News

Innovative molecular biological methods, Covid-19, the latest developments at universities and in the industry – these core themes determine the four-day programme dedicated to the diagnostic field of laboratory medicine. In times of the pandemic, laboratory medical disciplines are the talk of the town. The latest scientific findings in the fields of virology, infectiology, immunology, microbiology and biotechnology will be presented as part of MEDICA, the world’s leading medical trade fair which will take place in Düsseldorf from 15 to 18 November 2021. Here, the MEDICAL LABMED FORUM will offer medical professionals, health care providers and industry representatives a range of highly topical talks by specialists from around the globe in Hall 1. In keeping with MEDICA’s hybrid event concept, visitors with a corresponding ticket can either follow the forum’s programme live at the trade fair or via a digital live stream on the MEDICA.de industry portal. The forum will be held in English.

On day one, top-class speakers will hold short presentations and take part in interactive panel discussions that revolve around microbiology and metagenomics – with a particular focus on Covid-19. On the second day, cardiology and oncology take centre stage, while the third and fourth days of the event take a closer look at the latest developments in the university field and industry. “On the whole, there are three keywords that sum up this year’s LABMED FORUM,” explains Prof. Dr Georg Hoffmann of Trillium, specialists for medical publications, who organises the event series in cooperation with the German Heart Centre Munich. “The first is genomics, in other words, the latest molecular biological methods that look at a genome in its entirety. Secondly, we will be focussing on aspects and vaccinations related to Covid-19, and thirdly we will be taking a closer look at research and innovative projects at universities and in the industry.”

Day 1: Metagenomes and metabolomics

The forum’s programme kicks off on 15 November (from 10:30 a.m.) with the themes metagenomes and metabolomics, chaired by Prof. Dr. med. Beniam Ghebremedhin (Witten/Herdecke University, HELIOS Wuppertal University Clinic). This day focuses on microbiology and infectiology in relation to Covid-19.

Metagenomics and metabolomics are the two fastest progressing “omics” technologies (Note.: This is the umbrella term for molecular biological methods) and cover each end of the omics’ cascade. Metagenomics identifies the genetic potential of a community, while metabolomics deals with the actual biology that results in a phenotype. This research provides new insights into the etiology of diseases of the digestive tract and the metabolism, and now of Covid-19 as well. 

Around five percent of all Covid-19 patients develop a severe to critical illness; in addition, 50 percent of deceased patients with severe Covid-19 exhibit a secondary bacterial infection. Antibiotics clearly play an influential role in the success of treatment. In his talk on “Metagenomics in Covid-19 and co-infection”, Prof. André Gessner of the University Hospital Regensburg explains the results of current studies that examined the role microbiomes play in the development of Covid-19.

A Covid-19 diagnosis is usually based on the detection of viral nucleic acid sequences. Even though the characteristics of the host reaction are not measured, they still play a decisive role in determining the result. While metabolic profiles are well suited to determine the host’s condition, most metabolomic studies are either: too weak; only measure a limited subset of metabolites; compare infected persons with control cohorts that are not infected and not suitable as the cohort demographics differ from each other too greatly; or do not provide a compact prognostic model. Two further morning sessions supplement one another, namely the talks held by Prof. Dr Jianguo Xia, McGill University in Montreal, and Dr Ivayla Roberts, University of Liverpool. Both focus on a powerful metabolomics screening method used on Covid-19 patients, which enables a prognosis on the severity of the infection and the further progression of the disease.

The keynote held by Dr Vautz, ION-GAS, Dortmund , focuses on metabolic processes, which include many volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These volatile metabolites are released in our airways when we breath and can therefore easily be collected for analysis. Prof. Dr Steven L. Zeichner, University of Virginia, United States,  presents the latest findings on hyper-inflammatory processes in children; a small number of these young patients suffer from Covid-19. In the afternoon, Dr Sebastian Ulbert, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Leipzig, takes a closer look at monitoring protective humoral immune responses. This production of antibodies is essential when assessing the risk of new infections.

Day 2: Cardiology and oncology

The second day of the event, 16 November (from 10:30 a.m.), is chaired by Prof. Dr med. Stefan Holdenrieder of the German Heart Centre Munich and is dedicated to cardiology and oncology. Prof. Dr Simon, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, and Prof. Dr Billy Sperlich, University of Würzburg, talk about cardiac performance diagnostics in athletes and Covid-19, a highly topical theme with regard to the pandemic and with a view to the progression of long Covid. The keynotes of Prof. Dr Wolfgang König, German Heart Centre Munich, and Prof. Dr Ralph Burkhardt, University Hospital Regensburg, focus on new biomarkers in the risk stratification and diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.

In the afternoon, the second oncological focal topic takes a closer look at new developments in the field of liquid biopsies. Prof. Ellen Heitzer, University Hospital Graz, and Dr Verena Haselmann, University Hospital Mannheim, talk about the current state of research and its implementation into the routine diagnosis of circulating nucleic acids in the blood of tumour patients. The speakers explain the current state of technical developments, their suitability for routine use, the implementation into guidelines and quality assurance as well as the reimbursement of costs by health insurance companies.

In his talk, expert Prof. Dr Michel van den Heuvel, Radboud University Nijmegen, focuses on monitoring immune therapies through conventional protein and molecular markers. Besides targeted therapies, immune therapies are the greatest innovation in oncological therapy of the last years. This form of therapy requires the careful selection of patients who can be expected to respond to it as well as attentive monitoring in order to modify and steer this costly therapy in good time should patients prove non-responsive. Prof. Dr Michael Pfaffl, Technical University of Munich, talks about new diagnostic possibilities that have opened up thanks to exosome markers.

Day 3: Young talents present projects for the future

As in any other discipline, young talents and junior scientists determine the future of their fields; they contribute new ideas, are inquisitive and emphasise innovative focal points outside traditional boundaries. Laboratory medicine is surely the most diverse medical discipline in terms of diagnoses; at the same time, this field is also characterised by its professional diversity when it comes to its junior staff. In the first session on the third day of the event, young and more established junior scientists alike present their scientific findings with a focus on the role of cellular immunity in SARS-CoV-2  infections as well as the meaning of exosomes in cardiomyopathy. One talk takes a look at South America, explaining the significance and perspectives of laboratory medicine in Bolivia, while another expert talk focuses on how the analysis of all circulating nucleic acids can supplement traditional liquid profiling and expand the diagnostic possibilities in oncology.

The second session of the day is dedicated to integrative diagnostics that are controlled by artificial intelligence. Expectations are high that in future, these will allow a huge leap forwards in terms of more precise and cost-effective diagnostics, compared to the current standard evaluations. These expectations go hand in glove with hopes for improvements in the quality of life and/or life expectancies of affected patients. Young talents from a range of disciplines that include laboratory medicine, radiology, computational biology and computer science discuss the value and potential challenges of this new diagnostic approach. 

Day 4: Innovations from academic and industrial research

The last day of the event focuses on current trends in academic and industrial research. The pandemic has driven research into and the search for new diagnostic solutions with a high sensitivity that lead to speedy results, require minimal use of equipment and are ideally able to measure several biomarkers, known as multiplexing. Here, electrochemical detection systems are increasingly taking centre stage in the form of biosensors. In the morning, Dr Firat Güder, Imperial College London, will present a miniaturised, electrochemical qPCR. Known as TriSilix, this lab-on-a-chip is cost-effective in production and could replace traditional qPCR systems in future.

In her talk, Dr Despina Moschou, University of Bath, takes a closer look at recognising sepsis at an early stage. This requires the precise quantification of a range of biomarkers, ideally without the use of electrochemical sensors, as these bear a risk of biological contamination. To achieve this, the planar gold electrodes on a lab-on-PCB micro system were given a new, nanocomposite coating composed of cross-linked bovine serum albumin containing a network of reduced graphene oxide nanoparticles.

In his talk, Dr Gerhard Kahr, Genius5-instruments , focuses on a distorted sense of smell as a primary symptom of Covid-19 in children. 90 percent of children in whom a distorted sense of smell has been detected have Covid-19. Systematically testing the sense of smell will help recognise this distortion at an earlier stage, which will in turn help identify patients who have been infected yet do not exhibit symptoms of the disease. As these are non-contact tests, they are usually accepted by children without any difficulties.

Dr Martin Raasch, Dynamic42 , Jena, presents a research platform for the future. As a 3D in vitro model of a human lung, this microphysiological system has integrated immune cells and helps research Covid-19 and other infectious diseases of the lung.

For more information about the the MEDICA LABMED FORUM programme, please visit: https://www.medica-tradefair.com/forums.    

Link to this press information: https://www.medica-tradefair.com/pm06e_labmed

Author: Gabriele Brähler, Healthcare Journalist (Berlin)

Photo: At MEDICA LABMED FORUM, top-class speakers present the latest research results in laboratory medicine (c: Constanze Tillmann).

