Day ThreeThursday, 26 March 2026 - Western European Summer Time (WEST)

Despite increasing global opportunities, the United States remains the world's largest and most lucrative medical device market, but also one of the most challenging to enter successfully - particularly given political changes, healthcare reform efforts, and evolving provider consolidation reshaping US market entry for medtech companies. The discussion will address practical considerations from reimbursement strategy to distribution channel selection, sales force development, and navigating the complex provider decision-making environment. With insights from investors and companies that have successfully made the transition from European to US operations, the panel will offer valuable guidance on timing, resource requirements, and common pitfalls to avoid.

• Impact of political changes and healthcare policy shifts on investor sentiment toward the US market
• Key strategies for successfully entering the US healthcare ecosystem, including reimbursement approaches, distribution models, and evidence requirements
• Navigating cultural differences in business development, sales processes, and provider relationships between European and US healthcare environments

The geography of medtech innovation in Europe continues to evolve as different regions develop specialized ecosystems with unique advantages for startups and scale-ups. This comprehensive analysis examines how traditional innovation centres like the UK’s Golden Triangle, Munich, and Lausanne are being joined by emerging hubs in Eastern Europe, the Nordics, and beyond. The panel will explore how factors including talent availability, investor presence, regulatory expertise, manufacturing capabilities, and government support programs are shaping these innovation ecosystems. For medtech entrepreneurs and investors, understanding these regional dynamics is crucial for making informed decisions about where to establish operations, seek partnerships, and build teams.

• Analysis of emerging hubs across the UK, Germany, and Eastern Europe, examining their respective strengths in different medtech subsectors
• Regional opportunities and incentives with insights from Ritesh Patel on how different innovation ecosystems support various stages of company development
• Strategic considerations for headquarters and subsidiary locations, including talent recruitment, investor access, and operational advantages

Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly evaluating whether to develop technologies in-house or partner with external innovators, this is no different when it comes to digital technologies. In-house development can provide greater control and business alignment while external innovators often bring fresh ideas and alternative viewpoints. This panel of partnership leaders explore the balance between in-house development and the continued value of external partnerships.

• The current balance between in-house and external development in Pharma
• Benefits of external partnerships in pharma innovation
• Case studies and real-life examples

Investment criteria for pharmatech startups vary significantly across funding stages. This panel provides insights into what corporate venture capitalists prioritize when evaluating Seed to Series B pharmatech companies. How CVCs must align with strategy of their parent company, how funding approaches differ based on company size and focus, and strategies for building investor confidence in AI healthcare solutions.

• What CVCs look for in pharmatech startups
• How funding approaches change according to parent company priorities
• Building investor confidence in AI-driven healthcare solutions

Despite the challenges of today’s public market environment, biotech companies continue to have opportunities to achieve growth, innovation, and long-term success. This panel brings together accomplished public biotech CEOs and leading investors to share their insights on how to navigate the complexities of public markets and capitalize on the opportunities they present. Through an engaging and forward-looking discussion, the panel will explore strategies for building resilience, driving investor confidence, and achieving sustainable growth in the current climate.

• What innovative approaches can public biotech CEOs and investors adopt to thrive in a dynamic and evolving market landscape?
• What are the key factors that drive successful biotech IPOs in today’s market?
• How can companies align their valuation expectations with market realities to maximize post-IPO performance?

VC funding remains elusive for many early-stage biotech startups, particularly in Europe where the funding gap post-seed remains a critical bottleneck. This session brings together experienced investors and entrepreneurs to share insights on how to successfully navigate the fundraising journey — from designing a compelling pitch to building strategic partnerships and choosing the right capital partners.

• Common pitfalls in early-stage biotech fundraising
• What investors really want to see in a pitch deck and data package to win capital
• Differentiating your story in an increasingly competitive landscape
• Direct feedback from VCs on deal flow, selection criteria, and red flags

Partnering with pharma can be a game-changer for early-stage biotechs, offering critical funding and validation—but the structure of these deals can make or break long-term success. This panel will explore the types of partnerships that work best for early-stage assets and provide strategies for biotechs to retain leverage during negotiations with larger pharma partners. Panelists will also discuss how to align partnership goals to ensure long-term collaboration success and avoid common pitfalls in deal-making.

• What types of deals work best for early-stage assets?
• How can biotechs retain leverage in negotiations with larger pharma partners?
• What elements should be looked at with care in term sheets?

While scientific innovation forms the foundation of biotech startups, effectively communicating commercial potential often determines which companies secure crucial investment. This dynamic panel explores how early-stage biotechs can craft compelling market narratives alongside their scientific breakthroughs. Industry experts will dissect how investors evaluate commercial viability in preclinical and Phase 1 assets, identify the critical slides and data points that strengthen pitch decks, and provide strategies for proactively addressing challenging commercial questions about adoption barriers.

• How do investors assess commercial potential in preclinical/Phase 1 assets?
• What slides/data matter most in a pitch deck?
• How can you address “showstopper” commercial questions (e.g., pricing, adoption barriers) head-on?

Artificial intelligence has moved beyond the hype cycle to become a transformative force in medical technology, yet how far its practical applications can go, and where the limitations are, remain to be seen. This expert panel cuts through marketing claims to examine where AI is genuinely adding value in healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Drawing on real-world implementations in clinical settings, the discussion will highlight how AI is enhancing diagnostic accuracy, optimizing device performance, and creating new possibilities for personalized medicine. The panel will also address the challenges of data quality, algorithm validation, and regulatory approval that companies must navigate.

