Swiss Medtech Ticino was founded exactly one year ago today. At that time, Ticino Chamber of Commerce assumed management of the Lugano office on behalf of Swiss Medtech, the national industry association. It has since then been supported by an Advisory Board made up of leading figures from the local medical technology industry. What has been achieved since then? This question was answered today in the presence of around sixty guests at Swiss Medtech Ticino’s one-year anniversary celebration.
In her opening speech, Cristina Maderni, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of the medical sector for the Ticino economy. Giuseppe Perale, President of Swiss Medtech Ticino, outlined what the Ticino branch has been working on over the past year, as well as the resulting achievements. The increase in members from thirteen to forty medtech companies in just one year is quite impressive and speaks for itself. «The rapid growth of Swiss Medtech Ticino shows me how dynamic the local medtech industry is and that it actively promotes and appreciates the ties to Swiss Medtech on a national level,» says the President. Swiss Medtech Ticino has also attracted attention by organizing five regional events focusing on medtech-specific topics. It should also be highlighted that Swiss Medtech Ticino is an initiator of the Competence Center for Life Sciences Research (CCLS). The CCLS was founded in Bellinzona in April as part of the «Swiss Innovation Park» initiative – of which the future Switzerland Innovation Park Ticino is an important component. Swiss Medtech Ticino is already working with several member companies, and in close cooperation with the Canton of Ticino, the City of Lugano, and the Università dell’Est (USI), to establish a competence center dedicated to medical technology.
«I would like to thank my highly valued colleagues on the Advisory Board, who have shown such commitment to the project. Special thanks go to Nicoletta Casanova, who represents us on the Board of the national association Swiss Medtech. I would also like to thank Michele Merazzi and his team at the Ticino Chamber of Commerce for their professional operational management of Swiss Medtech Ticino. I look very much forward to collaborating with you all on the next phase in the development of the Ticino business location,» said Giuseppe Perale.
Swiss Medtech represents more than 750 members in its role as industry association for Swiss medical technology. With 67,500 employees and a contribution of 11.5% 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.