After COMPAMED, the international leading event for suppliers of medical technology, could only be held digitally due to the pandemic last year, it will now be held in-person again at Messe Düsseldorf from 15 to 18 November, at its fixed runtime in parallel with the world leading medical trade fair MEDICA. Almost 500 registrations from exhibitors prove that there is a high level of interest from medical technology suppliers, which is a huge step towards reaching normality again. In accordance with the hybrid event concept, significant programme components such as the COMPAMED HIGH-TECH FORUM from the IVAM International Microtechnology Business Network which specifically focuses on the microtechnology and nanotechnology sectors and the COMPAMED SUPPLIERS’ FORUM from Devicemed, which covers the entire development and production sector in medical technology, will be offered as both online (as a live stream) and in-person events which can be accessed by purchasing the relevant ticket. In contrast to the previous years, COMPAMED will be held in Halls 13 and 14 this year (instead of Halls 8a and 8b). By moving the event to new halls, Messe Düsseldorf is meeting the wishes of the federal state government of North Rhine-Westphalia, namely to ensure that they can continue to use the north area of the trade fair centre for activities in conjunction with the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

Both the omnipresent COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences will provide much food for thought: “Due to the impact of the corona crisis, supply bottlenecks have occurred: flight and seaborne transportation cancellations have led to huge supply bottlenecks, particularly for electronic products. During the crisis, this was exacerbated by unnecessary stockpiling. Companies bought and stored more components than they needed to ensure that they were safe because they were scared of experiencing a shortfall in supply”, explains Dr. Thomas R. Dietrich, CEO of the IVAM International Microtechnology Business Network. Raw materials and individual components were also scarce, because the industry recovered more quickly than many suppliers expected it to. However, this will return to normal within a short period of time.

Computer chips were in short supply during the crisis because medical technology suppliers in particular suddenly needed far more of them. Dr. Meinrad Lugan, CEO of BVMed, recently put the situation into perspective: In many sectors, the issue was not shortages in terms of quantity, but instead distribution issues. Lugan notes that there was a “trend to make huge excess orders or multiple orders”. The resulting supply bottlenecks should be combated using “smart digital solutions based on existing eStandards”. According to IVAM, internationalisation of the economy would still be expedient, as the global supply chains could not be maintained, which is the opposite of constructive. European manufacturers need the option to carry out production at a lower cost in other countries in order to remain competitive. These producing countries, in turn, need European customers in order to keep their own economies running. According to IVAM, there should, however, still be local supply chains for critical components – particularly for sensitive products that are important for basic care of the entire population, e.g. in the healthcare sector.

One topic continues to cause a huge stir...

Another topic also triggered huge upheaval in the industry: On 26 May 2021, the new European Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and the equally new Regulation on In-Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices (IVDR) came into force. As the long-read overview article on this subject in the Devicemed trade magazine states, the companies are prepared to take this on but are also clearly under pressure. According to a survey from the software company Climedo Health, 81% of the 115 companies surveyed from across Europe still find the MDR very challenging. The biggest hurdles are presented by an increase in the resources and costs needed, a lack of clarity and the requisite clinical testing. 31% estimate that the MDR will cause additional costs of 5 to 10% of their annual turnover to be levied, and 13% believe that these costs will amount to over 10% of their turnover. The companies’ dissatisfaction with the powers that be in Brussels is also mounting in other aspects: 75% wish for clearer specifications from the EU Commission, 50% want more specialist support and 30% want training or information events. “The survey results show that the EU MDR continues to be very challenging, expensive and time-consuming for companies”, states Veronika Schweighart, COO at Climedo Health. The IVDR also increases effort and costs for companies. Along with new products, all approved products which are already available on the market need to undergo recertification in accordance with the regulation. In addition to this, the notified bodies must be put through a new notification procedure, which has not yet been finalised. Furthermore, the IVDR encompasses a greater scope of application than the previous directive and, in many areas, brings in more stringent and also new requirements for companies and monitoring bodies. This will result in much matter for discussion within the scope of COMPAMED 2021.

The Medical Device Regulation: as tough as cold fusion?

The COMPAMED SUPPLIERS’ FORUM (in Hall 14) also picks up on this topic in its series of talks. “Often, when dealing with the MDR or the IVDR, one has the impression that we’re working on cold fusion or rocket science. The basics for all of the points stated above are lacking. I cannot yet say which of the three topics will be resolved first, but we can all be better informed on the MDR and IVDR, at the least. There were many difficult aspects, but there are themes that are resolved well – complicated guidance, which is a contradiction in itself, and clever solutions”, summarises Stefan Bolleininger, CEO of the consulting firm be-on-quality. His talk (on 17 November) delineates concrete examples from his consulting practice and options for solving various problem scenarios. This concerns, for example, the handling of non-harmonized standards or what is considered to be state of the art.

Current developments throughout the entire process chain 

The COMPAMED SUPPLIERS’ FORUM has even more to proffer in terms of content. Current developments throughout the entire process chain will be presented in a hands-on manner: mechanical and electronic components have their moment in the spotlight in the expert talks, along with innovative basic materials, manufacturing processes, all types of contract manufacturing, design and usability aspects and quality assurance. Keynote speeches on new markets complete this diverse programme. Further focal themes include the additive manufacturing, electronic and regulatory affairs sectors.

Thus, Dr. Benedikt Janny, who is the Managing Director of USE-Ing. and Head of the User Research and Usability Engineering Division there, reports on human-centred development of medical technology products, better known as usability engineering: This is not only a regulatory obligation for medical device approval, but also offers medical device manufacturers the opportunity to differentiate themselves on the market by taking relevant user wishes into account early on in the product development process and implementing them in the innovations. The keynote speech (on 15 November) explores which regulatory requirements are applicable for usability engineering and the opportunities that exist to establish human-centred development processes and to create actual added value for the product user by increasing usability within the scope of user-centred innovations. The usability engineering process is closely linked with quality management and the requirements engineering process. In addition, Dr. Janny, as an expert, will indicate which types of use-based risks exist and are to be analysed within the course of the product development process. In addition, the question of which prototypes companies can generate without great cost and effort in order to validate their medical products early on with real users is also explored.

Additive manufacturing for custom implants for patients

Additive manufacturing and robotics remain exciting themes in medical technology. Toolcraft AG sees itself as a pioneer of future-oriented technology such as additive manufacturing and in the construction of individual robot cells. As a partner for complete solutions, the company offers the entire process chain, from the concept to manufacturing to qualified precision components using additive manufacturing, machining and injection moulding, electrical discharge machining and mould making. Within the scope of robotics, customised, fully programmed integrated solutions are implemented. Daniel Distler and Patrick Meyer (Head of the Robotics Division and Head of Technical Sales and Distribution at Toolcraft) put their knowledge from over 30 years of experience in the industry to good use in their talk (on 15 November) at the COMPAMED SUPPLIERS’ FORUM and detail the advantages of additive manufacturing using a wide variety of appliecation cases for medical technology. For example, Toolcraft AG uses additive manufacturing to make custom implants for individual patients. Furthermore, this mid-sized company has developed an automated complete solution for manufacturing and packaging a cerumen filter for hearing aids (which protects against contamination with ear wax and moisture).

Holger Frank, CEO of Mechatronic, has selected the theme “The potential of the IoT in medical technology – using the example of the AED” for his forum speech (which is also on 15 November). An AED is an automated external defibrillator, a portable medical device that can also be used by people without medical training. “In terms of the future development of important IT technology, 80% of all those surveyed assume that the Internet of Things will play an important role, according to a study by PwC”, explains Frank. Mechatronic delivers important devices for IoT developments in the medical field which enable communication between the device and the cloud. In essence, two solutions are possible: the device and communication are either integrated into one system or into separate units. An important factor for all versions is the question of which radiocommunication standard they need to be certified with. These vary throughout Europe and the USA and also differ based on the country one is based in. Large countries such as China, Russia and Canada also have their own standards. Mechatronic emphatically pleads the case for AEDs that execute an automatic test every day and has developed the relevant hardware to enable the test state to be monitored via a cloud solution. The background for this is that around 30% of the devices which are available in public space do not work because the maintenance and servicing have not been carried out correctly.  

The many highlights of IVAM in Hall 13

The IVAM International Microtechnology Business Network is once more one of the cooperation partners for and biggest exhibitors at COMPAMED. This year, 42 companies and institutes from nine nations are present on the joint stand (in Hall 13), with many hailing from Europe. The technology being represented includes diverse microcomponents (microelectronics, optronics, microoptics, microfluidics), sensors, actuators and sensor systems, micropumps, coatings, smart textiles and manufacturing and processing procedures, along with services. The COMPAMED HIGH-TECH FORUM (also in Hall 13) offers international presentations in accompaniment to the trade fair on each day of its four-day run and will present a wide range of themes in 2021 too. These include, in particular, printed electronics and highly integrated diagnostics for the next generation, “Equipment manufacturer meets component manufacturer”, laser and photonic applications, smart sensor solutions and microfluidic options to resolve challenges in point of care diagnostics and the life sciences. 

Measuring blood pressure with an optical sensor

Highlights on the IVAM stand include new sensory developments. Conditions involving the cardiovascular system are among those which are most frequently cited as a cause of death in the industrialised nations. An important indicator for this is high blood pressure, which is currently still diagnosed and monitored by regularly taking blood pressure mechanically using an upper arm cuff. This method is uncomfortable and limits the patient in their daily activities, and, in comparison to other methods, only delivers a few selective measured values. An optical sensor can provide help here. This sensor, which works using the basic principle of photoplethysmography (PPG), records the fill level of the blood vessels in the skin over time. Using the contour curve (pulse waves) recorded in this manner, a patented procedure is used to identify relevant points in time to determine the cycle of the pressure wave in the aorta, which enables conclusions to be drawn on changes in central blood pressure. In addition to offering an alternative to classic cuff measurement, the process also gives a blood pressure result for each individual heartbeat. With this analysis of short-term and mid-term fluctuations, doctors expect to achieve a novel diagnostic approach for early detection of a variety of conditions in multiple different patient groups (e.g. pre-eclempsia). The sensor developed at the CiS Forschungsinstitut für Mikrosensorik (CiS Research Institute for Microsensors) can be worn in the ear, which, in addition to numerous physiological advantages for signal quality and signal stability, means that it is comfortable to wear throughout the day. In addition to blood pressure, it can record many other vital signs such as heart rate, heart rate variability and blood oxygen levels.

