As part of the OSTİM Medical Industry Cluster's 2nd URGE Project, research was conducted in the USA on "Entering the US Market and FDA Processes." Over 150 business meetings were held during the week-long trip. An agreement was reached for the University of Maryland Bio Park to become the 26th stakeholder. Ten cluster member companies visited various institutions, organizations, universities, and research centers in New York, Washington, Maryland, Baltimore, and Philadelphia in the United States.
The cluster first visited the MD&M East 2016 Fair in New York. At the fair, which featured companies operating in medical design and manufacturing technologies, six firms held discussions on new devices and took steps towards improving their production facilities.
During the Washington DC leg of the trip, a program was organized under the auspices of the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey, Serdar Kılıç, together with the Commercial Attaché, Ömür Demir Kızılarslan. Representatives from TOBB, TÜSİAD, and MÜSİAD met to exchange ideas on entering the US market. Ambassador Kılıç enlightened the companies on methods such as joint production and joint entry into third markets, rather than focusing solely on direct sales to the US market.
The companies also attended seminars here. They learned details on the following topics: The Use of Virtual Reality Technology in the Medical Field, Legal Processes for Companies Investing in the US Market, and FDA Procedures.
Over 150 Business Meetings
Meanwhile, bilateral business meetings were held with medical manufacturers in Washington DC, facilitated through the Embassy. Over 150 meetings took place at the event, which included nearly 60 high-level participants. Among the participants were Trevor Gunn, Head of International Relations at Medtronic, and Carr Slayton, Senior Analyst at Boston Scientific. Following the meetings, a field trip was conducted. The John Hopkins Research Center and the University of Maryland Bio Park were visited. An agreement was reached for Bio Park to become the cluster's 26th stakeholder. The signing of the protocol is expected soon.
During the visit, the companies that went to the John Hopkins Research Center were given information about the center's work by Bioengineering Director Dr. Youseph Yazdi, Investment Director Jorge Aquinove, and Benjamin T. Rome. Brad Fackler, Director of the Biohealth and Life Sciences Office at the University of Maryland, Dan K. Morhaim, Jim Hughes, and Brett Schreiber from the Education and Innovation department explained their goals through presentations. Fatin Dağçınar, Chairman of the Board of Directors of OSTİM Medical Industry Cluster, also introduced the cluster and its activities.
The OSTİM group concluded their US trip in Philadelphia. Under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Banu Onaral, they visited the Krish Napsing Center for Nanotechnology at Drexel University, where they learned about the institution's structure. They also examined research on wearable technologies at the Drexel University Excite Center.
Photos
