Aust health innovators look to Medica for export success

Austrade’s regional director for Europe Leith Doody said huge export potential existed for Australian medical innovations in the European Union – the world’s second largest medical market after the US.

“Australia’s medical capability is based on a strong history of research, innovation, and excellence in precision engineering, a combination which is resulting in a new wave of world-class medical technologies,” Doody said. 

“Australia is also internationally recognised for its high levels of R&D expenditure, expertise in globalisation, technical skills, and a diverse range of health and medical enterprises,” Doody said.

“The global market for medical devices alone (including products such as medical software and equipment), is worth A$214 billion and growing by around 10% each year,” he said.

Australian medical companies will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with potential business and research collaborators, and present company profiles to licensing or business development audiences.

“With Australia’s medical exports growing by 18% in 2006-07 to exceed A$1.6 billion, Medica is a vital interface between Australia’s advanced medical companies and potential customers from all over the world,” said Janelle Casey, Austrade’s, Health, Wellbeing and Biotech Industry Team Leader.

Austrade has recruited a record 38 companies, with seven more Australian companies exhibiting independently – bringing the total Australian presence this year to 45 exporters.

Some of Australia’s most innovative medical companies will attend, including retractable syringe creators Occupation and Medical Innovations Ltd (QLD), leading medical distribution and healthcare service business Lifehealthcare Pty Ltd (NSW), children’s asthma product manufacturers the Visiomed Group (WA), and Voyager Imaging (VIC), a pioneering medical imaging company.

“From prosthetic devices to software, radiology technology to advanced surgical instruments, Medica provides the opportunity for Australian medical exporters to find new partners, meet with buyers, negotiate sales, strengthen contacts with existing clients, and analyse the international competition,” Casey said.