Within the scope of the COMPAMED HIGH-TECH FORUM, Dr. Martin Schädel, Head of the MOEMS Division at the CiS Forschungsinstitut für Mikrosensorik, will give a lecture on this development 

High-tech communication between the body and modern IT

With its next-generation electrode design, CorTec creates new pathways for communication between the body’s own electric signals and modern information technology. This young medical technology company specialises in developing efficient technology for active implants for recording over long periods of time and stimulation of neuronal activity. The technology comprises customised components such as electrodes for derivation and stimulation within the central and peripheral nervous systems. Its patented AirRay electrode technology has enabled CorTec to overcome the current limitations when working with electrodes with mechanical properties that can be adapted flexibly and highly precise manufacturing conditions. The manufacturing process, using ultrashort pulse lasers, makes the technology highly reproducible even at very small dimensions of as little as 25 μm, and with a high density of electrical contacts. The flexibility of the technology enables a wide variety of product properties, such as thickness, the number of contacts, contact spacing and contact shape, and the total size of the electrode, to be modified.

The components can, for example, help localise the epileptogenic focus that needs to be removed using surgery in patients with certain types of epilepsy . CorTec’s aim is to be a leading partner in developing innovative therapies. In particular, the design flexibility of the AirRay electrode technology makes it into an important building block for the approach of communicating with the human nervous system and connecting it with artificial intelligence. This special electrode technology is, like the ceramics-based hermetic encapsulated casing, part of the CorTec Brain Interchange, a technology platform for innovative neurotherapy in a variety of fields of application such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease or bioelectronic medicine.
 
A world first for stoma care

Optima Life Science and Optima Automation will present a world first when they participate in COMPAMED 2021 together – the first continuous manufacturing machine for stoma flanges. These are used as care products for artificial openings used to divert waste from the intestines (stoma). Thus, Optima Life Sciences now also offers an appropriate machine solution for stoma producers. The main advantage is that it brings two separate converting processes together in one line. Process stations that could previously only be operated in cycles were developed for this line.

Innovative microtechnology that serves the pharmaceutical industry

Another example of high-tech that conclusively demonstrates the expertise of the COMPAMED exhibitors are the micro annular gear pumps from the manufacturer HNP Mikrosysteme. Microencapsulation is also growing in significance in the pharmaceutical industry. Precise dosing techniques which can dose miniscule quantities are a prerequisite for manufacturing and processing APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients). Manufacturing these APIs is demanding as these substances, which can be anywhere on a scale from watery to oily, need to be handled very delicately. Microencapsulation is the perfect procedure to protect these active substances from premature release and thus preserve their biological activity. The capsules are made of polymers or inorganic material. Depending on the permeability and degradability of the capsules, the active ingredients are released at a gradual rate. A continuous release makes therapy with medication easier to tolerate and simpler to handle. The delivery rates of the quantities range from a few microlitres per minute to 140 ml/min. The precision of the delivery rate is crucial for the quality of the capsules; the tolerance for this is only plus/minus one percent. Micro annular gear pumps from HNP Mikrosysteme are used for this challenging task. The pumps can be heated or can be fitted with an additional reduction gear for the smallest quantities.

All information on COMPAMED 2021 regarding the companies taking part and their products, integrated forum programs and more is available online at: https://www.compamed-tradefair.com.

Dates for COMPAMED 2021 + MEDICA 2021: 15. - 18 November

Opening times: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Author: Klaus Jopp, freelance technical writer for science and technology (Hamburg)

The world-leading medical trade fair MEDICA will launch its in-person event again at the Düsseldorf Trade Fair Centre this year, along with the accompanying MEDICA MEDICINE + SPORTS CONFERENCE. It has been part of the MEDICA program highlights for nine years and will bring together internationally renowned sports doctors, sports scientists, visionaries, physiotherapists, sports tech bods and experts for an interdisciplinary dialogue on innovative approaches in prevention, regeneration and rehabilitation in elite sport and sport for maintaining health. This will be held from 17 to 18 November (MEDICA 2021 will run from 15 to 18 November). This English-speaking conference is accredited as a category A continuous training event by the North Rhine Medical Association and will take place in the Düsseldorf Congress Center (CCD Süd). The top themes this year include returning to sport after a SARS-CoV-2 infection, tailored training programs for active ageing and digital innovations for sports medicine. In line with the hybrid event concept for MEDICA, visitors can participate in the conference using either an in-person ticket or a digital ticket, which allows them to call up the live stream.

On Wednesday 17 November, the session on the topic “Returning to Sports” after having corona will kick off the conference, with the focus being on long COVID. Lena Mikulic is affected by long COVID. She won second place in karate in the German U21 league and had even had a television documentary made about her. After falling ill with corona in November 2020, and feeling that she had only had a mild case, she realised that she could no longer train like she used to. When Prof. Jürgen Steinacker examined her in Ulm in March 2021, she was diagnosed with long COVID, including myocarditis and pericardial effusion. Mikulic and Steinacker will give talks at the MEDICA MEDICINE SPORTS and might even be made up, is evidently incorrect. Professor Steinacker makes this clear in his talk. Elite athletes are used to paying a lot of attention to their bodies, and Steinacker states: “We’re not talking about a 5% drop in performance, we’re talking about 30% to 50%”. A 32-year-old’s oxygen uptake, for example, might drop to the amount expected for a 50-year-old. SARS-CoV-2 is not the only illness to result in this. Steinacker has also observed fatigue following other viral infections, although this is mostly dependent on the genetics of the relevant person and is therefore less frequent. SARS-CoV-2, however, is capable of infecting swathes of the population and damaging their health. Experts now assume that 10 to 20% of those infected will go on to have long COVID. 

Long COVID has the traits of an autoimmune disease

Steinacker highlights the fact that long COVID has the traits of an autoimmune disease: the immune system attempts to fight the virus, but ultimately starts attacking the body’s own cells. In addition, the virus has also been observed to continue for longer periods in some patients. A potential cause for this severe course of the disease, which occurs in some, could be that a typical virus protein, the spike protein, is very allergenic and causes the macrophages of the immune system, among other elements, to go into hyperactivity, thus interfering with function. The result is that not only the heart but also the muscles and the nervous system are damaged. However, the lungs are no longer as heavily affected in long COVID, unlike in the acute disease.

There is still no standard therapy

Treatment is complex. “There is no standard therapy”, continues Jürgen Steinacker, who believes that a multimodal approach is required. Therapy must limit the infection, should be anti-virally effective and comprises the implementation of immunomodulators such as vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, along with plant-based supplements such as phytosterols. Neurological complications also need to be treated. Pseudoallergies, food intolerances and stomach ache can occur: “Sometimes, an individual’s medication plan might fill a whole page”, surmises Steinacker. The University Clinic of Ulm is participating in the multicentric cohort study CoSmo-S which seeks to specify recommendations on how to start doing sport again following recovery from a SARS-CoV-2 infection. In Ulm alone, over 180 study participants were included, and across Germany the figure has already risen to 1,500 to 1,800. This figure alone demonstrates how much this challenge is growing. In Baden-Württemberg, the big EPILOC study has been started, led by Prof. Wienfried Kern from Freiburg with participation from Tübingen, Heidelberg and Ulm. The study encompasses 50,000 post-infection patients who are surveyed to record the frequency and severity of long COVID in more detail.

“Every elite athlete must be vaccinated”

All in all, one thing is clear for Prof. Jürgen Steinacker: “every elite athlete must be vaccinated”! This applies for indoor and contact sports, such as fencing or boxing, in particular. Steinacker illustrates the wide-reaching extent that the personal consequences that may be wrought by COVID-19 can attain using examples: “I am taking care of professional football players who are currently having trouble simply going for a walk, and this is weeks after the SARS-CoV-2 infection has run its course”. Athletes are not the only people to experience a severe deterioration in performance following COVID-19: “if an older person suddenly has trouble getting up the stairs, then this is often seen as a normal part of ageing”. However, it can also be a sign of long COVID and have fatal consequences for the quality of life of the individual.

Prof. Claus Reinsberger, Paderborn, will speak on the neurological manifestations such as the COVID-19 “brain fog” in Düsseldorf. Brain fog encompasses symptoms such as memory issues, poor concentration and confusion. New findings on subjects from lung disease to red blood cells will be explained by Prof. Wilhelm Bloch from the German Sport University of Cologne.

The Olympics during a pandemic, and after

COVID-19 has not only led to issues for numerous athletes as individuals, it has also influenced this year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo. As the leading Olympic Doctor for the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and President of the German Association for Sports Medicine and Prevention (DGSP), Prof. Bernd Wolfarth will discuss elite sport during a pandemic at the sports medicine conference in Düsseldorf. In Session 2, he reports on the conclusions that can be drawn from the Tokyo Olympics and how they will impact the preparations for the Olympic Winter Games which will be held from 4 to 20 February 2022 in Peking.

