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

Many large medical device companies are now looking externally for new research and development activities by partnering with early stage MedTech companies or Academia. While this may seem riskier, it is now a key way to complement their extensive product portfolio and to meet the growing valuation of potential acquisitions. What are the criteria that drive large MedTech companies to focus either on co-development or licensing? What kind of players are their partner of choice for external innovation? What are the pros and cons of the different approaches? Are there preferred areas (indications, products, families of technology) for these types of collaborations and why?

Introduction: Rogier Receveur, Senior Program Manager Innovation & New Business, EMEA Technology & Innovation, Medtronic Bakken Research Center 
“Collaborations between Startup and Big Corporate to boost innovation in MedTech”

Panel discussion: