Medical Device, Health IT Export Earnings Could Double

February 22, 2012

Export revenues from New Zealand’s emerging medical devices and health IT could double by 2015, according to the Medical Technology Association of New Zealand (MTANZ).

The combined industries currently export around $800 million worth of products and services.

“The New Zealand medical technology and health IT sector have great examples of highly successful companies and a rapidly developing pipeline of innovation. A number of challenges must, however, be met if the projected growth is to be realised,” says MTANZ business development manager (Emerging Medical Technology) Angela Pantano.

In 2011, MTANZ produced a “Sector Blueprint” to identify the sector’s export potential and possible roadblocks or constraints to realising that potential. The constraints the blueprint most strongly identified were funding-related. Specialised skill shortages, compliance with regulatory systems and sales and marketing were also identified.

“Since the blueprint was released the sector has been working on a number of projects to minimise these constraints.”

MTANZ and the NZ Health IT Cluster have organised the 3rd Medical Technology and Health IT conference, “Global Ambition” in Auckland from February 27-28 to bring together representatives from Government, research, the healthcare sector and the emerging medical technology and health IT industries to discuss progress on blueprint projects and map out further strategies to realise the immense potential of this growth sector for the country.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce will the address the MTANZ conference on February 28. The conference will also host an impressive line-up of local and international speakers such as: Dr Jonathan Lasch, executive director for the Alfred E. Mann Institute for Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California; Gerallt Owen, partner Crowell and Morin, London, Head of International Regulatory and Corporate Crime who will speak on global anti-corruption and bribery compliance; Dr Murray Horn, chair of the National Health Board (NZ); Tony Alexander, BNZ chief economist and Mike Daniell, chief executive of Fisher and Paykel Healthcare. Delegations from the UK and Taiwan will also present on partnering for success.

The New Zealand Health Technology Showcase at the conference will feature some of the latest medical devices and health IT and current research projects being developed in the country’s universities, Crown Research institutes and industry.

MTANZ represents not only manufacturers, but also importers and distributors of medical technology used in the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and management of disease and disability.

New Zealand companies currently design, manufacture and export such devices as machines to manage obstructive sleep apnoea and other respiratory conditions; customised titanium hip, knee and neck implants; specialised dental technology and implants, among others.

ENDS

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