IVAM Brings International Medical Technology Expertise Together at COMPAMED 2026

When the international medical technology industry gathers in Düsseldorf from November 16 to 19, 2026, the IVAM Microtechnology Network will once again present an extensive program at COMPAMED and the concurrently held MEDICA. The activities will center on the international IVAM joint pavilion and the affiliated COMPAMED HIGH-TECH FORUM, complemented by new application-oriented Technical Tours, practical hands-on sessions and international networking opportunities.

Around 50 exhibitors and partners from twelve countries will present their technologies across approximately 700 square meters in Hall 8a. The range of solutions extends from photonics, optics and laser technology to microfluidics, point-of-care diagnostics, sensor technology and microelectronics, as well as innovative materials, functional coatings, precision manufacturing, automation and digital production solutions.

The joint pavilion therefore represents key stages of the medical technology value chain: from materials and individual components to development, prototyping and scalable, regulatory-compliant production. The close integration of exhibition, expert forum and networking creates a central international meeting point for technology suppliers, research institutions, medical device manufacturers and users.

Future technologies and industrial implementation

The COMPAMED HIGH-TECH FORUM by IVAM addresses key developments shaping modern medical technology. Its main topics include intelligent sensor solutions, laser and photonics applications, microfluidics and transatlantic cooperation between Europe and North America. The presentations demonstrate how medical systems are becoming smaller, more precise, more intelligent and increasingly connected.

Innovative materials and manufacturing processes play a particularly important role. Biocompatible coatings, PFAS-free materials, medical-grade silicones, glass structures and specialized membranes influence the functionality, safety, service life and industrial manufacturability of medical products. Combined with photonics, sensor technology and microfluidics, they enable new solutions for diagnostics, continuous health monitoring, minimally invasive therapies and personalized medicine.

Another focus is the transfer of technological ideas into industrial applications. Numerous presentations will examine how innovations can be developed into scalable, regulatory-compliant and commercially successful products. Relevant aspects include design transfer, manufacturing, automation and quality assurance, as well as regulatory approval and access to international markets.

“The medical technology supplier industry has enormous innovative potential. The central challenge is to take good ideas successfully from research through development and industrialization to regulatory approval and practical application. This requires very different areas of expertise to come together at the right time. Creating precisely these connections is one of our main objectives at COMPAMED,” says Tim Merforth, Managing Director of the IVAM Microtechnology Network.

New Technical Tours focus on medical applications

A new element of IVAM’s program is a series of application-oriented Technical Tours starting directly from the joint pavilion. The curated tours bring together selected exhibitors and technologies along specific fields of medical application. They provide a compact overview of how microtechnologies enable innovation in diagnostics, continuous health monitoring, minimally invasive procedures and intelligent drug-delivery systems.

For trade visitors, the tours provide an attractive opportunity to discover relevant solutions efficiently, compare technological approaches and engage in targeted discussions with the exhibiting companies.

The established Hands-on Session on Microfluidics will continue to take place in the COMPAMED environment. In addition, an adapted version of the format will be presented at the concurrently held MEDICA. This will connect suppliers of components and manufacturing processes even more directly with medical device manufacturers and healthcare users.

The expanded format has grown directly from the professional exchange taking place within the forum. It demonstrates how the COMPAMED HIGH-TECH FORUM identifies specific industry needs and translates them into new opportunities for cooperation and dialogue.

“Europe meets North America” strengthens transatlantic exchange

Another highlight is the “Europe meets North America” session. Against the backdrop of uncertainty in international trade policy, the program will focus on regional manufacturing capacities, resilient supply chains, joint product development and efficient access to international markets.

The presentations will cover material innovations, medical-grade silicones, coatings, miniaturized medical devices and technologies for minimally invasive procedures. Regulatory topics will also be discussed, including the requirements of the FDA and the EU IVDR, as well as new AI-supported approaches to regulatory strategy.

Europe and North America offer complementary technological expertise and remain closely interconnected economically. The forum therefore provides an important platform for building reliable international partnerships and developing a better understanding of the respective markets, manufacturing conditions and regulatory requirements.

Following the session, the “Europe meets North America” networking event will begin on November 18 at 5:40 p.m. in the IVAM Lounge in Hall 8a, booth F29. Exhibitors, visitors and international partners will have the opportunity to continue their discussions and establish new contacts over snacks and drinks. Participation is free of charge.

Through the joint pavilion, the COMPAMED HIGH-TECH FORUM, the new Technical Tours, the hands-on sessions and its international networking activities, IVAM connects technological expertise with specific medical applications. Together, these activities create a platform at COMPAMED and MEDICA where new project ideas, international partnerships and market-ready solutions can emerge.