“For me, MedtecLIVE is a driver of innovation, a market barometer, and a strategic guide all in one.”

Anyone who meets Fabiola Hartung-Linz quickly senses her clear insight into the key drivers of digital medical technology. As a Business Development Manager in the MedTech segment at M&M Software GmbH, she operates daily at the intersection of technology, regulation, and product strategy—exactly where the future is actually being shaped. For her, MedtecLIVE is therefore not just an industry gathering, but a platform where the development trends of the coming years are already taking shape today. We spoke with Fabiola about the trends at MedtecLIVE 2026.  

Fabiola, what does MedtecLIVE mean to you and your company? 

FHL: For me, MedtecLIVE is a strategic platform for innovation and networking that offers a concrete glimpse into the future of our industry. Here, we not only see technological trends in their early stages, but also witness how digital medical devices, modernization paths for existing software, interoperable system landscapes, new platform strategies, and entire ecosystems actually coalesce into market-relevant solutions. For me, the trade show is not merely a showcase, but a workspace. We operate in an environment where regulatory requirements, technological innovation, and market strategies are directly interlinked. MedtecLIVE allows us to observe precisely these interconnections in a condensed form—not theoretically, but through concrete product examples, use cases, and discussions with developers, regulatory officials, approval strategists, and IP experts. What I also find particularly valuable is the intensity of the exchange. In just a few days, the trade show creates a network that would otherwise take months to build. We connect with stakeholders operating across the entire value chain—from strategic product owners and clinical affairs to cybersecurity and compliance. This diversity makes MedtecLIVE a true catalyst for strategic decisions for us. 

In your opinion, what trends will shape MedtecLIVE 2026? 

FHL: In my view, MedtecLIVE 2026 will be heavily influenced by issues that are currently not only affecting individual projects but are also reshaping the entire structural direction of the industry. These include the increasing integration of regulatory requirements with digital product strategies, the practical implementation of the EU AI Act, the maturity of cloud-based medtech architectures, and the question of how sustainable, scalable business models—particularly software-driven ones—can be established in regulated markets. Companies must engage more than ever with resilient supply chains and ensure their integrity, while addressing requirements for cybersecurity-by-design, new obligations in post-market surveillance, and interoperable data spaces such as the EHDS. It is precisely these topics that will not only be discussed at MedtecLIVE but also presented in the form of real-world solutions—making them tangible. 

I also expect a significant shift toward professionalism in the use of AI. By 2026, AI will reach a new level of maturity: less hype, more genuine implementation. The question will then no longer be whether AI is used, but how companies develop and operate AI-based medical devices that are both regulatory-compliant and technically robust. 

Which trends will be particularly influential in the medical technology sector? 

FHL: In my view, the growing integration of AI-driven digitalization with data compliance and regulatory excellence (MDR/IVDR, AI Act, Data Act), resilient and automated supply chains, efficiency gains through digital twins, and sustainable production concepts are crucial. They determine how quickly innovation emerges and how successfully products reach the market. MedTech is thus becoming more software-driven, interconnected, and strategic—and at the same time, more demanding. 

How do your impressions and conversations from MedtecLIVE influence your strategic work? 

FHL: MedtecLIVE provides us with an exceptionally accurate snapshot of the market—faster and more immediate than traditional analyses. Through conversations with customers, partners, and regulatory experts, we gain a very clear understanding of the pain points, which technologies are market-ready, and which solutions are truly needed. We use the trade show specifically as a strategic tool. We evaluate concrete innovations, assess which technological developments will be relevant for our customers, and identify new use cases that we incorporate directly into our roadmaps. Often, individual conversations spark ideas for features that later become part of a medical device. 

For me, the trade show also plays a central role in setting priorities within the company. MedtecLIVE provides us with reliable indicators that we can use to support strategic decisions. What is discussed there often already reflects the requirements that will become regulatory mandates or market imperatives a year later. 

What unique benefits does MedtecLIVE offer you? 

FHL: MedtecLIVE’s greatest strength is its focus. You find yourself in a high-quality, thematically well-defined environment where every conversation is directly relevant—without the wasted exposure often found at broader technology trade shows. Added to this is the event’s European character. MedtecLIVE is a true European platform: it connects manufacturers, software providers, suppliers, regulatory authorities, research institutes, and startups. This mix makes the trade show a place where both strategic and operational topics come together—always on equal footing. 

For us as a company deeply rooted in the MedTech sector, the proximity to decision-makers and subject matter experts is an enormous advantage. The discussions are intensive, technically sound, and often lead to concrete collaborations. Stuttgart offers an ideal setting for this—central, accessible, and firmly established within the MedTech ecosystem. 

Would you like to do more than just observe the future of medical technology—would you like to actively shape it? 
Then MedtecLIVE 2026 is the place for you. Meet experts like Fabiola Hartung-Linz, experience groundbreaking technologies firsthand, expand your network, and gain insights that will accelerate your next product developments. 

Secure your ticket now and become part of the European medtech ecosystem!