Cluster of Technologies for the Health Industry in Rio Grande do Sul. MEDICA FAIR

– State of Rio Grande do Sul – South Brazil

When you mention the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), one can say that due to its industrial diversification, innovation & quality, strong research capabilities and highly trained labor force, Rio Grande do Sul is a perfect place to build supply chain for this very important sector of the Health Industry. The main idea behind all this favourable conditions is to consolidate an action plan that is aimed to strengthen the competitiveness of this strategic sector of Rio Grande do Sul’s economy, promoting social and economic development in the State.

Directs benefits: To align production in Rio Grande do Sul with the SUS* priority demand, both for medical devices and pharmaceuticals;  To increase the share of Rio Grande do Sul’s companies in governmental purchases; To develop industrial competencies in Telemedicine and Homecare;  To develop industrial competencies in Biotechnology; To provide the State with a Biotechnology pilot plant. (*Sistema Único Saúde – Federal Public Health System).

Indirect benefits: Development of local technology and consequent generation of highly skilled labour, increased income and purchasing power.

Conclusions:  Advanced Health Care and Pharmaceutical Industry is a government priority. The city of Porto Alegre has a qualified healthcare cluster. With consistent industrial tradition, supply chain and skilled labour, Rio Grande do Sul has established a close cooperation between Technology clusters, Research Centers, Hospitals and Advanced Health Care and Pharmaceutical Industry. Taking this scenario as a starting point, the state of Rio Grande do Sul wants to build a base for other regions and countries, with focus on quality of life and sustainability.

Cluster of Technologies for Health / RS – The RS health cluster gathers key public and private players to act, in a coordinated and cooperative way, in the development and production of high-impact technologies to improve human health, aiming at the competitive insertion of the State of Rio Grande do Sul as a recognized supplier in the national and international markets.

The RS health cluster is grounded in four premises:

• A set of unique competitive skills in the State of Rio Grande do Sul;

• A concrete and highly demanding market in Brazil and Latin America;

• Political will to promote this industry;

• Partnership with a successful cluster model, the Medical Valley in Germany.

So, a prospective mission to MEDICA – www.medica-tradefair.com – was considered a priority action among the short-term objectives targeted by the representatives of the Cluster. It aims at publicizing the partnership with the Medical Valley, establishing direct contacts with German companies and with other exhibitors and visitors of the trade fair.

From the perspective of the NBSO Brazil, The Netherlands could benefit from this high-level visit of Brazilians to Europe in two ways:

1. a) by inviting the Brazilian delegation to visit the Holland pavilion at the Medica fair for a networking event (or to visit the Dutch exhibitors);

2. b) by inviting the delegation members to extend their trip and spend two days in the Netherlands visiting the most important Dutch companies in the field of health & science as Philips and DSM and also the Medical Delta Cluster

Note: the Brazilian delegation will be present at the stand of ABIMO-APEX stand- Hall 17, Stand 17-38.  www.abimo.org.br – www.apexbrasil.com.br

This prospective mission, which is being organized in a partnership between the State Government of Rio Grande do Sul, FIERGS (Federation of Rio Grande do Sul Industries) and SEBRAE / RS (Brazilian Service of Support for Micro and Small Enterprises) will be attended by representatives of companies, hospitals, universities, technology parks and other public and private entities. Thinking about future partnerships, there are already scheduled meetings with important entities and companies from the United States and Israel. This is the right time for planning and implementing new business in Brazil and Rio Grande do Sul.

Tecno clusters:

Tecnopuc – is the largest and most awarded technology park of Brazil

• Main areas: ICT and Healthcare. – Companies: 62.

• 5 PUCRS Research Centers, including NT-Solar Photovoltaic Solar Energy Research Center.

• 22 incubated companies in

  RAIAR

  Incubator with more than 4,100 people involved.

• 150 R&D projects. – 60 researchers involved.

• 160 doctorate and master’s grants, 300 undergraduate grants.

Tecnosinos – São Leopoldo’s tech park

• There are 72 companies operating in the park from 9 different countries;

• 3,800 jobs, 48 Patent and e Registrations of IP, average growth rate of 30% per year and R$ 1.3 billion in sales.

• One Technological Institute directed to the development of P&D and business support, focused in packaging and testing semiconductors.]

• The research involves 10 Doctor Degree, 21 Master Degree Courses, 89 Research Groups