SHERIDAN, WYOMING - November 13, 2025 - The world's leading trade fairs for medical technology and healthcare innovation, MEDICA 2025 and COMPAMED 2025, will return to Düsseldorf from November 17-20, bringing together more than 5,300 exhibitors from 70 nations. This year's edition arrives at a pivotal time for the global medtech sector, as artificial intelligence, robotics, and connected care redefine healthcare delivery-while supply chain volatility, regulatory change, and labor shortages continue to test resilience across markets.
Shaping the Future of Healthcare Transformation
"Artificial intelligence, robotics, digitization and networked care are shaping the transformation of healthcare," said Michael Degen, Executive Director of Messe Düsseldorf. "At the same time, regulatory demands, disrupted supply chains, and trade restrictions are challenging the medtech industry. Amid these dynamics, MEDICA and COMPAMED provide professionals with a platform to prepare for the change through discussions, networking, and product innovations."
More than a showcase of technology, MEDICA 2025 aims to provide clarity for decision-makers in both hospital operations and supply-chain development. According to Carmen Berger, Director MEDICA and COMPAMED, "In the course of implementing hospital reform, clinics will gradually gain clarity for investments. Various market studies forecast significant growth impulses, with the German medtech market expected to grow by five percent annually until 2029 and investment volumes exceeding €100 billion."
Policy Dialogue and Global Leadership
The event's opening will feature German Federal Minister of Health Nina Warken and North Rhine-Westphalia's Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann, underscoring the fair's political significance. Under the theme "Restarting Hospital Policy - Courage for Change," the 48th German Hospital Congress will address the ongoing national debate on healthcare reform and investment planning.
MEDICA's international profile is further reinforced by high-level participation from abroad. EU Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi will join industry leaders for discussions on market access, while U.S. Governor Tim Walz, representing Minnesota's strong medtech base, will highlight transatlantic collaboration. The U.S. presence remains robust with around 300 exhibitors.
Robotics and AI Drive New Frontiers in Medicine
Medical robotics will take center stage as one of the fastest-growing fields in healthcare technology. Exhibitors and conference sessions will spotlight applications ranging from surgical robotics to automated logistics and laboratory systems. "From the combination of robotics and artificial intelligence, many new options will emerge-such as robot-assisted surgery based on AI-refined imaging data," noted Degen, referencing the new industry study "Robotics in Healthcare", developed in cooperation with the SPECTARIS industry association.
Key focus areas include:
- Robot-assisted surgery and lab automation
- Medication preparation and logistics
- AI-integrated imaging and precision diagnostics
- Regulatory and market insights from the new robotics whitepaper
Innovation Ecosystem and Startup Power
MEDICA 2025 will introduce the new MEDICA INNOVATION FORUM (Hall 12), merging previous health IT and digital-health formats under one roof. Speakers such as Digital Health pioneer Daniel Kraft and journalist Thomas Schulz will headline discussions alongside competitions like the MEDICA START-UP COMPETITION and the HEALTHCARE INNOVATION WORLD CUP.
The MEDICA START-UP PARK has reached a record 80 participants, with disruptive entrants such as:
- HeartHero (USA): A portable, user-friendly AED that delivers defibrillation only when necessary.
- Bottneuro (Switzerland): The "Miamind" 3D-helmet enables personalized neurostimulation for Alzheimer's, stroke, and depression.
- Healex (Germany): A digital platform that automates clinical trial billing. "Clinics lose millions every year because invoices for contract studies are not issued. With our platform, we create transparency and secure this revenue for healthcare," said Alexander van der Mey, CEO of Healex.
COMPAMED: The Supply Chain Powerhouse
Running parallel to MEDICA, COMPAMED 2025 will showcase over 750 suppliers and manufacturing partners across halls 8a and 8b. The exhibition's focus on microtechnology, electronics, new materials, and cleanroom solutions underscores how the medtech supply chain is innovating to support next-generation devices and sustainable production. Program stages will cover everything from precision manufacturing to contract development for OEMs.
Industry Outlook and Strategic Significance
Visitors from more than 160 countries are expected, including government and trade delegations from all continents-affirming the shows' global reach. Together, MEDICA and COMPAMED continue to function as the industry's strategic platform for knowledge exchange, market entry, and partnership formation.
Both events are open exclusively to trade visitors, with new closing-day hours (Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.). For detailed schedules, speaker line-ups, and exhibitor directories, visit www.medica.de and www.compamed.de.