French healthcare experts will be present at Arab Health, the leading medical exhibition in the Near and Middle East, from January 30 to February 2, 2023. As a must-attend event for healthcare professionals, the 2023 edition of the exhibition will welcome a delegation of 88 French companies. Gathered under the banner of the French Healthcare in partnership with the French Healthcare association which is bringing together French healthcare players wishing to jointly promote their activities internationally, Rebalance Tech , Eurasanté and Devup in order to gain visibility on the international scene. French companies will present their smart solutions designed to tackle the current health challenges and meet the show’s theme “Innovation and Sustainability in Healthcare”. 

After a successful 2022 edition that brought together professionals from more than 184 countries, Arab Health exhibition has established itself as the federating event of the health ecosystem in the Near and Middle East zone. The four days of the exhibition will be punctuated by various demonstrations and business meetings.  

This year, Business France brings together 88 French healthcare experts on 3 pavilions which will be located in: 

- Za’abeel 2 Hall for the “medical equipment & devices” sector 

- Sheikh Rachid Hall for the “orthopaedics & physiotherapy / rehabilitation” sector 

- Sheikh Saeed 1 Hall for the “imaging & diagnostics” sector 

As a unique occasion for French companies to provide their expertise on essential health topics, create and develop meaningful connections while also supporting the innovation in the healthcare sector in the UAE and the region, the latest technologies showcased will be on disposables, orthopaedics, healthcare and general services, imaging, medical devices, IT, wellness and prevention, infrastructure, assets, and more. The event will also be marked by the visit of Mr. Jean Patrick Lajonchère, Export Health Federator, to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affaires and to the Minister Foreign Trade and Attractiveness on January 30 and 31.  

A strong French presence in the UAE and strategic key partnerships 

In a country extremely committed in terms of improving the healthcare system, France has a strong presence with renowned and qualified actors such as Ipsen, Servier, Sanofi, Pierre Fabre ..to name just a few. Arab Health will be the opportunity for more French actors to come and explore the market and develop strong ties with the local partners.    

In September 2022, four major not-for-profit French hospitals: Curie Institute, Paris Saint-Joseph and Marie- Lannelongue Hospitals, Rothschild Foundation Hospital and the medical services and consulting company C3Medical have announced their collaboration in opening an office in Dubai in order to better address the needs of the population in middle east & strengthen to relations with local ecosystem.  

UAE’s healthcare investments are moving well beyond investing in pharmaceutical production are going into the very core of generating the knowhow - and potential cure - of diseases and their treatments. 

In mid-June 2022, French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi signed an agreement with the Abu Dhabi Ministry of Health aiming to work on four distinct healthcare priorities, involving extensive R&D as well. 

As part of this, Sanofi will extend its hand for a clinical research project and patient recruitment protocol as well as participate in DoH’s Cancer Advisory Group to ‘develop policies significant to the elderly cancer-patient community’. Both will also ‘co-create’ a high-risk population screening project that will support in the detection of rare metabolic diseases utilising AI tools. 

France recognised worldwide for its medical excellence 

France enjoys a worldwide renowned image for the quality of its healthcare offer as well as for its industrial, technical and scientific expertise. It stands out all over the world thanks to its health performance. A leader in the fight against cancer, it has one of the best cure rates and has more than 130 research projects and 13 Nobel Prizes in medicine. 

On the occasion of the French participation to the 47th edition of Arab Health, Axel Baroux, French Trade & Invest Commissioner & Managing Director of Business France Middle East, commented: “France is delighted to renew its commitment to taking part at the Arab Health Show. I believe that French Healthcare companies, these already present in the UAE and the French exhibiting companies at Arab Health wailing for new partnerships can build jointly with the local healthcare professionals a strong new healthcare system.” 

“Facilitating access to care, improving health system and providing new technologies and services for the patients are a common ambition between the French-UAE healthcare authorities and systems” added Baroux. 

Innovation at the heart of French companies' strategies 

French companies are redoubling their ingenuity by proposing innovative concepts. R&D efforts are considerable: 6% of sales in 2020, making innovation the central element in the development strategies of French companies. France's expertise is based on national research centers, competitive clusters and universities that place it at the forefront of global health research. France is ranked number 5th in the world for the number of patents filed. 