Under the overarching theme “Future Concepts in Sport Medicine", Prof. Wolfarth, Prof. Yannis Pitsiladis, Dr. Lutz Graumann and other speakers will look back at Tokyo and will also look to the future to predict what elite sport will look like in 2050 and will dare to explore visionary elite sports projects, from team sports such as ice hockey and football to the physical performance medicine of the future. Pitsiladis is a member of the IOC Medical and Scientific Commission and coined the term “technology doping” this year. Dr. Lutz Graumann is President of the International Association of Performance Medicine and Medical Coordinator for the German Ice Hockey Association. He is thus an expert when it comes to the future of ice hockey. In the subsequent Guided Innovation Tour session, innovative products with a high level of relevance for sports medicine will be presented in an expedition through the MEDICA 2021 halls.

Tailored training programs for active ageing

On Thursday 18 November, the MEDICA MEDICINE SPORTS CONFERENCE will primarily base its events around tailoring training and movement programs. The “Fit for life – tailored exercise programs for active ageing and the elderly” session focuses on tailored training programs for active ageing and older people. Prof. Bettina Wollesen, Vice-President of the German Society of Sport Science, will present training interventions which boost cognitive performance. Under her leadership, the PROCARE prevention program for care facilities has been implemented. This is oriented towards carers and those receiving care. Within the scope of a needs analysis for the project, it became clear: care home residents who were believed to be cognitively fit without any diagnosis of a psychological illness were not able to find their way through the care home independently and did not know how to get back to their room from the place that the examination was carried out. Development and intervention strategies that take barriers into account and tailor measures to the specific needs of older adults could break down the barriers to physical activity. Dr. Timo Hinrichs from the University of Basel will tell the audience how this can be achieved.

Simple short programs which can become part of any daily routin 

The exercises that are particularly important for healthy ageing will be explained by the orthopaedists and sports doctors Dr. Christian Schneider and Dr. Thore Haag. They are known as the fitness docs, and show how everyone can combat the ageing process and stay mentally and physically fit by ensuring that a minimum of movement is undertaken. Exercises for mobility, strength and stability support basic fitness and prevent complaints. The simple short programs enable the training to be integrated into a daily routine effortlessly. Private lecturer Dr. Thomas Sanjay Weber-Spickschen will show the typical issues that occur in old age and how therapy can be provided for these, or how training to combat them should look.

Innovation in sports medicine diagnostics

In session 5 on evidence-based diagnostics, new methods and findings will be presented – from cardiac MRIs to non-invasive measurement of vital signs and performance parameters such as lactates and blood glucose, to wearable technology. In session 6, the focus is on performance, regeneration and recovery in elite sport. Prof. Alexander Ferrauti will show results and recommendations for action for daily fine adjustment of monitoring, training control and regeneration management in competitive tennis. Prof. Michael Kellmann is also involved in the long-term German Federal Institute for Sports Science (BISp) project “Management of Regeneration in Elite Sports” and will present instruments for psychological assessment of the recovery-stress state.

In the concluding session 7 on 18 November, digital innovations from the smartwatch-based running app for runners, to LED patches for regeneration, to rehabilitation solutions for the tennis sector and new solutions to measure core stability will be presented.

All information and program notes on the 9th MEDICA MEDICINE + SPORTS CONFERENCE are available at: https://www.medica-tradefair.com/mmsc2.

Author: Dr. Lutz Retzlaff, freelance medical journalist (Neuss)

The MEDICA HEALTH IT FORUM is one of the classics in the world-leading trade fair MEDICA’s programme. It started life under the label “MEDICA Informatica” at the beginning of the 90s, as a special show for software for doctors’ practices, and has now become an international meeting point for trendsetters that gives an overarching insight into the future of digitalised medicine. This year’s programme for the English-speaking forum proves this once more. When MEDICA 2021 is held in Düsseldorf (from 15 to 18 November), it will focus on topics such as “Virtual Care & Digital Therapeutics” or “Medical Artificial Intelligence & Robotics” and “Fields of Innovation", and even reaching as far as “Societal Aspects of Digitalized Healthcare”. New this year: In line with the hybrid event concept for MEDICA, the expert panels, tech talks and deep dive sessions can be followed either live on-site (at the forum stage in Hall 12) or live streamed via the industry portal, MEDICA.de, with the appropriate ticket. Anyone who comes to the trade fair in Düsseldorf will also find exhibits on projects from universities and research institutes oriented around the themes in the adjacent exhibition areas.

A significant trend in healthcare IT is influencing user behaviour. This is reflected in the motto of the development team for the MIKA app: “You can do more than just be treated. You can act and decide for yourself”. As the first digital healthcare app (DiGA) for cancer patients, the MIKA app has been adopted into the directory of the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). Dr. Jan Simon Raue, Founder & MD of MIKA, will be one of the first to give a talk at the MEDICA HEALTH IT FORUM on Monday 15 November. Promoting good mental health is one of the objectives. For example, users’ powers of resilience are trained in themed journeys, or aid is given on how to cope with feelings such as fear and loss of control.

Based on findings from behavioural therapy and neuroscience, the digital healthcare company aidhere develops healthcare apps such as zanadio. This is the first app that doctors can prescribe to treat patients that are very overweight, with a BMI of 30 to 40. zanadio is based on effective principles for established conservative obesity therapy and implements these digitally. Based on the data entered, it gives patients personalised recommendations. Dr. Nora Mehl, Co-Founder & Managing Director of aidhere GmbH, will explain this.

Digital drugs: When software stimuli trigger physical reactions

Digital drugs are used to trigger a direct physiological reaction using software-generated medical stimuli alone. This is one of the themes that Flying Health focuses on. Its spin-offs, Dopavision and Neuraltrain, develop digital drugs such as these for short-sightedness and mental health, thus aiming to shape the next generation of healthcare. In addition, Flying Health works on advancing and implementing future-oriented IT strategies in the three clinics of the Schwester Euthymia Stiftung [Sister Euthymia Foundation]. Lina Behrens, Managing Director of Flying Health, will moderate the session which Monika Rimmele, Head of Digital Transformation for Siemens Healthineers, will also take part in.

People make the final decision

Virtual Triage will be discussed from 4 pm on Monday (15 November). Dr. Dominik von Stillfried, Chairman of the Board for the Central Institute for Healthcare Provided by Statutory Health Insurance (Zi), will give an overview of the current status of their work with SmED (structured medical first assessment in Germany) in his forum speech. This is the name of the software which supports medical specialists in assessing acute healthcare issues in telephone centres for the German service number 116117. Software alone does not make the decision on the first assessment. Von Stillfried states: “We ensure that people make the decision”. The people in the telephone centres themselves, even, do not give a diagnosis. Instead, they give advice on how the caller can access the appropriate level of care: Is the patient a real emergency, meaning that they may have to ring for an ambulance? Or can the patient take a little time and consult their doctor in the next few days?

Findings dating from one and a half years ago are now available: “Two-thirds of the callers fall into the “as quickly as possible” and “within 24 hours” categories”, states von Stillfried, and goes into further detail: “When a call is made, then there is already a certain need for care". Von Stillfried adds that the software recommends consulting a hospital for less than a fifth of the patients. However, most people ring at times when an on-call medical service is quickly available, and, in general, a hospital does not have to be consulted. The hotline 116117 will also be completed with a digital self-assessment this year, which is also based on SmED. Some statutory health insurance associations will then start a test run for this.

A hotline with a smart network humming in the background

Those seeking aid can call up the first assessment software on the 116117 website, get feedback and then decide on whether they need further support or not. If they do, they call 116117 and can then allow the call centre worker to view their assessment using a PIN so that they can receive a detailed care offer. SmED is a neural network that offers over 50 million query options elicited from and to respond to around a hundred combinable symptoms, along with in-depth question-answer combinations. Ultimately, all options lead to nine final decisions, which result from a combination of the levels of urgency and the care required. SmED does not use any artificial intelligence in order to draw conclusions from the questions, and it does not, under any circumstances, replace a diagnosis from a doctor. In any case, if the lack of doctors continues to rise, and good experiences are had with SmED, then, in suitable cases, it could be recommended as an aid that people can first use themselves instead of visiting the doctor.

Conclusions from the pandemic for virtual healthcare in the future

Naturally, the COVID-2 pandemic, and above all the period after it, will be discussed. Even after the pandemic, a return to analogue complacency, as was the case before the pandemic, is to be avoided at all costs, warned the Spitzenverband Digitale Gesundheitsversorgung [Central Association for Digital Healthcare] just before the Bundestag elections. Dr. Anne Sophie Geier, CEO of the Spitzenverband Digitale Gesundheitsversorgung, will take part in an expert panel on the future of virtual healthcare in the post-pandemic period at the MEDICA HEALTH IT FORUM on Monday 15 November. However, the Scientific Council for AOK Nordost established in March this year that after one pandemic, another will come. “We cannot overstate how evident it was that shortfalls on the path to comprehensive digitalisation can cause huge damage, particularly in sectors such as healthcare and educational facilities, but also in general management”, reported the Council. The committee speaker, Inga Bergen, will also appear in the expert panel as a speaker in Düsseldorf on Monday. The panel on virtual healthcare following the pandemic will be led by Dr. Sarah J. Becker from the Institute for Digital Transformation in Healthcare in Witten.

A “Digital Angel” for carers

The Digitaler Engel [Digital Angel] project focuses on carers. An important part of the platform consists of algorithms for detecting stress. These analyse ECG data from carers and derive indicators of stress from these. Using the indicators, the platform is able to assess when a carer is under too much strain and suggest suitable measures via an assistance system. This project was developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Software and Systems Engineering ISST and will be presented in Düsseldorf by Dr. Sebastian Dries, Department Head for Healthcare, in the forum session on 15 November from 4 pm.

