Medical science needs more support, organisations say

Europe’s future research programmes must incentivise the risky process of medical technology development, organisations working in the field have said.

In a position paper published on 23 January, the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations called for stronger support for medical technology R&D. An Earto working group of 40 medical technologists said that areas in particular need of support include funding, regional integration, data handling and shared infrastructure.

The road to market is “long and risky” for many technologies, the authors said, particularly when bridging the gap between laboratory validation and real-world demonstration of a prototype device. Research and technology organisations should be incentivised to work with patients and doctors early in the process and to develop regulatory expertise.