2 min reading time

I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to share this: Kirk Zeller, DBA gave a fantastic presentation on the Japanese market at this year’s 10x Conference.

Catch the video at https://medgroup.biz/Japan

This fascinated me: Despite having 40% of the US population, Japan has as many senior citizens as America.

Kirk’s been interested in Japan since the 80’s and has worked on 50+ medical device transactions in the past two decades. Some highlights from his talk include:

• If you have a novel technology, come! If you have a me-too product, stay home. There is no private insurance there and only one payer.

• Prime Minister Abe is keen to foster the development of the medical device industry.

• It’s still a lengthy process, but getting approval to sell in Japan takes less time since they’ve tripled the number of reviewers and taken other steps in this regard (see notes).

• You’re less likely to need a clinical trial to launch in Japan. But if you do, you easily will find your patients complying closely with their regimens.

• It’s a mistake to think a good distributor will build awareness and sales on its own. You need to be with them, side-by-side.

Watch the 15-minute presentation at https://medgroup.biz/Japan.

While you’re there, click on “Schedule” to see the agenda for our April event which, for the first time, will include up to 100 exhibitors who can help you design, develop, manufacture, and commercialize your concepts faster and smarter.

Thanks, Kirk!

+++

FREE ADMISSION MONDAY JAN 8, 2018 at the Digital Medicine & Medtech Showcase.

This event takes place as part of the Biotech Showcase in San Francisco, during healthcare’s biggest week of the year. Monday’s program features a panel discussion, company presentations, and a networking reception.

For your free pass: https://medgroup.biz/digimed

+++

Happy Thanksgiving,

Joe Hage
Medical Devices Group Leader

PS. Use code Gobble before Dec 6 for $100 off any 10x Conference pass at https://medgroup.biz/10x

---

Kirk Zeller, DBA
Market Access and Commercial Development Executive, Board Member
Delighted to hear that people found the talk to be useful!

Tim Jeavons
Business Development & Market Access Director at Lighthouse Orthopaedic Consultancy
Really interestjng. Thanks for sharing.

Jason Spencer
Dedicated, fitness enthusiast aligning customer needs with adhesive solutions for medical device assembly
Good insights into the Japanese medical device market. Thanks Joe Hage

Erik Burd (博瑞)
Technical Engineering Manager, Data Scientist, Professor
Joe – thanks for sharing. I watched the video last night. It was excellent.

Sam Fan
Be real.
I heard some Japanese medical companies have very humble margins now. Why do you think a me too product but lower cost without opportunity there.

Dalong LUO
Commenting to watch later.

Philip Nowell
Committed to the Commercial Success of Australian Ingenuity to Help Diversify Australia’s Economy
My experience of operating in Japan mirrors the experience conveyed in this article …and I think despite the challenges, Japan is a great market!

Chea Kunwon, ASQ-CQA, PPI
Chief Executive Officer and Leader of Q.A.Compliance, Productivity Improvement and Quality Audits
A great way selling has expanded for the Medical Device Industry.