The Neurotechnology Industry and the Medical Device Network visit Washington DC

An exciting day out for me in Washington DC - Neurotechnology is an area that Australian Medical Device Manufacturers have excelled, leading the field with the Cochlear Implant for sensory neural deafness, considered as the successful grandfather of this exciting Industry. The arena also includes companies providing diagnostics and treatments for Alzheimer’s, addiction, depression, epilepsy, insomnia, multiple sclerosis, obesity, pain, neuropathy, paralysis, Parkinson’s, schizophrenia, sensory disorders, spinal cord injury, stroke and traumatic brain injury. AusBiotech members and the Medical Device Network are well represented in this emerging field of about 500 companies’ world wide, which generated over US $110 billion in revenue during 2005.
Neurotechnology Industry Organization (NIO) www.neuroinsights.com/news.html Executive Director, Zack Lynch said ‘The economic burden the US faces due to brain and nervous system disorders is US$500 billion and US1 trillion worldwide’. This is set to climbing rapidly due to the aging population.

In order to raise awareness, an inaugural Public Policy Tour of Washington DC took place in March 2007. The event, which attracted CEOs and senior Executives from a wide range of Neurotechnology organizations, visited Capitol Hill, the Directors of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and stroke (NINDS) at the NIH and the FDA Deputy Commissioner. The only international delegation, was from Australia, the Cochlear Implant industry represented by the Medical Device Network, and the diagnostic organization, The Brain Resource Company (BRC), of Sydney. ‘I think these organizations can advance policies that affect all of us, even if indirectly’ said Donna Palumdo of BRC, and she added that the ‘networking aspect, can be invaluable’.
Professional lobbyist facilitated the personal one-on-one meetings, with senators and representatives, including appropriate committee members, such as Senators, Dianne Feinstein and Edward Kennedy. One lucky group even had a trip on the Senate train into the depths of the Capitol building. About 20 elected officials received a visitation and agreed to support legislation for a National Neurotechnology Initiative for Federal R&D funds to direct multi-agency efforts.
The visits to the NIH & FDA were especially enlightening. The NIH participants included about two dozen Program Directors and Analysts, to discuss the NIH Blueprint for Neurosciences Research (http://neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov), along with future opportunities for collaboration. It was noted that many of the NIH grants now go outside of the USA.
Rarely does a Senior Executive have the opportunity to pose hypothetical questions and express frustrations in a safe and relaxed way to the Directors of CDER (Center for Drug Evaluation), CDRH (Devices and Radiological Health) and CBER (Biologics and Evaluation), in the presence of Dr Janet Woodcock, FDA Deputy Commissioner, Chief Medical Officer. Difficulties with progressing devices that cross departments were discussed and all agreed it that this event should be the start of ongoing dialogues.