Industry conferences seem to bring out the best in participants as different entities come together to support and learn from one another. The close-knit medtech ecosystem is no exception, as entrepreneurs and industry leaders attended the recent MedTech Strategist Innovation Summit in San Francisco, united in their mission to advance patient care.
The annual conference gives emerging medical device companies a forum to share their innovative technologies with a “who’s who” of potential investors and collaborators, as more than 400 of the top venture capitalists, investment bankers and senior business development executives from large medical device companies gathered from around the world.
More than 40 companies developing minimally invasive technologies targeting conditions such as scoliosis, structural heart disease, osteoporosis and chronic kidney disease presented their ideas. The two-day seminar also featured thought leaders who provided insight on some of the industry’s most relevant and impactful topics, which included attracting and securing funding, big company investment strategies and a look into the venture funding landscape in 2018.
The seminar concluded with a fireside chat with Fogarty Institute CEO Andrew Cleeland, who shared the organization’s vision to elevate the global medtech ecosystem.
The chat was moderated by long-time Fogarty Institute friend and industry supporter David Cassak, who is also editor-in-chief of The MedTech Strategist, and managing partner, Innovation in Medtech LLC.
Andrew shared the history of the Institute, started by Dr. Thomas Fogarty, arguably the industry’s biggest disruptor; and its genesis of the Institute, which is reflected in one of Dr. Fogarty’s quotes: “I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for my mentors.”
He also reiterated the Institutes strong focus on education, and interest in strengthening its partnerships with U.S. and global partners and government agencies to build a stronger ecosystem.
The next MedTech Strategist Innovation Summit will be held in Dublin, Ireland, from April 17 to 19, 2018.