Unlocking the full value of medical technology innovation
We are living through a period of astonishing medical technology innovation, with breakthrough technologies transforming the way diseases are diagnosed, treated and managed.
Recently, I joined EU policymakers and senior healthcare leaders at MedTech Europe’s CEO Summit 2026 to discuss how we can ensure patients and society are realising the full benefits of this abundance in innovation.
Healthcare is an investment – not a cost
Healthcare companies have invested deeply in advancing science, building evidence and developing meaningful technologies to support surgeons at every stage of the patient pathway, from diagnosis and treatment planning to the operating room and beyond.
Against a backdrop of ageing European populations and rising demand for surgical interventions, the explosion of innovation is well-timed. At its best, healthcare innovation can improve patient outcomes, boost capacity and deliver significant downstream cost-savings.
One example is lung cancer – advanced diagnostics, precision surgical instruments, robotic-assisted surgery and AI-enabled navigation mean surgeons can now successfully detect and remove early-stage tumours deep within the lungs, resulting in a significant increase in survival rates at lower overall costs.
When you factor in the boost to economic activity and tax revenue that a healthier workforce provides, it becomes clear that money spent on healthcare innovation should not be seen as a cost, but rather an investment that delivers healthy returns – both to patients and to society.
Breaking down barriers to healthcare innovation
However, barriers still exist that can slow patient access to the innovative treatments that can transform their lives, including regulatory and healthcare system constraints.
Regulation is obviously vital in healthcare to protect patient safety and ensure high-quality products. We must also ensure it provides fast, practical access to proven innovations and strong IP protection to encourage further innovation, particularly regarding data and digital solutions, including AI, which have enormous potential to transform lives.
The key barrier is health system constraints, including underfunding, unpredictable value frameworks and weak national access pathways, all of which can delay access to innovation. Structural reforms are needed across the EU, including the scaling up of value-based healthcare. Policymakers must also avoid the trap of prioritising short-term savings at the expense of long-term planning, a tempting strategy in times of austerity but ultimately a false economy.
Europe’s opportunity to lead in patient-centred innovation
As discussions at MedTech Europe’s CEO Summit made clear, Europe has a significant opportunity to translate scientific progress into meaningful patient benefit, stronger health systems and more resilient economies. Realising this potential will require sustained partnership between industry, policymakers and healthcare leaders, with a shared commitment to evidence, access and long-term value. If we get this right, the innovation explosion we are witnessing today can become a lasting force for healthier lives across Europe.
