Why Memphis? An ODT Forum Preview

In 2019, the ODT Forum returned to Memphis after a seven-year hiatus. The single-day event—held at the FedEx Institute of Technology on the campus of the University of Memphis—highlighted a range of critical issues impacting the orthopedic device manufacturing industry. The educational and networking opportunities intertwined perfectly to maximize the value for all in attendance.

As a result of the positive feedback, the plan was to return every other year to continue the event and update the agenda to maintain a focus on the most pressing issues impacting this community. The pandemic, however, had other ideas in mind. As such, the event was postponed for a year but I’m happy to announce it will be returning in 2022 at the same location on April 27.

There are a number of reasons Memphis makes for a perfect location for the ODT Forum. As a travel destination, the region certainly has its appeal, but more so, it’s a major hub for the orthopedic device manufacturing industry. If Warsaw is at the top of the list, Memphis isn’t far behind.

According to the Greater Memphis Chamber, the region hosts a number of major medical device manufacturers, including Medtronic, MicroPort Orthopedics, Smith+Nephew, Stryker/Wright Medical, Bioventus, and Zimmer Biomet. The infrastructure to support these firms is also firmly rooted in the area. Supply chain firms that offer a variety of services from contract manufacturing to surface treatments to full-service development call the Memphis region home. Elos Medtech, Tegra Medical, rms Surgical, Surface Dynamics, Millstone Medical, and others are ready and able to fulfill the needs of orthopedic device OEMs.

Digging further into the data regarding the region, according to information provided in the Journal & Membership Directory of the Greater Memphis Medical Device Council (published in 2019), the medical device sector is the largest exporter in Tennessee and contributes $2.7 billion to its economy. In addition, since 1999, employment within the medical device manufacturing industry has grown nearly 50 percent.

Given these figures, it only made sense to return to the area for the ODT Forum in 2022. With that comes a new agenda that targets both ongoing issues the industry must address, as well as the new challenges brought about as a result of the pandemic.

Delivering the Welcome to Memphis address will be Patrick Fisher, VP & GM—Foot & Ankle, at Stryker. A veteran of the orthopedic device industry and a local resident, Fisher will be able to speak first-hand to the advantages of the area for orthopedic device firms.

Providing perspective on the orthopedic industry big picture will be Robin R. Young, CEO of RRY Publications LLC and PearlDiver Technologies Inc. Young has built a multi-channel publishing platform that serves more than 300,000 orthopedic surgeons, affiliated healthcare professionals, industry executives, and others. In his State of the Industry address, he will share insight on the role and challenges associated with a number of issues, including additive manufacturing, surgical robotics, and AI technologies. He’ll also speak to the fallout faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Giving clarification on biocompatibility considerations from an FDA perspective will be Mehdi Kazemzadeh-Narbat, Ph.D., associate director of Regulatory Affairs at MCRA LLC. In this session, Dr. Kazemzadeh-Narbat will explain the rationales and justifications acceptable for biological risk assessment of orthopedic devices, in accordance with least-burdensome approach.

Tackling the topic on everyone’s mind—what’s happening with the supply chain?—Christopher Oleksy, a medical device supply chain expert, will rely on his more than 30 years of hands-on experience to attempt to untangle the confusion surrounding this substantial challenge impacting suppliers and OEMs. He will address topics such as in-sourcing vs. outsourcing, the impact of logistics/transportation/warehousing, the Duplicate Capacity Dilemma, Just-In-Time/Lean vs. COA Planning Models, labor concerns, and more.

While the full agenda has not been finalized at the time of this writing, I can give a peek at some of the other sessions planned for the event. A speaker panel will be comprised of executives from number of orthopedic device OEMs. This session will provide a candid look at what keeps them up at night, tackling topics including supply chain, regulatory, workforce, reimbursement, and more.

Another session will look at the advantages of planning the regulatory, commercial, and testing strategies early in the product development cycle. An expert speaker will represent each aspect and share their experience in what benefits can be realized from this approach.

I hope you’re able to join us at this year’s event. For more information about it, please visit www.odtforum.com. 

Sean Fenske, Editor-in-Chief
[email protected]