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.

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KEYNOTE SESSION

DAY 1 - Tuesday, December 3^rd, 2024

9:00 AM
9:30 AM

Global investment trends in health industries: 2025 outlook

Let’s explore the landscape of global investments in health industries, emerging opportunities and challenges for 2025. What are the key drivers in the sectors of biotech and MedTech? What can we anticipate for the increasingly popular digital health sector, as well as for the One Health approach? How are regulatory changes, technological advancements, and market dynamics impacting these fields? Gain insight into the evolving priorities of investors and the strategic approaches shaping the future of growth and innovation in the health sector.

Antoine de Lachaux, Head of Unit – Life Sciences and Biotech, European Investment Bank

PLENARY SESSION

DAY 1 - Tuesday, December 3^rd, 2024

9:45 AM
10:45 AM

Diving into the future of hospital care: Creating value for patients, with patients

Imagine, decades from now: Patients would have their own health data at hand, personalised health monitoring deeply linked to their individual needs, educational content easily accessible, and tailored treatment. Utopia? Not so much, as hospitals have already acknowledged the necessity of a more patient-centric culture. Leaning on inspirational examples, experts will discuss what the future of hospital care would look like and the steps towards a patient-centric culture.

What is implied in a patient-centric culture and how this shift for hospitals functioning impacts MedTech ecosystems and stakeholders? How are the technological advancements apprehended for better health outcomes and how are they reshaping the traditional hospital models? What kind of collaborative approaches between hospitals and MedTech companies optimise value creation for healthcare delivery and patient outcomes and which impact can we foresee for innovation development? How is the digitisation of hospitals and treatment processes inherent to a patient-centric approach? What opportunities does is present for MedTech solutions and how are hospitals walking through their digital transformation? What economic challenges do hospitals face in adopting new MedTech, and how can companies contribute to cost-effective healthcare? What are the obstacles in creating a patient-centric culture, as well as in implementing new devices and procedures, for hospitals and how can they be lifted?

Moderator: Susie A. Ruff, Founder & Strategic Advisor, RUFF & CO. Business Innovation

DJ Hamblin-Brown, Emergency doctor // CEO, NHS // Careful
So Yung Straga, President, Shared Patient eXperience - SPX
Coralie Dorard, Head of Research, Actipulse Neuroscience
Ahmed Hussein, Surgery Research and Innovation director - ER4Surgery // Clinical Instructor, University of Eastern Finland // Kuopio University Hospital

KEYNOTE SESSION

DAY 2 - Wednesday, December 4^th, 2024

9:00 AM
9:30 AM

The Future of Medicine: Unlocking the potential of data

Data is the new gold. And what better way to invest it than in health? From precision diagnostics to predictive care models, how is data already transforming medicine and what future breakthroughs lie ahead? How are advancements in data analytics, AI, and secure data sharing impacting patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency, and what challenges need to be addressed? Gain a forward-looking perspective on how data-driven insights are paving the way for more personalized healthcare – making better outcomes and accessibility a reality for all.

Hema Purohit, Strategic Advisor & CTO Healthcare, Microsoft

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TRACK 1 – GROWING EARLY-STAGE INNOVATION

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

DAY 1 – Tuesday, December 3^rd, 2024

2:00 PM
2:45 PM

Panel discussion

Exploring how big-size and mid-size MedTech companies approach collaborations and partnerships with early-stage start-ups

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 partnerships and investment opportunities with start-ups and academic assets? How do these companies balance between the different types of collaborations that exist? What criteria do they take account when evaluating potential partnerships? Are there differences in their approach when dealing with early-stage assets? As a result, what makes a start-up an attractive target for partnerships?

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

Julien Payen, CEO, Lattice Medical
Hanaa Safya, Partnerships Manager & Strategic Alliances in Diagnostics, BIOASTER
René Pompl, Senior director Venture Technology, Siemens Healthineers

5:15 PM
6:00 PM

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 start-up/scale-up point of view? What is their role in accessing new financing sources? How do stakeholders build on regional strengths towards more internationalisation?

Moderator: Yves Bayon, PhD, Chief Scientist, Medtronic

Bodil Christine Reumert, Head of Strategic Innovation, AUH Innovation & International Affairs, Aarhus University Hospital
Filip Pintelon, Investment Partner Health, Capricorn Partners
Garth Smith, VP, Business Development and Partnerships, Ontario Brain Institute

DAY 2 – Wednesday, December 4^th, 2024

9:45 AM
10:45 AM

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 start-ups seeking early-stage funding, and how can they optimise their fundraising efforts?

