Medical Technology as a Future Field
Technologies, Markets and Strategic Options
The industry report for MedtecLIVE 2026, 5–7 May 2026
“We always talk about Big Pharma. This is Mighty MedTech.”
Dr Marc-Pierre Möll, Managing Director, BVMed
The future of medical technology begins now
Medical technology is one of the fastest-growing and most innovative industries globally. Demographic change, technological progress and rising demand for healthcare are creating sustained demand for new solutions. At the same time, increasing costs, complex regulation, skills shortages and global competition are reshaping the sector’s operating environment.
The MedtecLIVE Industry Report 2026, “Medical Technology as a Future Field: Technologies, Markets and Strategic Options”, examines these key developments and addresses the strategic questions that will shape the sector in the years ahead. These topics will also be explored in depth at MedtecLIVE 2026.
📄 Download the industry report now
📍 Experience the topics live at MedtecLIVE 2026
Secure your ticket now using the e-code "MTL26-Report-LP-DE" (registration required).
“Healthcare expenditure must not primarily be understood as consumption, but must be regarded as an investment: in the health of the population, in infrastructure, in jobs and in innovation. If we see it this way, the system has a future.”
Prof. Dr med. Tobias Gantner, Managing Director, HealthCare Futurists GmbH
Key topics of the industry report
The report examines key developments in medical technology from multiple perspectives, combining market analyses with insights from industry experts across companies, associations and innovation networks.
The main areas of focus are:
• Effectiveness
• Digitalisation
• Internationalisation
• Sustainability
• Emerging technologies
• Industrial adjacencies
Six perspectives on the future of medical technology
Effectiveness
Innovation in medical technology is increasingly assessed by the extent to which it contributes to improving healthcare systems. Products must be manufactured efficiently, demonstrate measurable impact in clinical practice and enhance processes within the healthcare system.
Digitalisation
Rising costs, skills shortages and increasing pressure on outcomes are forcing companies to rethink their value creation—from development and production through to application in everyday care. At the same time, the sector is still far from experiencing a “digital breakthrough”.
Internationalisation
Medical technology is a highly export-oriented industry. International markets offer significant growth potential, but increasingly require local partnerships, regulatory expertise and well-founded strategic market decisions.
Sustainability
Sustainability remains a central issue—but the momentum has shifted. Companies are faced with a strategic question: is sustainability only pursued when it is mandated by regulation, or is it understood as an independent driver of competitiveness and resilience?
Emerging technologies
Technological developments—such as AI-supported systems, robotics and new digital care models—are fundamentally reshaping the role of medical technology. They are opening up new applications in diagnostics, therapy and production.
Industrial adjacencies
Medical technology is increasingly becoming an attractive field for adjacent industries—such as mechanical engineering, robotics, electronics and software development. However, those seeking to enter the market must understand its specific characteristics.
“Efficiency does not only mean saving resources or reducing costs. What matters is whether solutions make the healthcare system as a whole more effective.”
Dr-Ing. Michael Ott, Head of Technology Catalyst & Sustainability, Siemens Healthineers
Contributing experts
Experts have contributed to the creation of this industry report with their insights and experiences. Their assessments from industry, trade associations, networks and the corporate healthcare sector have been incorporated into the report:
- Stefanie Brauer
Innovationsnetzwerk Gesundheit, Projektmanagerin, Bayern Innovativ - Prof. Dr. med. Tobias Gantner
Geschäftsführer, HealthCare Futurists GmbH - Niklas Kuczaty
Geschäftsführer, VDMA HealthTech - Dr. Marc-Pierre Möll
Geschäftsführer BVMed - Dr.-Ing. Michael Ott
Head of Technology Catalyst & Sustainability, Siemens Healthineers - Stefanie Zenk
Expertin für Medizintechnik und digitale Gesundheitswirtschaft, Germany Trade & Invest
“Collaborations pool expertise, increase political visibility and enable economies of scale that individual market participants could hardly achieve on their own.”
Stefanie Brauer, Innovationsnetzwerk Gesundheit, Projektmanagerin, Bayern Innovativ
MedTech in transition – live at MedtecLIVE 2026
How will medical technology evolve in the coming years? What role will digitalisation, automation and artificial intelligence play? And how can sustainability be aligned with competitiveness?
MedtecLIVE 2026 provides the space to take these questions further, share experiences and initiate new collaborations. Those planning their next steps in medical technology will find insights, partners and practical starting points for implementation.
📍 Experience the topics live – explore the supporting programme
Secure your ticket now using the e-code "MTL26-Report-LP-DE" (registration required).