Curing everything from heart conditions to skin cancer: how young companies want to conquer the market

German medical technology manufacturers are benefiting from digitalization in the world of medicine. Companies who are members of the industry association SPECTARIS have calculated that they are experiencing growth rates of five percent for both the previous and present year. The industry association sees digitalization as the main stimulus and this mega trend can be seen internationally. Both large companies and start-ups around the world are making the most of it. Against this backdrop, it comes as no surprise that MEDICA, the world’s leading medical trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, which attracts over 5,000 exhibitors from around 70 countries, is becoming an even bigger hotspot for innovative young companies. From November 12 – 15, 2018 MEDICA will reflect the worldwide trend of digitalization within the healthcare industry with a focus on start-ups.

New start-ups will give presentations every day in the “MEDICA DISRUPT” initiative, held within the scope of the MEDICA CONNECTED HEALTHCARE FORUM and the MEDICA App COMPETITION (Hall 15). A total of over 50 start-ups will present solutions for everything from treating skin cancer and chronic conditions (affecting the heart and lungs, for example) to telemonitoring and tracking of vital signs and activity. Exciting start-ups can also be found in the MEDICA START-UP PARK and at the joint stands, especially those from France, Israel and Finland. Many offer solutions for the prevention and therapy of serious illnesses.
Detecting skin cancer early
The Magnosco start-up from Berlin (Germany) will present its method for early detection of skin cancer using lasers at the MEDICA START-UP PARK (Hall 15). Skin cancer is the most common cancer. In Germany alone, over 200,000 people contract new cases of skin cancer every year. The basic process from Magnosco implements an innovative approach for early detection. With this patented technology, melanin is stimulated to glow by laser. This fluorescence is recorded. Under these conditions, cancer cells illuminate slightly differently than healthy cells. An algorithm recognizes these differences and calculates the probability of tissue disease. The procedure is very easy to do. The user doesn’t have to interpret images. The value that the device states is a measurement value and indicates the level of probability that malignant skin cancer is present. This is one of the few applications that can function without an app. Dermatologists and qualified general practitioners can use it right now, and dermatofluoroscopy can be used on living and isolated tissue.

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