1. In Vivo
  2. >>Innovation

Reverse Innovation: Is The US Losing Its Edge In Innovation?

Is US-style innovation in the medical device industry heading towards extinction? Gone are the days when companies believed they could build robust businesses by serving largely, if not exclusively, the US market. Today, emerging markets have become growth markets. But those markets, and even a post-health care reform US, challenge an innovation model that used to reward even incremental technology enhancements with premium pricing, by a price-insensitive customer.

By virtually any measure, the US medical device sector should be the pride of American industry. Is there any other industry with products of global importance and application that is so thoroughly dominated by companies headquartered in the US? In comparison, look at pharmaceuticals, medtech’s sister industry: a list of the top 20-25 biopharma companies would show a healthy mix of US, European and even Japanese companies. Not so the medical device industry where in virtually every category - cardiovascular, orthopedics, wound care, you name it - the top companies all are based in the US.

US dominance is just as great at the investment end of the scale: the US share of venture dollars going...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on In Vivo for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Innovation

Finding The Fire: AltruBio’s Novel Approach To Autoimmune Disease

 
• By David Wild

CEO Judy Chou brings big pharma experience to tackle chronic inflammation with the company's first-in-class PSGL-1 targeting therapy.

Late-Stage GLP-1 Drug Trials Outside The Cardiometabolic Space

 
• By David Wild

A look at Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and other companies' late-stage clinical studies of GLP-1 drugs in indications ranging from neurodegeneration to oncology, and alcoholic liver disease to autoimmune conditions.

AI In Health Delivery: Patients Most Confident When HCPs Are In Charge

 
• By Ashley Yeo

Annual survey of patients and professionals shows how attitudes to health system transformation are evolving and what stakeholders are demanding as acceptance of AI tools accelerates.

Medtech Innovators Court London-Based Investors At BioWales 2025

 
• By Ashley Yeo

BioWales in London 2025 showcased the efforts healthtech innovators are making to meet investors on their own turf, illustrating changing attitudes and evolving needs.

More from In Vivo

AI In Health Delivery: Patients Most Confident When HCPs Are In Charge

 
• By Ashley Yeo

Annual survey of patients and professionals shows how attitudes to health system transformation are evolving and what stakeholders are demanding as acceptance of AI tools accelerates.

Medtech Innovators Court London-Based Investors At BioWales 2025

 
• By Ashley Yeo

BioWales in London 2025 showcased the efforts healthtech innovators are making to meet investors on their own turf, illustrating changing attitudes and evolving needs.

Rising Leaders 2025: Metsera’s Whit Bernard’s Musical Path To Biotech Leadership

 
• By David Wild

Metsera CEO Whit Bernard applies an unconventional leadership philosophy to develop next-generation obesity therapeutics, including monthly GLP-1 injections and oral peptides.