Moderator: Arezki Yaïche, Head of Coverage France & Benelux, Mergermarket (ION Group)

Albert-Jan de Croes, Investment Specialist, Novel-T
James Mayer, Partner, CABHI Ventures
Jan Engels, Investment Manager, High-Tech Gründerfonds
Frank Bulens, Partner, imec.xpand

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TRACK 2 – BRINGING INNOVATION TO MARKET

#Market Access #Reimbursement #Pricing #Design

DAY 1 – Tuesday, December 3^rd, 2024

11:15 AM
12:30 PM

Panel discussion

Using IVDR and MDR to your advantage to efficiently develop the right products: innovative thinking or hopeless daydreaming?

While regulatory compliance is essential for bringing MedTech products to market, it is often perceived as a burden. Let’s explore how 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 commercialisation of MedTech products in Europe? Can companies still work their way through regulations or are we reaching a critical point of overly stringent measures? 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?

Moderator: Kyun Thibaut, Founder & Managing Director, COVARTIM

Nabil Riahi, Sales Director, GMED
Päivi Leppänen, Business Development Director, Innokas Medical
Susana de Azevedo Wäsch, Vice President Quality Management & Regulatory Affairs & Medical Affairs, Ypsomed
Peter Haasjes, Director, NextGen Ventures

4:15 PM
5:00 PM

Panel discussion

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

Securing seed financing is just the first 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?

Moderator: Arezki Yaïche, Head of Coverage France & Benelux, Mergermarket (ION Group)

Elizabeth Jennings, Managing Partner, Venture Atlas Labs
Thom Frielink, Associate, Curie Capital
Laia Pascual, Investment Manager, Ship2B Ventures

DAY 2 – Wednesday, December 4^rd, 2024

3:15 PM
4:15 PM

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?

Moderator: Carole Absil, HealthTech Strategist

Clément Morel, CEO, Axomove
Christof Debèfve, Strategic Business Partner, Xper Research
Serap Konak, Senior consultant, Flying Health

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TRACK 3 - DIGITAL HEALTH & MEDICINE INNOVATION

#DTx #AI #Drug discovery #Training & Adoption

DAY 1 – Tuesday, December 3^rd, 2024

3:00 PM
3:45 PM

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?

Moderator: Hadleigh Stollar, Chief Executive, Healthcare Innovation Consortium

Tristan Debove, Country Manager France, Orion Health
Gudmundur Ebenezer, CEO, Lifekeys
Alexandre Morel, Chief Innovation Officer and Co-founder, Vipali

DAY 2 – Wednesday, December 4^th, 2024

11:15 AM
12:30 PM

Panel discussion

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

Despite the potential of digital health therapies to revolutionize healthcare, adoption and development remain complex challenges. How do we define and characterise digital health therapies? What is the current state of the regulatory and reimbursement pathways for digital health and how does it impact the development of the sector? What initiatives are underway to promote interoperability and data sharing? 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 the innovative technologies in the sector? How can further collaboration between healthcare providers, regulators, industry, and patients accelerate their adoption?

Moderator: Susie A. Ruff, Founder & Strategic Advisor, RUFF & CO. Business Innovation

Cristian Toader, Digital Health Lead EMEA, Boston Scientific
Francesco Infarinato, Biomedical Engineer – Neurophysiologist, San Raffaele Roma
Cécile van der Heijden, Attorney at law, Axon Lawyers
Rick Overkleeft, CEO, 4MedBox

2:00 PM
3:00 PM

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?

Moderator: Paul Borm, Co-Founder & CTO, Nano4Imaging

Simon Lajboschitz, CEO, Khora
Josua Ziegler, CEO, Punktum
Garnette Sutherland, Professor of Neurosurgery // CEO, University of Calgary // OrbSurgical Ltd.
Chris Xu Yurong, Senior Business Development Manager, Huawei

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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

2:00 PM
3:00 PM

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

For emerging start-ups 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 start-up leadership.

What are the essential qualities and skills for effective start-up 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?

Moderator: Lynn Coorevits, Digital Health Innovation Manager, imec