Outiline of METIS

Introduction

In order to foster the development of innovative medical devices that contribute to the health and welfare of humankind and increase the international competitiveness of Japan's medical device industry, it is important for Japan that industry, government, and academia all collaborate together and explore strategies on various projects ranging from research and development to practical application and promotion.

To achieve this goal, we, the Medical Engineering Technology Industrial Strategy Consortium (METIS), aim to increase the international competitiveness of Japan's medical device industry through the development of new domestic products, promotion of the studsy of strategies from research and development to commercialization in cooperation with industry, government, and academia, and support for the development of infrastructure and other activities.

Charter

According to the “National Industrial Technology Strategy” report of April 2000, it was necessary for Japan to strengthen international competitiveness of the medical device industry as an important sector for contributing to medical care and public health in the 21st century. As our first task, the report recommended establishing an organization which played a leading role in technological strategy. Following this goal, volunteers representing industry, government, and academia created a preparatory committee, and this charter was formed based on the recommendations of the committee.

METIS as a steering committee is to study macro strategies in all stages from research and development to commercialization, to improve the industrial technology and the international competitiveness of medical devices that contribute to the progress of medical care and public health, and to formulate systems as well as individual projects for increasing social acceptance of the importance of medical devices.

METIS will accomplish its mission not merely through academic discussions, theoretical studies, and making proposals, but through implementation of the proposals and plans with wide-ranging support and cooperation.
METIS will also strive to enlighten and educate the general public and gain public acceptance and interest from a consumer- viewpoint

The scope of METIS will include not only medical devices but a broad spectrum of science and engineering, such as biotechnology and information technology, and all fields associated with medicine. METIS will help develop cooperation between:

Industry:

not only the existing medical device industry but other industries likely to enter the field in the near future,

Government:

the administrative elements responsible for policy implementation and funding research projects,

Academia:

the universities and research institutes which provide human and intellectual resources for all the sectors, and

Medical profession:

the medical profession from basic research to clinical practice.
In this age of globalization, METIS will also aid with the relationship between international users, medical profession, development organizations, and industry.

METIS will give priority to specific areas considered more important at the time, such as biotechnology, IT, and related fields rather than general investigation, and METIS will make proposals from the strategic point of view and support ongoing activities to implement its proposals.

(1)Increase social acceptance of the role of the medical device industry

• Economic effects on the medical science and care sector
• Tangible contribution for improving medical care
• Promoting public relations activities

(2)Deepen technological strategy

• Initiating medical engineering collaboration systems
• Establishing research and development systems (human resources, funding, and organization)
• Connecting needs with resources
• Discovering creative ideas
• Cultivating ventures

(3)Project proposals

• Specific projects will be proposed after the reports conducted and completed by the working groups mainly composed of the experts from industry, government, academia, and medical profession.
• Proposal contents will not be limited to cover only research and development, but include policy recommendations in the areas requiring cooperation of industry, government, academia, and medical profession in all stages from research and development to commercialization.