Medical-technology sector poised for lift-off

Miserable is how Dr Sackier describes the medical technologies investment climate in the last two years.

But it hasn’t stopped the US-based Professor of Surgery from helping to start five new companies over the past 18 months.

“It remains a hugely attractive investment area and this is the time to be showing what you can do and launching new enterprises. If you do, you’ve already defined yourself as bold, brave and willing to take a risk.”

“The world has new materials and new ways of doing things and a global population hungry for ways to alleviate the effects of ageing, poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Few, if any, countries can afford to pay for the healthcare people want so there is huge demand for medical innovations that will cut costs and do things more efficiently.”

“New Zealand is in a marvellous position. It’s hidden away, has room to move, splendid universities, and a blank piece of paper to invent new things and bring them to market.”

Grabbing that opportunity is the focus of New Zealand’s first medical technologies conference this month, where Dr Sackier will be a guest speaker.

Rachael McGuckian, Sector Manager Medical Technologies for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), says the conference is a coming of age for the New Zealand sector.

“Three years ago there was a lot of activity bubbling along under the radar but no one really knew what anyone else was doing. Now we have CEOs and Directors from different companies regularly meeting up to share knowledge and resources and we are forging strong international connections.

“The calibre of speakers and sessions at the conference reflects just how far the industry has come.”

Maturing Fast

NZTE’s Group Manager Operations, Peter Lennox, describes medical technologies as an emerging sector, which is maturing quickly.

He says the sector is already performing well, generating annual exports of around $650 million.

NZTE is committed to working closely with the sector to accelerate future growth.

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare (F&PH) still accounts for the lions’ share of earnings but it’s no longer a lone star.

Healthcare became the second largest category in the Technology Investment Network (TIN) 100 2009 study, which outlines the performance of New Zealand’s top 100 globally focused technology companies.

Medical technology companies on the list include F&PH, Orion Health and Orthopaedic Synergy.