadership. This session will feature MedTech and Biotech CEOs, sharing their journey and insights for aspiring founders seeking to navigate the challenges of startup leadership.

What are the essential qualities and skills for effective startup leadership? How to ensure founders are “business ready”, especially when coming from academia? How to build the right team that will convince investors? How to work with your board and as them as proper advisors? What are the strategies for attracting and retaining top talents?