Summary

Medical Valley EMN (European Metropolitan Region of Nuremberg) is distinguished by its unrivaled concentration of medical technology companies, research centres and health industry institutions. Medical Valley EMN was founded on 1 January 2007 to optimise the networking of science, business and health care in a goal-oriented manner, thereby shortening the innovation cycle of new medical technology products. The organisation's membership is characterised by players from the fields of science, non-academic research, business, service providers/suppliers, health care, investment and politics.

Main activities

The Erlangen-Nuremberg Medical Valley provides a great diversity of facilities, allowing the various protagonists to develop innovative solutions in the field of minimally invasive surgery and personalised therapeutic care. Special emphasis is placed on the full range of imaging techniques, tailor-made implants for cardiovascular and osteopathic interventions, and ophthalmology. The spectrum of services provided by the Competence Network encompasses
- basic scientific research
- contract research and development
- manufacture of medical devices, hardware and software
- product-oriented development
- medical services
- engineering services
- maintenance services
- materials testing / advanced materials development
- education and training
- consulting, startup support
- project funding
The high concentration of research facilities in the region devoted to medical engineering and the close collaboration between members of the network, complemented by the systematic support provided by local government and professional organisations, have helped create an excellent infrastructure and a highly creative environment.

Technology focus

Medical Valley EMN is part of the medical technology field. Approximately 500 companies in Medical Valley EMN are active in this field, either directly or indirectly. 180 of them are dedicated medical technology companies. Siemens Healthcare, one of the world market leaders in medical technology, has its headquarters in the cluster. Over 50 research institutes, application centres and similar facilities devote themselves to field-specific or interdisciplinary medical technology issues. The provider activities addressed by business and science in the cluster encompass all relevant steps in medical care – prevention, diagnosis, therapy and rehabilitation.
Medical Valley EMN is one of the world leaders in the following medical technology product categories:

• imaging diagnostics (computerised tomography, magnetic resonance tomography, interventional imaging)
• therapy systems (ophthalmology, lithotripsy, Lasik)
• telemedicine (medical information systems, home care, remote rehabilitation, monitoring)
• high-tech implants (pacemakers, revision implants).

Highlights

Medical Valley EMN is the region in Germany where innovative medical technology is brought quickly from idea to product and where emphasis is placed on all steps in the innovation chain. Both of the important health care areas of activity – health management and medical technology – are well-represented and closely coordinated.
The intensive interaction between both processes in "clinical validation" leads to early feedback regarding insufficient ergonomics or practicality.