Machine detection of emotions

On Tuesday 16 November, the topic on the table at the MEDICA HEALTH IT FORUM will be emotions and how to detect them using machines. Under the title of “Medical Artificial Intelligence & Robotics”, “Affective Computing” is given the spotlight: systems and devices that can detect, interpret, process and simulate human feelings. The EmmA project is developing a mobile assistance system that can be used for hazard assessments for mental stress in the workplace and when people return to work following a mental illness. The starting point is a multimodal real-time sensor analysis with the aid of smartphones which interprets physiological and social signals. The forum speaker is the Head of the Cognitive Assistance Systems Working Group which is developing this at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Patrick Gebhard. The Bavarian company audEERING  is going one step further and is looking to detect whether users have COVID-19 using audio recordings. The company has made a good name for itself throughout the world in AI-based audio analysis, particularly with its scalable, rapid technology, which detects emotions from audio signals. Now, the company is bringing out an app for detecting the corona virus, using audio recordings. Dagmar Schuller, Co-Founder of audEERING, will give a talk in Düsseldorf. Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz prizewinner Prof. Elisabeth André, from Augsburg, has also been invited. She established pain recognition as a relevant capability for learning-machine based healthcare assistance. Today, her work is generally used in order to endow robots or virtual characters with the capability to recognise and react to a human being’s emotions.

On the other days of the forum, further valuable insights will be given into the present and future of digitalisation in healthcare. Anette Ströh, Project Manager for Digital Health and Scouting at the Berlin Institute of Health, will moderate the discussion on “Design Justice” on Wednesday, 17 November: User-centred design can transform healthcare, from treating illnesses to supporting personal goals. On Thursday, 18 November, this centres around how the new working methods in healthcare could look, among other elements – or how digital healthcare technology could help refugees.

All information on the MEDICA HEALTH IT FORUM is available online: https://www.medica-tradefair.com/mhif2.

Link to this press information: https://www.medica-tradefair.com/pm08e_healthIT

Author: Dr Lutz Retzlaff, medical journalist (Neuss)

Photo: The MEDICA HEALTH IT FORUM is one of the classics in the world-leading trade fair MEDICA’s programme (c: Constanze Tillmann/ Messe Düsseldorf).

When the world's leading medical trade fair MEDICA and the international trade fair for suppliers to the medical technology industry, COMPAMED, return to the Düsseldorf exhibition halls from 15 to 18 November 2021 in a presence format, the events will once again reach the level of the years before the pandemic with their country diversity of exhibitor participation and thus underline their globally prominent positions. The approx. 2,500 exhibitors at MEDICA 2021 and more than 400 exhibitors at COMPAMED come from a total of 70 nations.

After Germany with around 550 exhibitors (MEDICA + COMPAMED), a particularly large number of companies from North America have also placed their bookings. More than 300 exhibitors will present their latest medical technology and medical product solutions to trade visitors from all sectors of the healthcare industry in mid-November. In addition to the individual exhibitors, North American suppliers are also participating in three US and one Canadian pavilion, which are supported by the respective government agencies.

The North American commitment to MEDICA and COMPAMED is not surprising. In order to secure their global market leadership (approx. 40 percent market share; sources: EvaluateMedTech, SPECTARIS, BVMed), medical technology suppliers from the USA and Canada are seeking market access across all national borders. 

"MEDICA is the world's premier medical device trade show, and the United States is proud to be a strong and consistent partner. For more than 40 years, U.S. medical device exporters have come to MEDICA to showcase new technologies and sell their products to the global market. In the last ten years, there has been incredible growth with over 560 US exhibitors in three USA pavilions and the CEO Center organised by the US Department of Commerce. We are proud to be part of MEDICA's mission to bring the latest healthcare technologies to consumers," says Pauline Kao, Consul General of the USA (Consulate General Düsseldorf).

Silke Ditgen, Trade Representative of the Canadian Trade Commission (based at the Canadian Consulate in Düsseldorf), adds: "MEDICA has been one of the most important platforms for showcasing the Canadian life sciences industry for many years, and we look forward to continuing to support Canadian exhibitors at the show, especially in these challenging times."

"There's no substitute for face-to-face interaction."

Canada's joint stand will feature four of the 13 Canadian companies at MEDICA. Of the 223 US companies at MEDICA, 105 will exhibit in the two US pavilions in Halls 3 (diagnostic equipment) and 16 (laboratory equipment), while 13 of the 63 US exhibitors at COMPAMED will participate in the US pavilion in Hall 14. The US group participations are organised by Messe Düsseldorf North America. 

"It is pleasant surprise to see such optimism throughout the industry. The broad consensus is that nothing can replace the valuable face-to-face exchanges that international trade shows like MEDICA and COMPAMED provide. In fact, Messe Düsseldorf North America continues to receive several enquiries each week from American companies inquiring about available exhibition space," said Ryan Klemm, Senior Business Development Manager at Messe Düsseldorf North America.

Positive mood among exhibitors

Exhibiting companies appreciate the opportunity to participate in the world's leading industry platforms.

"3M Medical Materials and Technologies helps healthcare manufacturers design and manufacture more reliable, innovative and feature-rich medical devices. MEDICA has a solidified reputation as one of the most important life sciences trade shows in the world. We see the value of meeting face-to-face with customers and hearing from industry experts at this event," comments Jacquie Urquia, Global Marketing Communications Leader, Medical Materials & Technologies Medical Solutions Division, Healthcare Business at 3M.

Michael Schiffhauer, Vice President, International Trade Development & Field Operations, Enterprise Florida, is also eagerly anticipating the show's run: "For nearly 25 years, Enterprise Florida - the state's economic development agency - has annually organised the Florida Pavilion at MEDICA. As a result, countless Florida companies have successfully introduced their products to the international market and expanded their export activities. MEDICA has never disappointed us and we look forward to being back in November, especially this year.

All exhibitors admitted so far can be searched online with their exhibitor profiles according to various criteria via the "Companies & Products" databases of the industry portals MEDICA.de and COMPAMED.de. The interactive hall plans provide information on the exact stand locations of exhibitors in the individual halls (link: https://www.medica.de/de/interaktiver_hallenplan). Tickets can also already be purchased: following the hybrid event concept of MEDICA and COMPAMED, either as a hybrid ticket for a one-day visit on site and parallel use of the extensive digital services (45 euros) or as a pure digital ticket (without on-site visit/ 30 euros). With the digital ticket, for example, the stage programmes of the expert forums integrated into the events can be followed online via livestream.

All information, including the latest on the hygiene and infection control concept for MEDICA 2021 and COMPAMED 2021, is available online at: https://www.medica-tradefair.com / https://www.compamed-tradefair.com.

Caption: Exhibitors from the USA at MEDICA (c: Contanze Tillmann/ Messe Düsseldorf).

COMPAMED 2021, the international leading trade fair for the supplier market for medical manufacturing, will be held in parallel with the world’s leading medical trade fair MEDICA 2021 in Halls 13 and 14, and not Halls 8a and 8b as originally planned, at the Düsseldorf trade fair centre from 15 to 18 November. By moving the event to new halls, Messe Düsseldorf is meeting the wishes of the federal state government of North Rhine-Westphalia, namely to ensure that they can continue to use the north area of the trade fair centre for activities in conjunction with vaccine logistics and infrastructure for this federal state.

“All of the experts are in unanimous agreement: The fight against the pandemic will continue to require a huge national joint effort for quite a while. We need to demonstrate patience, stamina and have the flexibility to keep reacting to challenges quickly and appropriately. It is crucial that the vaccination campaign continues to progress without a hitch here. Therefore, we at Messe Düsseldorf believe that it is our duty to contribute to this task, which is of national importance, and trust that our customers will understand. We have created a setup for Halls 13 and 14 that is almost identical to the original stand plan for Halls 8a and 8b for the COMPAMED exhibitors”, explains Erhard Wienkamp, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf.

Christian Grosser, Director of Health & Medical Technologies for Messe Düsseldorf and his trade fair team, will now contact all COMPAMED exhibitors and clarify any outstanding questions on stand placement and planning for their participation in the trade fair in an open dialogue. “We are sure that we will find the right solutions to any issues by working together with our customers. The course of the pandemic up until now has meant that we have needed to adapt our concepts constantly, and we know that the COMPAMED exhibitors are companies that always overcome professional challenges. Last but not least, they demonstrate time and time again that they are indispensable supplier partners for medical technology providers. Many of them may even be pleasantly surprised by the reallocation to Halls 13 and 14, which puts them in close proximity to the MEDICA themed segment for electrotherapy and medical technology, along with the captivating stage programmes from many specialist forums relating to medical technology and even IT”, states Christian Grosser.

In turn, shifting the halls should ensure that many exhibitors and visitors at MEDICA who do not generally make a beeline for COMPAMED are likely to have their appetite for the themes showcased by the COMPAMED exhibitors whetted this year, and also for the COMPAMED HIGH-TECH FORUM from the IVAM International Microtechnology Business Network and the COMPAMED SUPPLIERS’ FORUM from the trade magazine Devicemed which are also integrated into the trade fair.