• Distinguishing between superficial AI marketing claims and implementations that deliver measurable clinical or operational improvements
• Practical AI applications transforming imaging interpretation, diagnostic decision support, and device optimization across various medical specialties
• AI integration challenges, including data requirements, validation methodologies, and regulatory considerations

Securing appropriate reimbursement has become as critical to commercial success as obtaining regulatory approval, yet many medtech innovations struggle to achieve sustainable coverage and payment. Our panel of experts discuss how companies can integrate reimbursement considerations into their earliest development decisions to avoid costly pivots later. With healthcare systems worldwide under increasing economic pressure, new technologies face rigorous assessment of their economic value alongside clinical benefits. The discussion will examine how successful companies are navigating the fragmented European reimbursement landscape while building evidence packages that resonate with both public and private payers across different healthcare systems.

• Incorporating reimbursement considerations into early product development, including feature decisions, clinical endpoints, and economic value demonstration
• Navigating country-specific approaches in the fragmented European market, where coverage decisions, assessment methodologies, and payment levels vary significantly
• Building evidence packages that support reimbursement claims through appropriate study design, economic modelling, and stakeholder engagement strategies

As general trust in AI grows, a paradox exists in how patients trust general AI versus pharmaceutical-developed AI solutions. This panel addresses this trust gap and explores communication strategies to effectively highlight the benefits of healthcare-specific AI applications. Ensuring consistent quality of AI-driven advice across diverse patient populations remains a critical challenge.

• Addressing levels of trust in general AI vs. pharma-developed AI
• Communication strategies to highlight healthcare-specific AI benefits
• The role of data security in patient trust

Integrating AI into clinical workflows presents both significant opportunities and challenges. Our group of experts explore these pros and cons and share practical approaches to AI implementation in clinical settings, strategies for addressing workforce concerns about automation, and showcases successful case studies of AI adoption in clinical operations.

• Integrating AI into existing clinical workflows
• Addressing job displacement fears and workforce transformation
• Case studies of successful AI implementation in clinical settings

Few medtech companies can internally master all the specialized capabilities required to bring complex medical technologies from concept to market. This practical panel explores how, and when, to work with external partners across the development journey, from contract manufacturing to clinical research organizations and specialized consultants. The discussion will address the critical decisions around which functions to keep in-house versus outsource, how to select partners aligned with your company's stage and needs, and how to structure relationships that deliver value while managing costs. With the right partnership ecosystem, even small companies can access world-class capabilities while maintaining focus on their core innovation and strategic direction.

• Selecting the right partners for different development phases based on capability alignment, cultural fit, and scalability
• Negotiating smart contracts that protect your interests while creating incentives for partners to deliver exceptional performance
• Balancing in-house capabilities with strategic outsourcing to optimize resource allocation and development timeline

The convergence of miniaturized sensors, improved connectivity, and advanced analytics is enabling a new generation of wearable devices and remote monitoring solutions that extend care beyond traditional settings. These technologies are transforming chronic disease management, post-acute care, and preventive health approaches. As healthcare systems worldwide seek to manage costs while improving outcomes, remote monitoring offers promising solutions for keeping patients healthier at home while generating valuable real-world data. The discussion will address both the technical innovations driving this field and the business models that can make these solutions sustainable.

• Breakthroughs in home monitoring technologies that combine improved sensor accuracy, patient comfort, and meaningful clinical insights
• Integration strategies with existing healthcare systems, including EHR connectivity, clinical workflow incorporation, and data management approaches
• Reimbursement approaches for remote monitoring solutions across different healthcare systems and the evidence needed to support coverage decisions

The leadership requirements for a medtech company evolve dramatically as it progresses from early R&D through clinical validation to commercial operations. This insightful panel examines how successful companies manage these transitions by building teams with the right expertise for each development phase. The discussion will explore when changes in the team may be necessary, requiring honest assessment of capabilities and strategic additions to the leadership team. Drawing on both successful examples and cautionary tales, the panel will provide practical guidance on organizational development, talent acquisition, and leadership evolution in the specialized medtech environment.

• Navigating founder transitions through company growth phases, including when and how to bring in experienced executives
• Building teams optimized for different stages of development, from technical innovation to regulatory approval to commercial execution
• Leadership requirements insights from investors on the evolving skills needed as companies progress from concept to market

Ensuring the safety of healthcare innovations are crucial and have long been regulated by various bodies. Regulatory frameworks significantly impact the pace and direction of digital health adoption. Here we examine how regulations influence digital innovation in drug discovery, development, and clinical applications. Understanding the regulatory landscape is essential for successful digital health implementation. Key Points:

• Impact of regulations on drug discovery and development
• Regulatory considerations for AI/ML/Digital Twins in literature analysis
• Navigating regulatory pathways for digital health innovations

AI is accelerating the advancement of precision medicine approaches. This panel explores the future of healthcare through the lens of personalized treatments, examining how AI is breaking down traditional barriers to precision medicine implementation, and the implications for patient care. As computational capabilities evolve, we're witnessing unprecedented opportunities to tailor medical interventions to individual genetic profiles, lifestyle factors, and environmental conditions.

• How AI-driven personalization is reshaping treatment paradigms
• What barriers are being broken by AI
• Implementation challenges and solutions for precision medicine adoption across healthcare systems
• Balancing technological innovation with ethical considerations in personalized healthcare delivery

Large Language Models (LLMs) have diverse applications within pharmaceutical companies. Our panel explores these usages, including applications like virtual chemists, and examines the complex relationship between patient-facing LLMs and public trust in these technologies, as well as internal uses.

• How LLMs are being used by Pharma
• Applications in virtual chemistry and drug discovery
• Patient-facing LLMs and considerations for building general trust