Polish technology companies are bringing new quality to medicine.

A growing number of companies specialising in new technologies, which are becoming more applicable in healthcare, are being established in Poland. They offer solutions based on remote diagnostics, biomaterials, robotics, virtual reality or artificial intelligence. According to the Digital Health report, as many as 84% of these businesses plan to expand into new markets. The process of establishing business contacts is facilitated by a comprehensive economic programme that has been prepared for Expo 2020 Dubai by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH).

At Expo 2020 Dubai, Poland has shown the most promising and groundbreaking medical technology solutions. Medical Inventi, which is a private initiative of the academic community of the Medical University of Lublin, has developed a modern solution for a third-generation implant preparation under the supervision of an experienced research team. It regenerates bone tissue and helps in the reconstruction of bones. The biomaterial used by the company provides such positive results that there is no need for another surgery to remove the implant. In turn, EGZOtech is a manufacturer of neurorehabilitation robots. One of them, Luna EMG, is a source of innovative solutions. It has personalised and automatic training programmes for patients with significant movement deficits. It increases muscle strength, the range of movement and coordination. Built-in games that can be used during exercises help with therapy and training. The Luna EMG robot also monitors the progress of neurorehabilitation and orthopaedic therapy, with results available in the form of reports. A Poznań-based startup, Aether Biomedical, is also playing an increasingly important role in the modern medical technology market. One of the most spectacular achievements is the Zeus bionic forearm prosthesis. It addresses the sensory problem between the human body and the prosthesis to a large extent, so that the process of controlling the limbs is as natural as possible. The company has raised PLN 14 million of US funds for expansion in the US. For many amputees, this solution can become a ticket to a normal life. The prosthesis uses the latest technological advances in 3D printing, biosignal processing and machine learning. The multifunctional bionic hand prosthesis offers up to 14 different grip types. Signals from nerves and muscles are received by electrodes connected to the prosthesis. They are processed by special algorithms and translated into motion. The Zeus prosthesis is already available in 12 countries, in the European Union and Asia. The founders of Aether Biomedical, Indian scientists Dhruv Agrawal and Faith Jiwakhan, were awarded PLN 100,000 in the 2018 Poland Prize programme to start a business in Poland. This support programme has been implemented by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development, which uses it to encourage foreign startups to conduct business in Poland.

The topics of access to technology and advancement of medical knowledge are the central themes of many events at Expo 2020 Dubai. These include Arab Health, the largest trade fair in the Middle East that takes place in Dubai. At the Polish stand, companies dealing with technology and medical devices actively promoted their products and services in electromedicine, medical technology, IT in the medical and health industries, diagnostic and laboratory equipment, physiotherapy and orthopaedic technology, as well as disposable products.

The organisers of the World Expo have also dedicated the theme week "Health & Wellness" to these issues (27 January – 2 February 2022). Another important event for Polish companies looking for trade partners in new markets was a business seminar organised by PAIH, entitled "The Future of Health. How is Technology Revolutionising Healthcare?" (3 February 2022). Access to technology and the development of knowledge have turned the medical market into one of the fastest-growing industries, which has positively affected the advancement of medical technology innovation and the increase in the number of startups. This event created room for discussion on the use of modern solutions in human treatment with the use of artificial intelligence and robotics. The seminar was an opportunity to show the latest trends and simultaneously an attempt to define challenges standing in the way of Polish startups.

Polish medical equipment and devices are well-known for their high-quality, low failure rate, low operating costs, low service and spare parts prices, high durability, compatibility with equipment manufactured by other companies and excellent value for money ratio. The domestic value of the Polish medical devices and equipment sector amounts to EUR 2.9 billion and represents 15% of the share of all Polish manufacturers.

The "Top Disruptors in Healthcare" report identified the state of startups producing new medical technologies and the level of their development. The survey conducted in over 100 Polish companies showed that as many as 61% of respondents representing specific organisations are at the stage of commercialisation or business expansion. In comparison to last year, more startups are offering telemedicine solutions (55%), as well as solutions based on artificial intelligence and machine learning (45%). The survey also revealed that many startups are developing innovations in the area of medical data and devices and independent applications. As many as 60% of them reported recurring sales revenue. This demonstrates the strong export and investment potential of these organisations. Technology companies are greatly interested in the prospect of growth in foreign markets. Expo 2020 Dubai constitutes a perfect opportunity to achieve more than just the set targets.