Press Release
01/01/03
ABHI to celebrate the success of its 2nd Medical Technology
Forum
Productivity Innovation Safety
Modernisation
Following the success of its first Medical
Technology Forum in September 2002, ABHI held its second Forum on
10th July at Kings College London. The Forum attracted an increased
number of academics, government organisation representatives and
member companies with an active interest in the development of new
medical technologies, with some 60 delegates attending from 44
organisations.
Mr Oliver Wells, Chairman of the ABHI Medical Technology Policy
Group emceed the event and commented on the importance of bringing
healthcare industry stakeholders together to discuss current issues
and address the growing need in the UK medical devices industry for
the development of new medical technologies. He said: "ABHI's role
is to provide a venue for exchange of ideas, sharing of knowledge
and a support system for entrepreneurs and emerging companies in
healthcare technology."
Director General of ABHI, Gordon Aylward said: "The Forum
represents a unique opportunity for the Association and its members
to explore new ways of academia and industry working more
effectively together with a view to raising the Competitiveness of
the Medical technology sector. The goal of the Forum is to help
members find out more about new medical technologies that are
available to them and enhance the prospects of the development of
new technologies. ABHI has been and will continue to act as the
facilitator to make these opportunities widely available to our
members."
ABHI's (Prism) agenda was publicly announced for the first time,
presented by Mr Gordon Aylward. A unique opportunity for
partnership with the Department of Health and the Department of
Trade and Industry, (Prism) synopsis was presented to the audience
to inform them on this combined ABHI, DTI and DOH initiative and
outline the opportunities for them to get involved.
The forum also featured speakers from a variety of prestigious
healthcare organizations and academic institutions including
Medical Devices Faraday Partnership, TrusTech and Brunel
University, offering their views on how they can help companies get
involved, as well demonstrating case studies in commercialising new
technologies.
Prof Terry Young of Brunnel University gave an overview of the
newly funded (Multidisciplinary Assessment of Technology Centre for
Health) providing the audience with information on Healthcare
Technology Assessment, its impact on industry and how companies can
benefit from this work to develop and launch new products more
effectively.
Dr Richard Deed, Innovation Unit Manager at TrusTech put forward
the experience from the Manchester NHS IP Hub and case studies in
commercialising IP from the NHS whilst Dr John Egan, Medical
Devices Faraday Partnership Manager provided delegates with
valuable information on the progress of the Medical Devices Faraday
Partnership, in establishing research projects and developing of
training programs for the Medical Technology Industry.
Notes for editors: * The Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI) is the lead trade association for the medical systems industry. This sector comprises not only manufacturers of medical devices, equipment and consumables, but also service companies, distributors, professional groups (such as regulatory consultants and lawyers), and other suppliers to the medical community.
* The ABHI represents approx. 200 member companies with a total domestic turnover of about £3 billion representing approx. 80% of the industry output.
* The membership currently includes several Special Interest Sections and four sectoral trade associations, which in turn have a further 400 member companies.
* Member list: www.abhi.org.uk
* The role of the Association is to:
- Advance and promote medical systems (devices, equipment, technologies and services) within the UK and globally.
- Provide a forum for policy discussion with the industry's customers, legislators, public bodies and interested groups.
For further information contact:
Daniel Jones: 020 7960 4360
Email: daniel.jones@abhi.org.uk
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