MD+DI Launches New Specialist Conference on R&D Portfolio Management for Medical Devices

LOS ANGELES, October 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Taking place December 1-2, 2011 at the US Grant, San Diego, CA

Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry (MD+DI), the leading news and media service for senior executives in the medical device sector, today announced the launch of its inaugural R&D Portfolio Management conference, a unique event focused on the executive management of innovation to ensure future growth and profitability in the medical device sector,

Developed through research with industry professionals, this medical device innovation conference specifically tackles the challenges facing R&D and portfolio directors responsible for the selection, investment and management of innovation projects.

Today's climate of FDA uncertainty, increased pressure on resources to invest, and increasing competitiveness, creates a dynamic set of challenges for both large and small medical device manufacturers and OEMs trying to manage opportunity and risk and deliver innovation.

Heather Thompson, Editor-in-Chief, MD+DI says: "There is intense pressure in the medical device industry to have a continuous feed of medical device r&d pipeline projects to ensure future growth and profitability. One of the greatest challenges today is a lack of certainty and predictability from the FDA placing unprecedented pressure and strain on the medical device industry, with no clear indicators as to when the situation might improve. If there's a slowdown in the pipeline/product due to changing regulation this can impact a company's profitability, market share, stifle innovation and cut into research and development (R&D) of medical devices."

The conference will open with a keynote address from well-renown founder of medical device innovation - Mr. Thomas J. Fogarty.  Mr. Fogarty will be joined by a industry-leading expert speaker panel including top executives from SANUWAVE Health, Inc., Cytori Therapeutics, Inc., Qualcomm Labs, Invetech and Bausch + Lomb.

"Today it is clear that the medical device industry must look further afield for new business strategies, and embrace how other industries strive to keep innovation alive in highly regulated markets and under resource restrictions," said Ms. Thompson. The conference will offer a different perspective from Ford Motor Company.

This conference offers best practice solutions and latest innovations, business models for long-term growth, strategies to help determine those products with the greatest commercial potential and return on investment and real world experience in getting products to market during this period of regulatory challenges facing the industry.

To learn more about the R&D Portfolio Management for Medical Devices conference and to register to attend, visit: http://www.mddi-portfolio.com

For sponsorship information please contact Louise Challis, Conference Director, MD+DI Conferences at +1-310-445-3722 or [email protected].

For more information on MD+DI Conferences please contact:

Nicole Maisner, Marketing Manager, Regional Head of Marketing, United States
T: +1-310-996-9416, E: [email protected]

SOURCE MD+DI