It aims to promote and support an environment that encourages the sustainable development and profitable growth of multinational and indigenous medical device and diagnostic companies.

This is characterised by:

• innovation and entrepreneurship in R&D;
• world-class manufacturing and supply chain strategies;
• responsiveness to patient and user needs through in-depth market knowledge;
• strong growth in added value and exports.

The sector's ultimate goal is to become a self-regenerating industry, from which a series of new products can evolve. IMDA works to make this goal a reality.

IMDA Strategy 2008 -2011

Following a period of intense review and consultation in late-2007, members identified four areas of opportunity for the Irish medical technologies industry to focus on for the next four years.

Manufacturing and Operational Excellence

Ireland’s ability to attract and retain medical device and diagnostic product manufacturing has been the cornerstone of Ireland’s success. Exports of medical technology products exceeded €6 billion in 2007, close to 10% of Ireland’s total exports.

Our objectives are to:

• promote and strengthen the importance of best in class manufacturing operations in Ireland as part of our overall economic development strategy;
• identify and promote the appropriate processes, toolsets, structures, policies and supports required to facilitate manufacturing and operational excellence;
• market our reputation for manufacturing and operational excellence internationally.

Innovation, research, development and commercialisation

The process of bringing new products and services from initial concept to commercialisation is hugely complex. IMDA believes it is utterly crucial that Ireland develops core capabilities and expertise in the areas of innovation, research, development and commercialisation. Relative to our small economy, Ireland has achieved impressive capabilities within its medical technology industry. However, if the medical technologies sector were to fully exploit the country’s unique potential for collaboration with ICT and pharmaceutical companies, medical clinicians and academics – Ireland could become a leader in convergence technologies.

Our objectives are to:

• promote market-led innovation, research and development processes;
• support the development of Ireland as a one-stop-shop taking medical products and services from concept to market;
• maximise research and commercialisation opportunities by developing new capabilities and synergies between industry sectors,academia and clinicians;
• align industry support and the medium to long-term objectives of companies towards innovation and research
• market our reputation for medical device and diagnostic technology innovation internationally.

Shared services

Shared services promise many new opportunities. Ireland needs to develop new shared services models to drive the provision of services for local and global companies.

Our objectives are to:

• identify the potential for shared services within our industry;
• facilitate industry fora to explore the role of shared services;
• promote opportunities for developing viable shared services.

Skills and knowledge

Within the EU, Ireland has the highest ratio per capita of people employed in the medical technology industry. The availability of a highly skilled and educated workforce has underpinned the phenomenal success of the Irish medical technology sector during the past fifteen years. The calibre of our workforce will continue to be critical to the sector’s development and growth.

Our objectives are to:

• support the continuous development of skilled and adaptable people;
• attract graduates by increasing their awareness of opportunities in the medical technology sector;
• facilitate the transfer and sharing of knowledge within our industry
• maintain Ireland’s international reputation for its highly educated and adaptable workforce.
• identify the potential for shared services within our industry;
• facilitate industry fora to explore the role of shared services;
• promote opportunities for developing viable shared services.