From visionary ideas to marketable medical devices
When 800 specialists from industry, research and healthcare assemble, that means it is Swiss Medtech Day – the most important industry event in Switzerland. It provides a showcase for innovation, platform for exchange, and is a driving force for future entrepreneurial strategies. The key question this year: How do we position medical technology for the challenges of tomorrow? The answer: With entrepreneurial vision and a common goal of developing effective solutions in healthcare.
Guest country The Netherlands: A systematic driver of innovation
In 2025, the Netherlands takes centre stage as the guest country and stimulus for new ideas. This nation is a pioneer when it comes to consistently integrating medical technology innovations into healthcare. «The Netherlands impressively demonstrates how research, clinics, and industry can work towards the same goals together,» says Swiss Medtech President Damian Müller. Also present today: Ambassador Karin Mössenlechner and Dr Sjaak Deckers, former CEO of robotics pioneer Microsure. The two speakers contribute important experience from a Dutch perspective. «Perhaps we are simply a little more creative and relaxed,» says Mössenlechner with a wink, «while Switzerland is highly precise when it comes to the technical realisation of ideas.» Deckers adds: «I moved my start-up from Switzerland to the Netherlands – where there are fewer hurdles, better support, and faster market access.»
In fact, the Netherlands promotes open test environments, rapid reimbursement channels, and the early involvement of all stakeholders. Precisely the conditions needed to ensure that medtech innovations do not stagnate in the lab, but arrive more quickly where they are needed. Speed, courage and a whole-system approach – the Netherlands is strong in these areas. «Switzerland has also shown strategic foresight by taking the decision to recognise FDA-approved medical devices; however, efficient implementation is still lacking. We now need clarity, trust in international standards – and at long last, the required quicker pace,», says Damian Müller.
QUMEA wins the Swiss Medtech Award 2025
This Solothurn-based company, founded in 2019, is being recognised for its digital mobility monitoring. Their 3D radar sensor continuously records movement patterns in the patient’s room. Artificial intelligence analyses this data in real time, recognises potential risks at an early stage, and alerts the nursing staff. QUMEA does not require any cameras or optical sensors – thereby fulfiling the highest standards of data protection.
CEO Cyrill Gyger recalls: «A physician friend told me about patients with delirium who were at risk of falling – and about the challenge of how to avoid invasive types of surveillance such as bedside attendants or cameras.» The idea of using radar technology precisely where it provides protection and support was born. Today, QUMEA is the European market leader and expanding internationally. Over 120 institutions in the DACH region and Scandinavia already use the system – from acute care hospitals and nursing homes to psychiatric wards and rehabilitation centres. The result: 74% fewer falls. «I have always been fascinated by the potential of radar technology,» says Gyger. «The fact that we can now use it to prevent suffering and contribute to greater safety, dignity, and quality of care in the healthcare sector is incredibly motivating.»
For Adrian Hunn, Director of Swiss Medtech, QUMEA is a prime example of a health service of tomorrow: «QUMEA shows what achievements AI can deliver within the healthcare sector: It prevents risk situations, supports care in day-to-day work, and reduces costs. Prevention is the smartest form of medical assistance. This is exactly the kind of change we need – away from simply reacting to events, towards proactive, data-based measures.»
About the Swiss Medtech Award and Swiss Medtech Day
konplan and Ypsomed are partners of Swiss Medtech Day. The main sponsors of Swiss Medtech Day are Arcondis, the Canton of Bern Economic Development Agency (Standortförderung Kanton Bern), and Helbling. The CHF 50,000 prize – sponsored by the Sonova Group and the Straumann Group – honours outstanding achievements in the Swiss medical technology industry. Under the chairmanship of Prof Mirko Meboldt, ETH Zurich, the jury evaluates the candidates according to the criteria of patient benefit, contribution to healthcare and entrepreneurial performance. The winning team is announced each year at Swiss Medtech Day.
Swiss Medtech represents around 800 members in its role as industry association for Swiss medical technology. With 71,700 employees and a contribution of 11.9% to the positive trade balance, medical technology is an economically significant sector in Switzerland. Swiss Medtech advocates for conditions that enable the medtech industry to perform at peak capacity and provide first-class medical care.