One of the long-standing and once again largest exhibitors at COMPAMED 2021 is Multivac, which specialises in packaging solutions. Christian Traumann, Managing Director Multivac, supports the move to Halls 13 and 14: "I have known Messe Düsseldorf for many years, as an exhibitor at interpack - of which I was President for some time - and as an exhibitor at COMPAMED. I expressly welcome Messe Düsseldorf's initiative to make a significant contribution to the worldwide fight against the pandemic together with the responsible authorities by providing space capacities, infrastructure and logistical services. That we as an exhibiting industry are also doing our part and supporting this through the change of halls meets with my full approval."

Currently, around 2,500 exhibitors have booked to participate in MEDICA 2021 and roughly 400 exhibitors have registered for COMPAMED 2021. The profiles of all exhibitors admitted to date can be looked up online on the “Companies & Products” database, and can be filtered using a variety of criteria, on the industry portals COMPAMED.de and MEDICA.de. The ticket shop has also been launched. Tickets can be purchased for this hybrid concept event which encompasses both trade fairs: choose either a hybrid ticket for a one-day visit on-site, with use of the extensive digital services in parallel included (45 Euro) or a solely digital ticket (without an on-site visit/ 30 Euro).

All of the specialist forums included in the themed segments for COMPAMED and MEDICA, and far more programme items, will be offered both in person and online and can be accessed by bearers of the relevant tickets.

Current information on the themes addressed by the forums, exhibitors and also on the hygiene infection prevention concept can be called up online at: https://www.compamed-tradefair.com / https://www.medica-tradefair.com.  

Direct link to this press release: https://www.compamed-tradefair.com/pm_compamed_02_halls1314_e

Contacts for exhibitors + general customer enquiries:
Messe Düsseldorf - Information Service
Tel. +49 (0)211-4560-01
E-mail: info[at]messe-duesseldorf.de

Contacts for media enquiries:
Messe Düsseldorf - Press & PR Team for MEDICA + COMPAMED
Martin Koch/ Larissa Browa, Tel. +49(0)211-4560-444/ -549
E-mail: KochM[at]messe-duesseldorf.de, BrowaL[at]messe-duesseldorf.de

The MEDICA start-up COMPETITION, the Healthcare Innovation World Cup, the MEDICA START-UP PARK and more than 100 start-ups with pitches in the MEDICA CONNECTED HEALTHCARE FORUM show that the world’s leading medical trade fair MEDICA in Düsseldorf has also established itself as the international platform for start-ups. Currently, preparations for holding this year’s MEDICA as a hybrid event are in a crucial phase (the event will be held from 15 - 18 November 2021), and the in-person event at the Düsseldorf exhibition halls will be combined with many digital programme points that can be called up from anywhere via the MEDICA.de industry portal using a ticket at the same time. Due to the pandemic, a purely virtual MEDICA reached decision makers from 169 nations and from all sectors of the healthcare industry last year (a total of 45,000 unique users).

As the pandemic has relentlessly revealed deficits in patient care, as well as giving a strong impetus to the digitalisation of healthcare processes, participants can once again look forward to the many ideas and developments of the creative start-up scene at MEDICA.

Particularly outstanding solutions will be selected, for example, as part of the 10th MEDICA start-up COMPETITION (on 16 November/ hall 12 + online), covering the topics of health apps, diagnostics, artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare and robotics. Conformity with the “Medical Device Directive” is not required.

Good arguments for convincing investors

When the start-up Radiobotics ApS applied to the competition in 2020, it had no such certificate. Despite this, it was one of the winners, and today, its product RBknee is a certified Class I medical device in accordance with the Medical Device Directive 93/42/EEC. “We are one of the few companies to have already achieved this,” says Stine Mølgaard Sørensen, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of the start-up. Radiobotics’ AI-based solution automatically generates findings that are relevant for the radiological diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee. These are reproduced as a text report including conclusions and act as important diagnostic support for attending physicians. Sørensen reports on the positive experiences that the company gained during its participation in the MEDICA start-up COMPETITION 2020: “It’s an excellent opportunity to advertise for your company and product worldwide.” According to Sørensen, all that every young business needs is a competition like this to prove its quality. Scoring in the competition is also a good argument to convince investors in later rounds of funding.

All start-ups that want to participate in this year’s 10th MEDICA start-up COMPETITION by submitting innovations can send in their application free of charge until 22 September 2021. For more information about the competition, please visit: https://www.medica-tradefair.com/mac2.

Healthcare Innovation World Cup for solutions regarding the “Internet of Medical Things”

Start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs also have the option of submitting their Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) solutions free of charge to the 13th Healthcare Innovation World Cup. The best 12 selected finalists are invited to present their products as part of MEDICA 2021 (on 15 November/ also in hall 12 + online), which can range from wearable technologies to digital biomarkers, intelligent plasters and smart implants. inContAlert was one of the winners of the previous year. Its system of the same name measures bladder fullness non-invasively. This can be important for patients who can no longer feel their bladder, for example in the case of paraplegia or multiple sclerosis. With this information, they can, on the one hand, avoid uncontrolled bladder secretions and, on the other hand, prevent bladder cramping and its harmful consequences for the kidneys. Today, inContAlert has four full-time and eight part-time employees. While MEDICA 2020 was taking place, the company and its team were financed by the Medical Valley Award. Shortly after MEDICA, the new round of funding began under very auspicious circumstances.

“We use accelerator programmes and competitions,” says Dr Jannik Lockl, co-founder of inContAlert. The company founders actually met for the first time at one such event when they participated in the International Business Plan Competition in Hong Kong that high potentials with a background in engineering from all over the world can apply to. There, top physicians described challenges waiting for a solution, which inspired the co-founders to come up with the idea for inContAlert.

Good organisation and a great deal of attention

Nowadays, Locki can compare his experiences from multiple competitions as follows: “I was surprised by the excellent organisation of and the positive media reaction to the Healthcare Innovation World Cup. It raised awareness of our company with potential partners.” Locki sums up: “We profited a great deal from our presentation at MEDICA.” Today, inContAlert is is well on the way to accessing the market. However, as a Class 1m medical device, economic effects must first be proven. These could be, for example, reducing diaper use or improving patients’ quality of life. In addition, the decreased use of catheters is likely to reduce the probability of urinary tract infections or kidney damage. However, it will be a matter of years before this medical benefit can be scientifically proven. For now, the company is focusing on launching its product on the market.

The submission phase for this year’s 13th Healthcare Innovation World Cup also ends on 22 September 2021. A prestigious jury will select the 12 finalists from all applications, and the finalists will present their companies and newly developed products to an international professional audience at MEDICA in November. All the information on the competition and possible prizes can be found online at: https://www.medica-tradefair.com/HIWC2.

Further MEDICA highlights for start-ups

The MEDICA start-up COMPETITION and the Healthcare Innovation World Cup are fixed programme items of the MEDICA CONNECTED HEALTHCARE FORUM (programme stage in hall 12), which also has many more highlights on its start-up agenda.  More than 100 participating speakers and start-ups will tackle topics such as AI and data analysis, digital prevention, treatment of chronic illnesses, diagnostics and health monitoring on all days of MEDICA 2021. For example, the latest developments in the field of women’s and babies' health will be covered under the umbrella term “FemTech”. “WellTech” is the keyword for forum posts regarding healthier lifestyle and “BrainTech” features ideas and solutions for cognitive and mental health. New developments for practical everyday use in clinics and care centres complete the range of information on offer.

MEDICA START-UP PARK (in hall 12), which has established itself as a central venue for young companies, also prioritises networking. Here, they can present their innovations and come into contact with top international players in the healthcare industry and, above all, with investors from healthcare accelerator programmes, asset managers on assignment from large private estates or well-known venture capital funds.

Information are available online at:

https://www.medica-tradefair.com (MEDICA 2021)

https://www.medica-tradefair.com/msup2 (MEDICA START-UP PARK)

https://www.medica-tradefair.com/mchf2  

The plans for MEDICA 2021 in Düsseldorf, the world’s no. 1 medical trade fair, and COMPAMED 2021, the international main event for medical technology suppliers which is held in parallel, are being ramped up. Both events will take place at the exhibition halls of Messe Düsseldorf from 15 - 18 November. They are closely linked with comprehensive digital offers and services.

Expressing their anticipation, authoritative experts and decision-makers of the healthcare industry have clearly committed to participating on site. In a current survey of several thousand international MEDICA and COMPAMED visitors from previous years, three quarters stated expressly that they intend to attend this year’s trade fairs. With a specific focus on Germany and the neighbouring European countries, these visits are a fixed point on the agenda, as three quarters of the survey participants from these countries (with particularly easy travel options) also want to come to Düsseldorf.

The medical technology industry is equally positive about the events. “Our partners and the trade associations stand firmly behind the trade fairs and appreciate the value of in-person events. The exhibitors are very interested in participating and are delighted to see all of the important industry decision makers and exchange ideas in real life again at Messe Düsseldorf, after so many months of exclusively digital contact with business partners and potential customers,” says Erhard Wienkamp, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf, based on his many conversations with participants.

Exhibitors will bring their comprehensive portfolios of medical products, devices and instruments, including all the stages in their development, production and distribution processes, to present at MEDICA 2021 and COMPAMED 2021.

Based on our experience with the events which were held entirely online in November 2020 due to safety reasons (but still drew a total of 45,000 unique users from approximately 170 countries and 405,000 page views), programme items that are in high demand will be offered on site, as well as being accessible and viewable for participants online via simply structured ticketing.

