MedTech Foundations: Essential Industry Knowledge

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to the medical technology industry. Students will explore the various segments that make up the MedTech sector, gaining an understanding of the diversity and scope of the field. The module covers FDA regulations and regulatory pathways that govern medical devices, helping students navigate the complex approval processes. It also identifies current opportunities for innovation within the industry and examines emerging trends that are shaping the future of medical technology. This foundational knowledge gives students the context needed to understand where their own innovations might fit within the broader MedTech landscape.

Skills you'll gain

This module focuses on assessing the commercial potential of medical technology innovations. Students will learn the criteria that make a technology commercially viable in the healthcare market and explore the key pillars necessary for success in bringing a medical device to market. The module addresses the critical stakeholder questions: "Who Cares, Who Pays, Who Uses?" to help students identify their target markets and understand the economic dynamics of healthcare innovation. Additionally, students will analyze potential barriers to adoption that could impede market acceptance and barriers to entry that might challenge new competitors in the space. Case studies provide real-world examples of these principles in action.

Skills you'll gain

This module introduces students to the critical realm of intellectual property in medical technology innovation. Students will learn how and when to protect their ideas, understanding the strategic timing of IP protection in the development process. The module guides students through navigating tech transfer offices within academic institutions and organizations, which is essential for innovations emerging from research settings. It covers patent law basics and explains the patent process in detail, including patent timetables and timelines. This knowledge empowers students to develop defensible innovations and protect their intellectual assets as they move from concept to commercialization.

Skills you'll gain