The French Company Rebalance Tech has developed a revolutionary mental wellness & neuro-relaxation solution: Rebalance Impulse®. This stimulation and cognitive training device based on applied neuroscience is mainly devoted to fighting chronic stress, improving sleep quality, and increasing vitality. The effectiveness of Rebalance Impulse® has been the subject of clinical studies, published in the world-renowned scientific journal: Frontiers in Psychology. 

Rebalance Impulse® operates in the following markets: medwellness, professional sports, healthcare, and corporate. The programs integrated in this innovative and non-invasive solution target: Neuro-Relaxation, Sleep, Addictions, Memory & Concentration, Pain Management, Emotions Management, Slimming, Brain Anti-Aging, Long Covid Recovery, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (EMDR).  

Medtech: a dynamic sector in full expansion 

French industrial production includes 1,440 MedTech companies, 93% of which are small and medium-sized companies that together employ 88,000 people. The industry generated a turnover of €30.7 billion in 2021, of which €10 billion came from exports (+4% compared to 2020). Some companies generate more than 50% of their turnover abroad, such as Médipréma, which has developed a phototherapy solution adapted for neonatology. 

The MedTech sector is very dynamic thanks to its innovative companies. It includes all medical devices - surgical robots, telemedicine objects, medical imaging, but also artificial hearts as well as respirators, The European market is the second largest in the world, valued at 140 billion euros per year.  

The potential of French medical technologies is growing rapidly thanks to artificial intelligence, connected objects and quantum technology. These are all applications that should continue to develop strongly, while adapting to the different needs of patients, but also of health professionals. With the company ATA Medical, which has adapted to the recent health issues: thanks to the DOPAIR1000, a specialized and connected solution for air treatment in hygiene environments. 

 

French Healthcare: Promoting France’s strengths 

 

French Healthcare is an innovative public-private initiative aimed at bringing together players in the French healthcare ecosystem (businesses, researchers, healthcare professionals, public players, etc.) so that they can jointly promote their activities, know-how and technologies internationally. It contributes to promoting the French vision for global health, based on a humanist approach to care and fair and equitable access to health products and services. Business France, the national agency that supports the international development of the French economy, in partnership with the French Healthcare association and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is responsible for promoting the brand, which aims to co-ordinate a collective approach to stimulate international co-operation and promote France's strengths.  

Follow French Healthcare: 

#FrenchHealthcare 

Website: www.frenchhealthcare.fr  

 

Business France: Supporting development of French economy 

Business France is the French agency responsible for supporting the international development of the French economy. It works to promote export growth by French businesses, and to encourage and facilitate international investment in France. It promotes the economic image and attractiveness of France, its companies and regions. It also runs and develops France’s International Internship Programme - VIE 

Business France has 1,500 employees in France and 56 other countries. It relies on a network of public and private partners. In January 2019, as part of the reform of the public export support system, Business France transferred support for French SMEs and mid-caps to private partners in the following markets: Belgium, Hungary, Morocco, Norway, the Philippines and Singapore. 

 

For more information: www.businessfrance.fr @businessfrance #BusinessFrance 

 

<<Back to Management

The world is witnessing the adamant domination of GCC countries in the ultrasound devices market due to the rising patient population base for chronic and lifestyle-related disorders, technological advancements, and growing market demand for minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. Considering that Leader Healthcare, the leading heal-tech facilitator in the region, recently fored a strategic alliance with the industry's upcoming leader' Qingdao Hisense Medical Equipment Co. Ltd.' at Arab Health 2023.

The ceremony was graced with the presence of both parties. The dignitaries vowed to work together passionately by addressing the pain points of the healthcare sector while increasing the implementation of new technology in these medical systems to further boost their efficiency in healthcare processes. 

Hisense, the global electronics and whitegoods manufacturer and the official sponsor of the recently concluded FIFA World Cup 2022 with its medical business subsidiary 'Qingdao Hisense Medical Equipment Co. Ltd.' has appointed Leader Healthcare as its Official Distributor and Service Partner in the UAE market for Hisense branded Ultrasound Imaging systems. 

