How collaboration in MedTech advancements will bridge healthcare gaps

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that half of the world’s population lacks access to essential health services. This gap can be attributed to the high costs of medical services that prevent individuals from seeking necessary care. In addition, there are significant disparities in access to medical devices and treatments between developed and developing countries.

Cross-border collaboration in medical device advancements presents an opportunity to bridge this gap by bringing together expertise and resources from different countries to provide much-needed technologies.

Moreover, global relationships allow companies to pool their knowledge and capabilities, leading to faster and more efficient medical devices. This approach can also lead to cost savings, as companies can share the financial burden of research, manufacturing, and distribution.

That said, some challenges come with cross-border collaboration. It’s crucial to have the right strategies to successfully overcome those hurdles and make the benefits of medical devices available to the world.

Benefits of cross-border collaboration
Companies that engage in multinational partnerships for device creation can benefit from each other’s strengths to overcome challenges and accelerate product development. Here are some of the main advantages:

Prototyping and digital innovation
Prototyping creates preliminary product models and allows for iterations before producing the final version. Companies from different countries bring diverse perspectives and expertise in designing prototypes when they work together. This diversity fosters creativity and leads to solutions that may not have been possible otherwise.

One example of a successful prototyping alliance is between Hemex Health and Andrews Cooper. The two institutions have joined forces to solve the challenge of accessing diagnostic blood testing mainly in remote African areas by delivering a low-cost, compact, portable, and rapid analysis of blood samples. A prototype was developed that uses a combination of Hemex Health’s technology, which provides accurate results, and Andrews Cooper’s expertise in design and manufacturing. The strengths of both companies were synergized to create an effective, efficient product with a high potential for global impact.

Accelerated digital innovation
The entire healthcare industry has been disrupted by rapid technological advancements. Innovations like artificial intelligence (AI) help to improve diagnosis software and telemedicine and wearables make care more accessible to more people — but these innovations do even more than help patients directly. Cross-border collaborations can leverage these breakthroughs by combining the strengths of different countries to accelerate medical device development too.

A prominent case of accelerated innovation using AI is when Medtronic, a global leader in medical technology, partnered with IBM Watson Health to create cutting-edge AI-powered sugar.IQ for diabetes management. By leveraging IBM’s cognitive computing capabilities, Medtronic enhanced patient outcomes through personalized insights, predictive analytics, and decision support.

Cost efficiency
Pooling resources across borders can lead to cost savings in research and manufacturing. This is particularly advantageous for smaller companies that may not have the financial capacity to make medical devices independently. Partnerships between larger and smaller establishments can also lead to cost savings for both parties, as the larger company can benefit from groundbreaking ideas and technologies while providing valuable resources and expertise in return.

One potentially advantageous international relationship is between the United Kingdom and Nigeria. Single-use devices are regularly used in health facilities in the UK, but these are typically discarded after use. Nigeria may benefit from these devices, which could be refurbished and reused. However, there’s still an ongoing debate on whether reprocessing these devices is safe and ethical. Additionally, inspection, cleaning, and sterilization must be carried out to ensure safety, effectiveness, and quality before they can be used in healthcare settings.

Challenges of cross-border collaboration
Despite the potential benefits, cross-border partnerships also present challenges that companies must explore to ensure a successful and effective collaboration. Here are some key challenges for cross-border medical device development:

Cultural differences and communication
To succeed globally in Medtech, organizations must analyze cultural differences and potential language barriers, which could present significant challenges in international relations.
Variations in work styles, business practices, and communication norms may also lead to misunderstandings and conflicts if not effectively managed.

For example, cultural differences such as attitudes towards quality control and decision-making authority can impact the product’s success when handling manufacturing processes. The potential loss of control over quality can also be a significant risk factor for smaller companies when partnering with larger corporations since they have less influence over production.

Navigating Regulatory Considerations
A primary challenge in transnational cooperations is navigating the diverse regulatory landscapes governing medical device development and marketing. Each country has unique regulations, standards, and approval processes, which can vary significantly in complexity and stringency. Successfully examining these regulatory hurdles requires careful planning, coordination, and compliance with relevant guidelines such as the FDA regulations in the United States or the CE marking requirements in the European Union.

Intellectual property protection
Intellectual property (IP) is the rights provided to the person or organization owning the developed intangible creations and innovations. However, different nations may have varying laws and policies surrounding IP protection, making it challenging to safeguard and enforce one’s rights in a partnership. For this reason, companies must establish clear agreements on how IP will be managed and protected before partnering.

Strategies for successful international cooperation
Whether establishing clear goals or harmonizing global operations, the following methods can help businesses overcome potential hurdles and maximize the benefits of international alliances:

• Establishing clear objectives: It’s essential to understand the objectives and goals of any joint venture. This will help guide decision-making and ensure all parties are aligned in their efforts.
• Selecting complementary partners: When choosing associates, it’s vital to consider their strengths, expertise, and resources that complement each other. A good match can lead to synergies and maximize the project’s potential. Additionally, selecting cohorts with similar values and communication styles can mitigate potential conflicts.
• Global harmonization: Ensure all branches align their processes and maintain consistency before entering an international alliance. This can be done through a standardized quality management system (QMS), a set of policies, methods, and procedures to ensure products meet regulatory requirements and customer demands.

By understanding potential hurdles and implementing practical approaches, organizations can maximize the benefits and overcome barriers in international relationships. Cross-border collaborations have immense potential to drive advancements in the medical device industry and improve patient outcomes globally. Medical Product Outsourcing