Why anything is possible in life sciences...

I love life sciences. And working across the media of three branches of the sector – medical devices, digital health and pharmaceuticals – it’s hard not to be excited by what seem like daily developments in these markets that push the realms of possibility further and further

What I also love is the fact that a development in one area of life science has a strong and positive effect on innovation in the others.

The digital health industry is one example of this. With the fitness arm of this taking the lead in the early stages, opportunities for the medical device market were somewhat overshadowed. A year on from the launch of our very own Digitalhealthage.com and the market for device makers, materials suppliers and technology experts is flourishing. We've seen the growth of wearables for those with long-term conditions such as diabetes, as the benefits to both patient and healthcare professional have become apparent to the wider industry. From here, the medical plastics sector, the connected technology industry and markets such as medical adhesives, are recognising the positive impact the growth in digital health is having on the device sector as a whole. This is something that adhesives expert Techsil has recognised and indeed, discusses in this issue. With many devices currently in design stage and not due to hit the market until 2020, there is longevity and opportunity to be had.

Elsewhere another life science market which is creating a ripple effect, is personalised medicine. As patient-specific drug formulations become increasingly prevalent, it is likely we’ll see a shift in the type of drug delivery device used as a more personal, bespoke product will be required. It’s here that 3D printing looks likely to steal a march for the production of devices that allow for tailored drug formulations. There is much work to be done in this field regarding material selection and design but the future looks exciting for those involved and what’s even more interesting is that the rise in personalised medicine may be the catalyst for turning the way treatment works on its head. Diagnosis will lead to a tailor-made drug and the device will made on demand, near to point-of-care. It’s a huge step forward and one which, like the digital health industry is all the more stronger thanks to the shot in the arm that connectivity between all life science sectors creates.