Medtech meets digital at IVD conference
In-vitro diagnostics (IVD) and medical technology product manufacturers, notified bodies, industry associations and standardization organizations will meet at MEDXD on September 14-15 in Frankfurt, Germany, to examine digitalization’s role in the industry. The two-day event will feature discussions around challenges, visions, processes, solution approaches and inspirations in every area from product lifecycle management (PLM) to production and regulatory approval. MEDXD is organized by Siemens Digital Industries Software partner avasis and is supported by another local partner, znt-Richter.
“Man is born free, but everywhere he lies in chains.” This quote from 18th-century philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau is akin to the situation in IVD and medical technology. The industry is one of the most innovative in the world, but ever-increasing regulatory requirements are slowing product development and production. Digitalization is progressing slowly, and most processes are documented in a disjointed manner. It is time to act and bring experts together for discussions around the digitalization of product lifecycle processes. That is precisely what MEDXD intends to do.
IVD product development examined
The conference promises to be productive as stakeholders from across the industry including manufacturers, solution providers, notified bodies and industry and standard associations have an opportunity to weigh in. Lectures, discussions and workshops will be offered in lively rotation, and networking will not be neglected. Live demos will complement the exchange of strategies, perspectives and case studies. Agenda topics include everything from digitalization strategies and visions to concrete issues of product development, design transfer, production control, product traceability, technical documentation and product approval. There will also be sessions examining smart standards, digitalization standardization and the digitalization of notified bodies.
Medical device lifecycle and the role of digitalization
Scrolling through the program on the event page, you will find a variety of perspectives from industry players. The consequences of the MDR, smart global approval processes and manufacturers’ experiences with digitalization are contrasted with the notified bodies’ perspective. Strategy development, change management and the relationship between development and production will also be discussed. The wide range of topics is intended to provide a holistic conversation around medical technology manufacturers’ approach to product lifecycle digitalization.
Workshops offer focused discussions
The event’s second day will feature several workshops with a keynote speech to examine topics in more detail. In the morning, participants can choose from the following topics:
- Best Practice Change Management – Development and Interface Processes
- PLM as a central tool for collaboration in product development and administration of approval documents
- Production control – MES as a solution for paperless, QM-approved medical technology production
Alternatively, participants can opt for Workshop D, which will briefly examine the roles application lifecycle management (ALM), manufacturing execution systems (MES) and PLM play in IVD and medical technology design, production and regulatory compliance.
In the afternoon, similar topics will be covered in workshops so that participants can change or maintain their focus from the morning sessions.
Cooperation in the partner network
International experience and local industry expertise meet in this event by the Siemens Digital Industries Software partners. Expert Partner avasis organized the event to accelerate digitalization and product innovation in the IVD and medical device industry. avasis helps companies of all sizes and maturity levels digitalize processes faster and more efficiently. znt-Richter supports implementing Smart Manufacturing production solutions and Industry 4.0 transformation processes. The company has specialized in developing and implementing industry-specific, end-to-end manufacturing IT and shop floor integration solutions for over 35 years.
Both partners rely on solutions from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of software and services used by leading medical technology and pharmaceutical companies.
MEDXD will be held September 14-15 at the Percuma Event Location in Frankfurt.
About the author
Dr. Anna Selent is Head of Partner Development in the DACH region for Siemens Digital Industries Software, a role she has held since 2009.
