A Frost & Sullivan white paper stresses that medical device manufacturers must prepare to embrace a business model that covers every stage of a product’s lifecycle – from design, manufacturing processes, and regulatory submission through distribution and aftermarket service.  At the same time, “Strategic Products Life Cycle Management Partnerships as the New Means of Competitive Advantage for Medical Technology Companies” points out that through it all, medical device manufacturers need to maintain fiscal efficiency and profitability while managing highly complex supply chains. All this makes it more necessary than ever for device manufacturers to identify strategic partners with regulatory expertise and market intelligence. 

Celestica Vice President and GM of Healthcare Sandra Ketchen says there are six important points to consider when identifying appropriate partners.  Her “Industry Viewpoint” insights appear in the December Medical Design.