From Editor's Desk

Importance of Physician Contribution to the Development Of Medical Devices

Medical professionals - inspired by their passion to help people - have some of the most insightful new product ideas. They can supervise all phases of product development including concept definition, prototyping, design, clinical trials, regulatory compliance, patent development as well as technology licensing. Coupled with development process in association with professionals from Industry and Engineers, they can ignite a creative force that has the power to shape the world of medical technology.

In biomedical research leading to IP and thus entrepreneurship, clinicians/ scientists play a key role for success as they possess deep and meaningful involvement throughout the innovation cycle. Their role is vital not only in the identification of unmet needs but also to position and support the innovation during various stages of its development.

Mr. D.L. Pandya

Editor

Many relationships between physicians and industry have led to life-saving innovations, such as steerable cardiac catheters and certain artificial heart valves. Physician innovators also developed the first reliable pacemakers in the 1950s and 1960s, with medical device makers later introducing additional refinements.

As per Prof. Balram Bharagava, Secretary, DHR and Director General, ICMR , “ With 605 Medical Colleges/Institutes and nearly 1 lakh doctors graduating annually in the
country, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) as the apex medical research institution realized that there is a need to strongly promote healthcare innovation and
entrepreneurship at Medical, Dental, Para-Medical Institutes/Colleges and allied Biomedical Research and Academic Institutions by creating a sustainable innovation ecosystem in the country as the healthcare innovations and entrepreneurship is making forays in the Indian economy".

With this background, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR ) and Department of Health Research (DHR), has brought out National Policy Guidelines on Biomedical Innovation and Entrepreneurship , the highlights of which is covered in this issue of magazine.

One other important component of the modern healthcare system is wide range of medical polymers. In a very basic but elaborate article by Mr Kishore Khanna (Managing Director, Romsons Group & Jt. Forum Coordinator, AiMeD ) has highlighted important innovations and developments in medical polymers, their applications and processing.

In an another analytical article by Mr Navneethkrishnan, Asst. Director, GLR Laboratories Pvt Ltd, describes the importance of biocompatibility of medical polymers , related regulatory requirements as well as how lack of biocompatibility of a device can result in a variety of biological and non-biological problems.

We are happy to introduce one more leading industry professional, Mr Amit Dave as a part of our Editorial Advisory Board. Mr Amit Dave with his background in Pharmacy and Management as well as life time of experience in export marketing will share his long and rich experience, knowledge and vision on Global Markets through a regular column in the magazine.

This issue includes our regular columns: Global Trends, Aimed, Regulatory & Industry News, “Did You Know? “ and more...

D.L. Pandya