A relatively new player in the healthcare domain, Hisense launched its Ultrasound Imaging Portfolio in the International markets in 2021. The range, entirely developed in-house by its team of R& D engineers, features three models – HD62, HD60 & HD58 focusing strongly on the mid–end of the market, thereby clearly demonstrating its desire to enter and grow within the competitive healthcare industry. 

"We are very excited and did our bit of research before moving forward with this partnership. Moreover, the intense capabilities of the technology with the immense exposure it gathered during the show with utmost attraction sealed our decision to join hands with Qingdao Hisense Medical Equipment Co. Ltd," said Sukhdeep Sachdev, Global CEO - Leader Healthcare.

"Being a new entrant in the Ultrasound business, it is critical for us to demonstrate our technology strength and build the confidence of end users in our products," shared Raymond Li – General Manager of the International Markets for Hisense Medical.

The agreement will foster long-term business relationships between the two companies and contribute to Hisense's entry into the healthcare sector and further international expansion through Leader Healthcare's access to the United Arab Emirates' high-growth market. 

"Feelings are mutual. Leader Healthcare finally managed to get a hold of this exciting technology. We look forward to stepping into big milestones of success together shortly, not only in UAE but hopefully in other regions soon as well," said Malaz M. Fadlallah, Head of Medical Division – Leader Healthcare.

"Appointing Leader Healthcare as our official partner gives us immense confidence to launch our Ultrasound range in the region's most advanced and competitive market. We are sure that with their strength and experience in the healthcare business, coupled with our imaging technology, we are well placed to achieve joint success," added Raymond. 

The market is dynamic in the post-COVID-19 era, focusing more on making every treatment accessible. The partnership between Leader Healthcare and Hisense provides a solution that delivers the best value for service users. Hisense HD 60 perfectly complements end-users' quests for innovative products that combine maximum capabilities with cutting-edge technology.

Precision medicine for tailoring patient treatments and cutting-edge pocket-sized CT scanners that cost significantly less to produce and run, than the machines commonly used in hospitals, are just some examples of the innovation that has started to change how healthcare is delivered, to the benefit of patients, health systems and economy.   

Remote monitoring of patient vitals data on mobile apps, give clinicians the ability to monitor, assess and adjust treatments remotely such as cardiac equipment, like pacemakers or defibrillators. And let’s not forget, virtual reality that speeds up healing in rehab and artificial intelligence that has been trained to identify lung tumours from radiological scans.   

In the UK, we see tech making game-changing health advances, and UK innovators, academia and the NHS, collaborating to make significant life-changing discoveries.  

For example, advanced therapy medicinal products based on genes, tissues or cells, are being used to treat a wide range of conditions in the UK, including cancer and rare diseases; this novel approach has come from cutting-edge R&D, made possible through forward-thinking science and healthcare strategy and long-term investment. There are over 130 advanced therapies companies in the UK, which includes university spinouts such as Orchard Therapeutics, Autolus, Cell Medica, GammaDelta Therapeutics and Quethera. 

Chris Born, NHS Innovation & Clinical Services Specialist, Healthcare UK 

The NHS is rising to the challenges facing our evolving healthcare needs, such as the rise of chronic diseases, and is heavily focused on transforming patient care, outcomes and patient experience. Clinicians are incorporating the latest technological advances into their daily practice to achieve continuous health improvements. The rapid pace in biomedical and technological innovations has transformed the lives of many. By becoming early adopters of innovations, the UK has made great strides in transforming the healthcare landscape. 

There are several key drivers that we see as underpinning global healthcare transformation:  

- Healthcare need: Growing ageing population, rising prevalence of communicable and noncommunicable disease, move towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), sustainable development goals on good health & wellbeing, and higher income families. 

- Healthcare innovation ecosystem: Access to public health campaigns, incentivising innovators, advanced research strategy, HealthTech, personalised medicine, improved collaborations, and advanced medical manufacturing. 

There are many phenomenal innovations that we can talk about… 

In a trial, a teenage girl's incurable leukaemia has been cleared from her body in the first use of a revolutionary new type of medicine. Doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital used "base editing" to perform a feat of biological engineering to build her a new living drug.  

