Say Yes to the US! Join Session 6 of our internationalization program

MEDVIA announces US internationalization program for 2024: workshop series + US mission

Updated 19 November 2024

The sixth and final session of Say Yes to the US takes place on 20 November.

AI & data-related legislation in US & EU
20 November 2024, 16.00-17.00
Online

  • Discussion of the regulatory and legal landscapes in the US and Europe, with a special focus on AI and data-related legislation and their impact on health entrepreneurs
  • Hosted by Sander Vogt, Partner of Crowell & Moring Brussels and Jacob Canter, Counsel at Crowell & Moring San Francisco

The webinar is free of charge, please register here. You will receive a Teams link a couple of days before the event.

MEDVIA’s 2024 internationalization program Say yes to the US is a six-part series focused on breaking into the US market. It is organized in partnership with Smart Hub Flemish Brabant and MEDVIA member Crowell & Moring.

The monthly series began in January and concludes in November. A mission to New York and Las Vegas took place from 16-24 October, which involved events and visits to clusters and accelerators.

Why a program on the US?

The regulatory environment in Europe for healthtech innovations can be complicated and time-consuming, while the US is home to a large single market. This means that some start-ups should consider launching their product in the US first. Other companies will be looking to expand their market beyond Europe.

For some innovations, faster impact can be achieved in the US, and can also be more lucrative. Reimbursement policies are streamlined, making building a business case easier and faster. If you want to get your company going and raise the capital to launch in your home market, the US can be an excellent place to start.

Even for R&D companies without products to put on the market, keeping an eye on the US is important. Non-dilutive R&D funds for starters and scale-ups through government grants and funding is definitely worthwhile to follow! Every session will feature special guests who are experts in the topic.

Mission to the US

The US Mission took place from 16-23 October, 2024.

  • 16-19 October: Hub visit, New York City and New Jersey
  • 20-23 October: HLTH US Conference, Las Vegas

For more information, see our post here

Who can attend the internationalization series?

Say yes to the US, which includes the six-part series and the mission to the US, is open to all healthtech companies wanting to learn more about doing business in the US. Companies should be involved in R&D activities. It is possible to attend all or part of the sessions, whether or not you attend the mission in the autumn. 

How much does it cost?

MEDVIA members:  Free
Companies in Flemish Brabant:  Free
Members of BioWin or Lifetech.Brussels:  €175 per person per session
Others:  €250 per person per session

Sessions are free for MEDVIA members and for companies based in Flemish Brabant. This is due to a partnership with Smart Hub Flemish Brabant. Please note that a no-show fee of €250 will apply to organizations attending for free.

Exceptions: Session 3 took place as part of an event hosted by the American Embassy in Belgium. Therefore, there was no charge for anyone for attending this session. Session 6 was part of the Flanders International Business Convention and required a ticket to that event. 

Previous sessions

Session 6: Data, Digital, AI: A transatlantic perspective
Part 1 – Panel discussion
5 November 2024, 16.00-17.00
Flanders International Business Convention

  • Sari Depreeuw – Partner of Crowell & Moring Brussels 
  • Sarah Boone – Associate Partner of Decimal.health
  • Tom Van De Putte – CEO and Co-founder of Bingli


Session 5:
Building your product strategy in the US
30 May, 14.00-17.00
PwC Brussels, Culliganlaan 5, Diegem

  • Anne Elise Herold Li, partner at Crowell & Moring’s New York office: IP & contract strategy
  • Evan Chuck, partner at Crowell & Moring’s Los Angeles office: Business development options
  • Demi Radeva, CEO of Akros Advisory Services: Navigating the US reimbursement landscape

 

Session 4: Navigating FDA regulations
25 April, 14.00-17.30
Crowell & Moring, 7 Rue Joseph Stevens, Brussels

  • Linda Malek and Jason Johnson of Crowell Health Solutions on FDA Requirements
  • Kyun Thibaut of Covartim on FDA submission process
  • Panel (with above speakers): Key Differences between CE marking and FDA certification process


Session 3: Choosing a landing site / Meet MEDVIA’s partner hubs

27 March, 11.00-13.45

  • Matthew Moisan, partner at Crowell & Moring’s New York office
  • State Representative Panel Discussion: Hub hotspots
    Panelists: Marine L’Herrou, Empire State Development, New York / Geert Hovens, representing the Pennsylvania Office of International Business Development / Ellen Kraft, Managing Director, Georgia Department of Economic Development / Nils Künkler, Consultant FDI European Office, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
    Moderator: Antje Abshoff, Managing Director International Business Development, Virginia Economic Development Partnership


Session 2: Entry strategies and considerations
29 February, 14.00-17.30
Crowell & Moring, 7 Rue Joseph Stevens, Brussels

  • Market Entry Strategies by Lex Eley, Partner at Crowell & Moring, Washington, DC
  • Case studies panel: When and how to enter the US market
    Panelists: Peter Kinhan, CEO of Dermicus / Lex Eley, Partner at Crowell & Moring / Ward Servaes, co-founder of moveUP
  • Networking drink


Session 1: Why go to the US?
25 January, 14.00-17.00
De Hoorn, Sluisstraat 79, Leuven

  • Introduction to the series
  • Doing business in the US and working with Americans: Real-world experiences and insights
  • Case studies panel: Why didy ou launch in the US? Featuring: Jan Verheyden, VP Partnerships at Icometrix / Kathleen Verleysen, CEO of miDiagnostics / Julien Penders, COO of Bloomlife


MEDVIA’s greater strategy

Say yes to the US is part of MEDVIA’s Tackling Global Markets strategy. This strategy is one of several we will be rolling out in 2024. What are the others? We’re glad you asked:

  • Tackling the Home Market (BE/EU)
  • The Future of Healthcare (Futureproofing the Belgian healthtech sector)
  • Money, Money, Money (Getting funding, including our project calls)


MEDVIA will position our programming in 2024 within these strategies.

Say yes to the US is held in partnership with: