Buoyed by a new marketing motto that is reflective of its shared mission, the Medica/CompaMed trade shows kicked off today in Düsseldorf, Germany.

More than 5,300 exhibitors from 70 nations are providing attendees with a comprehensive overview of the latest medical products, services, and developments for modern outpatient and inpatient care. These innovations span the entire medical technology value chain.

“Artificial intelligence, robotics, digitalization and networked care are shaping the transformation of the healthcare sector. At the same time, regulatory requirements, disrupted supply chains and increasing trade restrictions are challenging the medtech industry,” Messe Düsseldorf Executive Director Michael Degen said. “Amidst this tension, our specialist audience can draw on a wealth of resources and prepare themselves for change. We offer a variety of discussions and presentations with top speakers, the best networking opportunities and countless new products.”

A particularly high-ranking visitor to the four-day trade show (Nov. 17-20) is expected today as Federal Health Minister Nina Warken and NRW Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann participate in the opening event of the 48th German Hospital Day. “A new start for hospital policy—the courage to change” is the motto of this year’s Hospital Day, which will once again take place in Hall 10.

The healthcare industry and rapid market access for medical technology innovations are likely to be topics of discussion on Nov. 18 when EU Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi visits Medica and meets with medtech CEOs for an exchange of ideas and lunch. On Nov. 19, Minnesota Gov. and 2024 U.S. Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz is expected to attend, highlighting Medica’s international appeal, particularly in the United States. With around 300 exhibitors, the United States is once again one of the strongest national participants.

MEDICA’s new campaign motto—Meet Health. Future. People.—not only reflects Medica and CompaMed’s shared mutual mission but also the qualities that make them distinctive.

“This is where renowned personalities and trade visitors from all areas of the healthcare industry come together and make valuable contacts from all over the world. We offer them a comprehensive program with information and discussions on the most important trend topics in the industry,” Degen noted. “The entire spectrum of innovations for future-oriented medical care can be experienced live in one place— including technically sophisticated supplier products.”

‘Dr. Robot’—A Colleague With a Future

Medical robotics is currently undergoing particularly dynamic development. Such change is reflected in numerous applications highlighted by Medica exhibitors and in the stage program. In the future, robots will increasingly be used not only in traditional medical areas such as operating theaters but also in laboratories and logistics. Examples include blood sample handling and drug preparation. “The combination of robotics and artificial intelligence will also open up many options. Think, for example, of robot-assisted surgery based on AI-refined image data,” commented Degen, who envisions great potential and referenced the publication, “Robotics in Healthcare” that was released at the Medica pre-press conference. Developed by Messe Düsseldorf and the industry association SPECTARIS, the study offers insights into current developments, research perspectives, legal frameworks, and market data.

Hotspot for ‘Future Health Tech’

Pioneering innovations at the interface with practical application will be presented at the newly launched Medica Innovation Forum (Hall 12). The topics of the previous Medica Health IT Forum have been integrated into the forum’s stage program. Top speakers and key opinion leaders such as digital health pioneer Daniel Kraft and Spiegel bestselling author/reporter Thomas Schulz, startup competitions such as the 14th Medica Start-Up Competition and the 17th Healthcare Innovation World Cup send a clear message: With its program formats, Medica is the hotspot for the entire digital innovation spectrum—from smart wearables and artificial intelligence (AI)-supported diagnostics to micro-medical robotics.

The Medica Start-Up Park and the Wearable Technologies Show (highlighting the latest wearable technologies)—located in the immediate vicinity of the Medica Innovation Forum—also contribute to the event’s “innovation hotspot” status. Also in Hall 12, the Medica Econ Forum, organized by Techniker Krankenkasse, focuses its discussions on the German healthcare system’s digital transformation towards modern, networked care.

Start-Up Power

The Medica Start-Up Park in Hall 12 has established itself in the show’s digital health sector as an exclusive platform for networking with the inventive startup scene and has reached record participation with approximately 80 entities this year. Participants include HeartHero (U.S.), Bottneuro (Switzerland), and Healex (Germany). HeartHero presents a portable, user-friendly AED that automatically defibrillates only when needed while Bottneuro heralds a new era of neurotherapy with ‘Miamind’. The custom-made 3D helmet enables precise transcranial brain stimulation for Alzheimer’s, stroke and depression. Healex, meanwhile, is introducing a digital platform that automates and significantly simplifies billing and clinical trial management. “Hospitals lose millions of euros every year because invoices for contract studies are not issued. With our platform, we create transparency and secure this revenue for the healthcare system,” Healex CEO Alexander van der Mey said.

Agenda Hot Topics

Traditionally, Medica’s program reflects industry hot topics and this year is no different with such items as AI/generative AI, robotics and automation, and networked care in the spotlight. A varied stage program and special shows will focus on innovations for outpatient and inpatient treatment processes. The experience worlds include: Laboratory Technology and Diagnostics (with Medica Labmed Forum in Hall 1), Medical Technology and Electromedicine (with Medica Tech Forum and “Hospital of the Future” in Hall 10), Consumables and Disposables, and Physiotherapy and Orthopaedic Technology (with the Medica Sports Hub in Hall 4).

This range of topics and products at Medica is unique worldwide in combination with CompaMed, which occurs in parallel and has developed into the world’s leading platform for the medtech industry’s supplier sector. Roughly 750 exhibitors will present a variety of high-tech solutions and innovations that help drive medical progress. The spectrum of supplier expertise for medical technology (in Halls 8a and 8b) reaches across five spheres: manufacturing and devices (including components, parts, manufacturing processes); services and advice (e.g. research, development, services); materials (including plastics, glass, ceramics, metals, composite materials, adhesives, packaging); micro tech (microcomponents, microfluidics); and IT in tech (software development and maintenance for medical technology).

Trade visitors from more than 160 countries are expected to attend Medica and CompaMed this year.

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