This applies for the forums which are integrated into the themed segments of the trade fair, such as: the MEDICA CONNECTED HEALTHCARE FORUM (including the MEDICA Start-up COMPETITION and the Healthcare Innovation World Cup), MEDICA HEALTH IT FORUM, MEDICA TECH FORUM, MEDICA LABMED FORUM and the MEDICA ECON FORUM, brought to you by Messe Düsseldorf and the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK, a German health insurance fund). At COMPAMED, the following forums are on the programme: the COMPAMED HIGH-TECH FORUM by IVAM with a special focus on the microtechnology and nanotechnology sectors and the COMPAMED SUPPLIERS FORUM by DeviceMed, where the content is focused on the entire development and manufacturing field.

In addition to these highlights, a programme of several on-stage events at the epicentre of the trade fair will also be on offer. Holders of the relevant tickets can follow the talks and discussions simultaneously via livestreams on the industry portals MEDICA.de and COMPAMED.de.

Further highlights of MEDICA 2021’s programme are the 44th German Hospital Conference, the main event for directors and managing executives of German clinics, and the conferences DiMiMED and MEDICA MEDICINE + SPORTS CONFERENCE that will be held in English. These conferences will gather together experts in the fields of military and disaster medicine and the who’s who of sports medicine and science at the venue in Düsseldorf.

All information, for example current news on the hygiene and infection protection concept at MEDICA 2021 and COMPAMED 2021, can be viewed online at: https://www.medica-tradefair.com / https://www.compamed-tradefair.com

Medical technology providers and their suppliers show huge interest and want to fly their flag on-site

Customised live platforms are interwoven with real-life and digital events

The date (in mid November) for the globally leading live platforms for the medical technology industry remains a fixed feature in everybody’s calendar this year too. The plans for MEDICA 2021 in Düsseldorf, the world’s no. 1 medical trade fair, and COMPAMED 2021, the international main event for medical technology suppliers which is held in parallel, are progressing full steam ahead (the fairs will be held from 15 - 18 November). The exhibitor registration trend this year has confirmed that service providers really want to fly the flag for their products on-site in Düsseldorf and present their innovations at all stages of the industrial value-added chain and show what they can offer to assure a complete workflow for modern healthcare. 

Due to an increased demand for consultation due to the pandemic, the registration period has been extended up until the beginning of May. Planning of the hall layout will begin immediately after this, and Erhard Wienkamp, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf, has good reason to be hopeful, based on the customer feedback: “Our exhibitors are delighted to see all of the important decision makers in the industry and exchange with them in real life again at Messe Düsseldorf, after so many months of exclusively digital contact with business partners and potential customers. The majority of the planned exhibition space has already been booked up.” 

Numerous start-up companies are set to present themselves at MEDICA again. They’ve got good reason to as well: MEDICA has been the catalyst for so many success stories over the past few years. International stakeholders and the movers and shakers of the health industry are always represented here, but that’s not all: healthcare accelerator programme investors, family offices and well-known venture capital funds are also sure to be roaming the halls. The MEDICA START-UP PARK has established itself as a central meeting point for the creative start-up scene, where start-ups can take part under attractive conditions.

A hybrid reboot, powered by tradition 

As a result of the pandemic, Messe Düsseldorf is expanding their digital offensive, which is also being implemented for MEDICA and COMPAMED. The digital offers will be expanded and will mesh with the live on-site programme. This isn’t new territory for the team; it’s simply the next logical step based on years of successfully implemented conception. Christian Grosser, Director of Health & Medical Technologies for Messe Düsseldorf, emphasises this: “For many years, our medical technology industry portals which achieve excellent sector penetration have been the first port of call for the health industry. Here and via social media, we provide current industry information and document trends using a variety of media channels all year round, 24/7. Exhibitors can present themselves and their products in online showrooms and live web sessions, or get in touch with customers during the trade fair using the Matchmaking app. Now, we’re taking the next step.”

Free choice: Online or a special experience on-site

Based on our experience with the events which were held entirely online in November 2020 due to safety reasons (but still drew a total of 45,000 unique users and 405,000 page views), programme items that are in high demand will be offered online and on-site, and will be accessible and viewable for participants via simply structured ticketing. This also applies for the forums which are integrated into the themed segments of the trade fairs, such as: the MEDICA CONNECTED HEALTHCARE FORUM (including the MEDICA Start-up COMPETITION and the Healthcare Innovation World Cup), MEDICA HEALTH IT FORUM, MEDICA TECH FORUM, MEDICA LABMED FORUM and the MEDICA ECON FORUM, brought to you by Messe Düsseldorf and the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK, a German health insurance fund). At COMPAMED, the following forums are on the programme: the COMPAMED HIGH-TECH FORUM by IVAM with a special focus on the microtechnology and nanotechnology sectors and the COMPAMED SUPPLIERS FORUM by DeviceMed, where the content is focused on the entire development and manufacturing field.

These highlights will be presented by a stage programme in the middle of the fair. Parallel to this, selected lectures and discussions can be followed live via the industry portals MEDICA.de and COMPAMED.de with the corresponding ticket.

With regard to the accompanying conferences and congresses, there is also a choice between attending on site or streaming certain programme elements. This applies to the 44th German Hospital Conference, the leading event for the directors and management of German hospitals, and also to the English-language MEDICA MEDICINE + SPORTS CONFERENCE which brings together the 'who's who' of sports medicine and sports science.

Always cutting edge and the hub for networking

MEDICA and COMPAMED together form a completely unique duo that is unparalleled throughout the world, and are able to present a complete portfolio of medical products, devices and instruments, including all the stages in their development, production and distribution processes. Both events are able to meet the increased need for information, exchange and networking, which has risen in no small part due to the pandemic. Together, they constitute the leading industry platforms with virtual programme formats that pick up on the relevant market trends and give a taster of the trade fair’s run and new products from manufacturers via their content. 

For example, the COMPAMED Innovation Forum (organized by the IVAM Association for Microtechnology) will dedicate itself to exploring how microfluidic components can accelerate the battle against the pandemic. This digital event will be held on 16 June. This also applies for lab-on-a-chip components and chemical microreactors that enable rapid testing on the go and are also speeding up vaccine development. Information on the programme and registration are available online at: https://www.ivam.de/events/compamed_innovationsforum_2021. 

All information on MEDICA 2021 and COMPAMED 2021 is available online: https://www.medica-tradefair.com / https://www.compamed-tradefair.com
 

Christian Grosser takes over project management for medical trade fairs at Messe Düsseldorf.

Christian Grosser (41) is the new Project Director for Health & Medical Technologies at Messe Düsseldorf. He follows Horst Giesen, who retired at the end of 2020, and will manage the world’s largest medical trade fair, MEDICA, and the international leading industry supplier trade fair COMPAMED. At the same time, Christian Grosser will take responsibility for the strategic alignment of Messe Düsseldorf’s global medical trade fair activities which are brought together under the MEDICAlliance umbrella brand. Among these are the MEDICAL FAIR INDIA (Mumbai/New Delhi), the MEDICAL FAIR ASIA (Singapore), the MEDICAL FAIR THAILAND (Bangkok) and the MEDICAL FAIR BRASIL (Sao Paulo).

In his new role, Christian Grosser, along with his project team and these events is housed within Erhard Wienkamp’s (Chief Operating Officer) operative division and reports directly to Michael Degen, Executive Director for Trade Fairs.

Grosser, a graduate economist, is already well-linked within the medical technology sector and has a lot of international career experience. He began his career at Messe Düsseldorf as a trainee in 2008. He went on to work in a variety of sales-oriented managerial positions domestically and took on his first project manager roles abroad, for the Messe Düsseldorf China (Shanghai) and Messe Düsseldorf India subsidiaries. In 2016, he returned to Germany and took over managerial responsibility as Horst Giesen’s right-hand man in his role as Deputy Director for Health & Medical Technologies.

In this capacity, Christian Grosser was able to make his mark by creating and executing the first completely virtual events (due to the pandemic) in the history of MEDICA and COMPAMED, among other elements. Despite a very short registration period, a total of over 1,500 exhibitors took part in November 2020, hailing from 63 nations. They displayed a huge variety of products, amounting to over 18,300 items, in their online showrooms, and presented live programmes for the healthcare community in over 100 web sessions. Over 45,000 professional visitors (unique users) from 169 nations used the virtual offers and generated 405,000 page impressions.

“The entire project team took on these challenges with great zeal, and together we have been able to set benchmarks for virtual platforms that have been held in high regard throughout other industries. I’m looking forward to making the events an even greater success over the coming years, together with the team, our customers and partners, despite whatever this era throws at us,” says Christian Grosser, looking to the future with excitement.

From 15 – 18 November, MEDICA 2021 and COMPAMED 2021 will be held as a hybrid event. The hybrid concept consists of combining live platforms for professional visitors to the Düsseldorf trade fair centre and digital offers. Registration is already open for this event.

Information is available online at https://www.medica-tradefair.com and https://www.compamed-tradefair.com.