Base editing allows scientists to zoom to a precise part of the genetic code and alter it, thereby reprogramming that section of the code with different genetic instructions. The team of doctors and scientists used this tool to engineer a T-cell that was capable of hunting down and killing cancerous T-cells. 

The NHS has implemented an AI tool which detects heart disease in 20 seconds while patients are in an MRI scanner. A British Heart Foundation (BHF) funded study concluded the machine analysis had superior precision to three clinicians. It would usually take a doctor 13 minutes or more to manually analyse images after an MRI scan. The technology is being used on more than 140 patients a week at University College London (UCL) Hospital, Barts Heart Centre and Royal Free Hospital.  

AI driven TCD ultrasound for open aortic arch surgery 

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital recently became the first heart centre in the UK and EU to acquire the world's first and only fully autonomous AI driven robotic transcranial doppler (TCD) ultrasound system for use in open aortic arch surgery. The system monitors blood flow velocities during aortic surgery, providing safer patient care. 

Clinical Genomics Services for non-chemotherapy treatment 

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, together with the Institute of Cancer Research, is one of the largest comprehensive cancer centres in Europe. The Clinical Genomics service provides an extensive repertoire of genomic testing to detect rare genetic changes in the tumour. The range of specialised genomic cancer tests provide a comprehensive overview of the tumour profile to identify diagnostic markers, treatment targets and potential resistant mutations. The finding of an FGFR fusion test means that the patient has the opportunity of highly effective non-chemotherapy treatment that will prolong survival by a year or more.  

Pioneering bowel surgery by robot at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust 

The surgery to remove a bowel cancer tumour at The Christie is the first recorded surgical case in the UK. It is likely to be one of only a handful in the world, of robotic surgery to remove part of the bowel.  

Pioneering procedure that ‘wraps’ gullet in stomach for those at risk of oesophageal cancer at University College Hospital, London 

There is now an incisionless alternative to anti-reflux surgery called TIF - Transoral incisionless fundoplication. TIF uses the ‘EsophyX’ device to reconstruct an ‘anti-reflux valve’ from the patient’s own gullet. Studies have shown that for up to five years after the TIF procedure, GERD symptoms are significantly reduced. TIF takes around 30 minutes and doesn’t require surgery and can reduce the risk of oesophageal cancer in those with chronic acid reflux and Barrett’s oesophagus.  

Pioneering procedure to treat rare form of pulmonary hypertension performed on 150th patient 

Royal Papworth Hospital is performing balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA), a successful treatment option for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), a procedure in which a tiny balloon is inserted into the blood vessels of the lungs and inflated to around the size of a pea, pushing the blockage aside, restoring blood flow to the lung tissue. 

Arrhythmia: Diamonds used to cool hearts as new service launched 

Patients at Royal Papworth Hospital are benefiting from a new cardiology service which uses diamonds to help correct abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia). An ablation is a procedure which uses either heat (radiofrequency ablation) or freezing (cryoablation) on the problematic area of the heart that is triggering the dangerously fast rhythm. A team at Royal Papworth recently performed its first ablations using a catheter containing industrial grade diamonds in the tip, enhancing patient safety and leading to shorter procedure times.  

NHS Trust performs 100th DCD heart transplant 

In 2015, Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust became the first hospital in Europe to perform a pioneering type of heart transplant - donation after circulatory death (DCD) - and in 2022 performed its 100th DCD heart transplant, making it the biggest and most successful DCD heart transplant centre in the world.  The DCD programme increases heart transplants by almost half. They have also proctored a number of centres globally, helping to expand the list of countries who offer DCD heart transplantation. 

 

Connect with the UK at Arab Health 2023  

 

For many years NHS Trusts from across the UK have been working collaboratively with global healthcare innovators and international partners, to support government and private providers around the world with health challenges.  

 

At Arab Health 2023, the Department for International Trade is delighted to be bringing a delegation of NHS Trusts to the exhibition to share expertise and look at ways we can work collaboratively with international partners. Come and visit us on the UK Pavilions located in Hall 6 and Hall 2 or visit www.discoverhss.co.uk to find out more. 

References available on request