MedTech Flanders to double export of medical technology
A number of Flemish firms and knowledge centres have launched MedTech Flanders or order to help researchers bring medical technology to market
Gap between research and use
Among the partners are Barco Healthcare, Novosanis, imec and iMinds Health. According to iMind Health director Roger Lemmens, Flanders has top researchers and a number of reputed hospitals that want to integrate available innovations. “But there is still a big gap between the research and the commercialisation and implementation of products,” he said.
The goal of MedTech Flanders is to support the growth of existing companies, start up new activities –by bringing together doctors, technology experts and entrepreneurs – and make sure that the technology effectively reaches patients.
“MedTech is a strong cluster of companies and organisations that will share their knowledge, technology and network,” said professor Pascal Verdonck, managing director of MedTech Flanders. “Collaborating will also help companies to find new staff members , attract extra capital and influence government policy.”
Flemish innovation minister Philippe Muyters and welfare minister Jo Vandeurzen said that MedTech Flanders could also help maintain affordable and quality health-care services.
Photo courtesy Ingimage