Contact for exhibitors + general customer enquiries: 
Messe Düsseldorf - Info Service, Tel. +49(0)211-4560-01, E-Mail: info[at]messe-duesseldorf.de 

Contact for media enquiries:
Messe Düsseldorf - Press Team MEDICA + COMPAMED, Martin Koch/ Larissa Browa, Tel. +49(0)211-4560-444/ -549, 
E-Mail: KochM[at]messe-duesseldorf.de, BrowaL[at]messe-duesseldorf.de
 

They provided important stimuli for the healthcare economy and there is keen anticipation for the reunion in Düsseldorf in 2021

For the first time in the history of MEDICA, the world-leading medical trade fair, and the industry’s number one platform for the suppliers of the medical technology industry, COMPAMED, held from 16 to 19 November 2020, took place entirely online due to the pandemic - but still won over their audiences due to their high degree of international resonance in this format too, as virtual.MEDICA and virtual.COMPAMED. Despite a very short registration period, a total of over 1,500 exhibitors took part, hailing from 63 nations. They displayed a huge variety of innovative products, amounting to over 18,300 items, in their online showrooms, and presented live programmes for the healthcare community in over 100 web sessions, which hosted 300 participants at their peak. The community showed avid interest in their droves: Over 45,000 professional visitors (unique users) from 169 nations used the virtual offers and generated 405,000 page impressions. International online visitors to the event made up 78% of the attendees. 

“These numbers confirm the prominent international position that MEDICA and COMPAMED hold. They have provided the healthcare economy with significant stimuli during the height of the struggle against the pandemic, with the wide variety of themes that they took on in their specialist programme and the sheer range of exhibitor innovations on offer. Cross-country networking was boosted. The value of personal meetings was given equal importance and this was emphasised in many virtual speeches. We are all looking forward to meeting up again in Düsseldorf in 2021”, concludes Wolfram Diener, CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, looking to the coming year with hope. 

Exciting formats - a multitude of innovations 

The Conference Area for both events provided an extensive programme, comprising 430 speakers and 360 individual programme points, and set the course for the laboratory medicine sector and the digitalisation of care processes, among other elements. Both of these subjects are particularly important in managing the pandemic. Prof. Dr. Hendrik Streeck, who provided information on the current options for testing immunity to SARS CoV-2, was one of many top speakers. 

The finales of the 12th Healthcare Innovation World Cup (12th HWC) and the 9th MEDICA Start-up COMPETITION provided an electric atmosphere for digital healthcare trends, with pitch presentations from the start-up scene on the internet of medical things, health apps, diagnostics, robotics and artificial intelligence for the healthcare sector. The equal victors of the 12th HWC were: inContAlert (Germany/non-invasive measurement of bladder fullness), BeFC (France/sustainable paper-based energy source for medical devices with low power consumption) and PKvitality (France/blood sugar measurement via Smartwatch). Radiobotics from Denmark emerged as the overall winner of the Start-up Competition, with an AI-based development for radiology, which automatically detects arthritis. 

Robot colleagues provide a multi-skilled helping hand in the medical sector 

The highly anticipated highlights in the Exhibition Space (with online showrooms) included the announcement of the winner for the KUKA Innovation Award 2020 from KUKA, a company specialising in robotics and automation. All participating research and developer teams received the lightweight robot LBR Med for this purpose prior to this year’s Medical Robotic Challenge; they then integrated this robotic component into their own concept for developing a medical product. The HIFUSK team from the renowned Scuola Superiore Sant´Anna University in Pisa, Italy won this competition. They won their audiences over with a robotic application concept for focused ultrasound surgery. This non-invasive therapy method has the potential to change cancer treatment, for example, forever. This therapy can also be carried out in outpatient care - it is gentle and the tissue ablation methods do not leave any scars. 

An industry in revolution - with a platform to match 

Examples such as these show that the medical technology industry is working  hand in hand with developers from the research and scientific sectors, at full innovative throttle, to go head-to-head against the challenging business trends. The extent to which the corona pandemic will change the industry, and to what extent a globally functioning (and virtual) platform is needed right now for exchanging and doing good business, is shown by the new trend report: “Wie SARS-CoV-2 die Medizintechnikbranche verändert” (How SARS-CoV-2 Has Changed the Medical Technology Sector). This report was published by the German Industry Association SPECTARIS and Roland Berger (in conjunction with the medical technology cluster MedicalMountains) within the scope of virtual.MEDICA 2020. Regardless of current business conditions and a drop in turnover due to the crisis, experts expect radical changes to occur within the market and in terms of competition in both the middle and long term. “The crisis set an irreversible chain of events into motion. Digital working models and sales, service and exhibition concepts have now taken on a prized position in many companies’ strategies, and will continue to be prioritised at least at the same level as classic working methods and personal customer contacts, even after the corona pandemic”, explains Jörg Mayer, Executive Director of SPECTARIS. 

With regard to virtual.MEDICA, Mayer comments: “Economic activity and winning new customers have been curbed and rendered more difficult by the pandemic. Therefore, it was even more important for the medical technology industry to meet up, at least virtually, at MEDICA. Messe Düsseldorf provided the urgently needed opportunity for exchanging and transferring knowledge in the form of its many forums and conferences. It has also become clear that trade fairs are the primary drivers behind sales and marketing for the industry, even during the pandemic. virtual.MEDICA was a pioneer in this respect - both during the transition period, and it surely will be again in the future when face-to-face events are possible.” 

Microtechnology for combating corona 

Innovations that can help overcome the pandemic quickly were the centre of attention at virtual.COMPAMED (215 exhibitors) for the supplier market for medical manufacturing. Many companies from the microtechnology sectors are active here, and have banded together under the IVAM Association for Microtechnology. The association organised the English HIGH-TECH FORUM in the Conference Area. Microfluidics is a core technology here, with respect to advancing reliable and economic rapid tests and point-of-care diagnostics. Exhibitors at virtual.COMPAMED offer a broad spectrum of services for this - from contract processing and contract production for disposable microfluidic systems to development and manufacturing of fully automated sample preparation and molecular diagnostic systems. 

Dr. Thomas Dietrich, Executive Director of the IVAM, is also turning his attention to the coming year: “I think it’s very sensible to encourage more virtual meetings during the corona pandemic. However, meeting in person at trade fairs and conferences remains essential for creating long-term business relationships that are built on trust, and this is simply irreplaceable. This is why we’re already looking forward to seeing our customers again in person at COMPAMED 2021 in Düsseldorf.” 

The majority of the speeches at virtual.MEDICA and virtual.COMPAMED, along with the accompanying virtual congresses and conferences (e.g. the 43rd German Hospital Conference) will remain available to registered users for viewing online until the end of May 2021. The exhibitors’ online showrooms will also be accessible up until then. 

MEDICA 2021 and COMPAMED 2021 will be held from 15 - 18 November 2021 as a hybrid event. The hybrid concept consists of combining live platforms for professional visitors to the Düsseldorf trade fair centre and digital offers. 

Information is available online at https://www.medica-tradefair.com and https://www.compamed-tradefair.com. 

The dates for the all of the international medical trade fair events from the Messe Düsseldorf Group are available online at:

https://www.medicalliance.global.

Contact for exhibitors + general customer enquiries: 
Messe Düsseldorf - Info Service, Tel. +49(0)211-4560-01, E-Mail: info[at]messe-duesseldorf.de 

Contact for media enquiries:
Messe Düsseldorf - Press Team MEDICA + COMPAMED, Martin Koch/ Larissa Browa, Tel. +49(0)211-4560-444/ -549, 
E-Mail: KochM[at]messe-duesseldorf.de, BrowaL[at]messe-duesseldorf.de

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – September 25, 2025 – PDO olive oils: excellence is in their nature!
PDO olive oils are distinguished by their extraordinary diversity of flavors and guaranteed traceability, elements that make PDO oils an excellence in the sector. This requirement is supported by specific European regulations, with rigorous controls which, from the olive grove to the tasting, guarantee consumers the purchase of safe and authentic products, ensuring unique tastes.
The great diversity of PDO olive oils and their taste qualities allow them to be used both in traditional dishes of the Mediterranean diet and in creative, modern and innovative cuisine.
The European Union has more than a hundred PDO olive oils, each representative of its terroir, with its own identity. France only produces 4,500 tonnes of olive oil on average (0.16% of world production) but has 8 Protected Designations of Origin: Nyons, Vallée des Baux-de-Provence, Aix-en-Provence Haute-Provence, Nice, Nîmes, Corsica - Oliu di Corsica and Provence.

For the 2021 edition, olive oils with Protected Designation of Origin will be present at Taste of Paris in a space entirely dedicated to taste:
- A tasting area for PDO olive oils: subtle taste, intense taste, old-fashioned taste, there will be something for everyone!
- A "culinary entertainment" area where you will discover olive oils in the kitchen, an ingredient in its own right which brings taste, softness ... in short, which sublimates all kitchens.
- A "Meet the producers" area where you can discuss and discover the products of two PDO olive oil producers every day.

More information: www.lookingfortheperfectfood.eu

Campaign funded with help from the European Union.
France Olive is the French Interprofessional Olive Association and brings together all the players in the national olive oil and olive industry. More information: 04 75 26 90 90.

The content of this promotional campaign reflects the position of the author only and is his sole responsibility. The European Commission and the European Research Executive Agency (REA) accept no responsibility for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
Enjoy it’s from Europe = pleasures of Europe.

France Olive, Place de la Libération 40, NYONS, France
Press contact
Alexandra PARIS
alexandra.paris@franceolive.fr
+33 6 08 61 15 50

France Olive is the French interprofessional olive association and as such represents all the operators of the French "olive oil and olives" sector. As part of a program supported by the European Union and carried out jointly with Unaprol, entitled “Looking for the perfect food”, France Olive promotes PDO olive oils through a varied program of actions and in particular, Germany, the presence at Chef Sache and at Anuga. On the program of our participation in Anuga: initiation to tasting olive oils in PDO, discovery of the taste diversity of these oils with unique characters, meeting with producers, culinary demonstrations around cooking with olive oil.