‘The Compamed Suppliers Forum deliberately targets employees in design and quality management as well as product managers with its topics. We want the presentations to be as close as possible to medical devices,’ explains Marc Platthaus, editor-in-chief of DeviceMed magazine.
Particularly noteworthy are these presentations in the forum, in which renowned exhibitors at COMPAMED will present current technology topics from their development laboratories and production facilities:
- ‘Discover how cutting-edge hydrophilic vascular coatings can streamline operations and boost production efficiency’ by DSM Firmenich on Monday
- ‘Understanding the 2025 Updates to ISO 10993-1: Key Changes in the Biocompatibility Assessment of Medical Devices’ by Ramboll Germany on Tuesday
- ‘Benefit-risk determination for medical devices’ by Metecon on Wednesday
- ‘If a picture is worth a thousand words, a prototype is worth a thousand meetings’ by LEE Hydraulische Miniaturkomponenten on Thursday
The above-mentioned presentations at the COMPAMED SUPPLIERS FORUM reflect the diversity of current topics and issues surrounding medical technology production. Visitors can look forward to many more presentations at the forum, which will focus on the four programme highlights mentioned above. The forum also offers an ideal opportunity to exchange ideas and network with the participating exhibitors on these topics.
Three hot topics at the heart of the industry
With the hot topics of ‘Cybersecurity and data security’, ‘Technology and material innovations’ and ‘International medical market and best practices in market development’, COMPAMED continues to highlight three developments that are highly relevant to the medical technology and supplier industry:
Cybersecurity and data security: For manufacturers of medical devices and software, there is a growing need to incorporate security measures into products from the outset (‘secure by design’). The market for medical device security alone had a volume of around 8.2 billion US dollars in 2023. It is expected to grow at an annual rate of around 8.9 per cent until 2032. Devices with networking functions, for example for integration into the ‘Internet of Medical Things’ (IoMT) or for cloud applications, must be specially protected against cyber attacks. In a manufacturer survey, 96 per cent of respondents stated that device security was critical.
Technology and material innovations: Wearables are playing an increasingly important role in medicine, as they are a building block that enables patients to take care of their health more independently. In the long term, this can also relieve the burden on healthcare systems in terms of both personnel costs and expenses. The market for wearables was estimated at around US$42.74 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to around US$168.29 billion by 2030.
Innovation drivers include 3D printing, biocompatible materials such as novel adhesives, and smart polymers used in sensory or implantable devices. The further development of specialised electronics, such as miniaturised or flexible electronics manufactured using printing processes, is also contributing to the development of the wearable market, as are novel sensors.
International medical market/ Best practices in market development: Exporting manufacturers must meet a variety of regulatory requirements in different markets, which vary greatly in terms of classification, testing procedures, data requirements and post-market surveillance.
In addition, current trends in trade policy, such as tariffs and export restrictions on important raw materials such as rare earths, differences in standards, approval times and documentation requirements, are complicating international trade. Supply chain problems and standard convergence or harmonisation are also significant factors.
This also shows why a high-tech sector such as medical technology is particularly affected by international developments: the more complex the product (medical, electronic, software-based), the more effort is required to gain market access.
This makes it all the more important for all players in the medical technology and supplier industry to stay up to date with the latest developments. With its thematic diversity and broad-based programme – represented by its innovation-driven exhibitors and stage programme – COMPAMED will once again demonstrate that it is the right place to go for all aspects of the medical technology production chain, from A for automation to Z for approval.
COMPAMED 2025 and MEDICA 2025 can be visited with a ticket that is valid for both events. They are aimed exclusively at trade visitors. New this year are the opening hours on the final day (Thursday). The Düsseldorf exhibition halls will then be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On the first three days (Monday to Wednesday), the international healthcare industry can embark on a journey of discovery through the latest medical technology innovations from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
All information is available online at: https://www.compamed-tradefair.com and https://www.medica-tradefair.com.
Author's note: Timo Roth, COMPAMED.de editorial team
