As competition continues to be fierce in the international business sector, research and development continues to be an area which could provide substantial economic incentives for Malta.

Gerald Fenech spoke to Ing. Alex Aquilina, general manager at Microtek Medical Malta Ltd, which specialises in medical production



How did you get involved in the R&D sector and what is your background in this field?

R&D in our business of medical devices is mostly customer driven and it is of paramount importance in assuring long-term organisational success. We provide solutions by developing disposable medical devices (Class I and II) of all different kinds together with innovative packaging.

This is an added value to our customers hence keeping a competitive edge on our direct competitors. All solutions have to have to go through a rigorous series of validations to justify an innovative product or an upgrade of an existing product.

All development programme documentation must meet ISO 13485 standards. In doing so we have to look into materials validations, design validations, functionality validations, manufacturability and costings, ageing studies, and sometimes clinical trials for market acceptance. To provide such validations, we invested, and continue to invest, in a laboratory and a number of testing and metrology equipment. Investment in technical resource was also considered within our R&D function.

I graduated way back in 1992 as a mechanical engineer and started off as a research and development engineer in another medical devices manufacturing plant followed by several years in production processes of these plastic medical devices. Core competencies were related to disposable medical devices in the infusion and transfusions systems. So I had been through all sorts of protocols and validations processes following medical devices standards.



How do you believe pharmaceutical research is doing in Malta and what would you recommend as steps to be taken to attract more of this market to Malta?

Research and development within the medical devices industry in Malta is a must to remain successful in an already crowded healthcare global marketplace. Each manufacturing facility, four to five medical devices companies in all, in Malta, is either developing locally new products or sourcing new products through its mother company R&D.

I believe that the key elements to attract the R&D market to Malta, are in providing: financial incentives; an educated and well trained work force; more ready to move into facilities, such as laboratories and clean rooms; science parks for all kinds of testing and measuring equipment; close contact with university and hospitals, especially surgeons and other specialists; cross-industry collaboration on best practices in product design and commercialisation; versatile funding schemes to facilitate specific requirements; co-partnering with research consortia; and developing international links.



What is your specialisation in medical research and what does the company you work for specialises in?

The mission at Microtek Medical is to serve as the medical world’s trusted source of innovative product solutions for risk reduction and protection. Microtek Medical provides healthcare professionals with product solutions that meet a diverse range of needs and even develops new product innovations to meet emerging needs. The company is committed to helping improve the quality of patient care and prevent cross infection in hospitals and other clinical environments. Our company’s specialisation in patient care is in thorax drainage systems, wound drains, biopsy bags, gastro feeding tubes, trocars, paediatric and orthopaedic, and as regards to infection prevention we specialise in the field of patient and equipment drapes.



Do you believe that the local authorities are conscious of the importance of R&D in the economy?

Local authorities are conscious of the importance of R&D in the economy; they are well aware that R&D enhances productivity and in return this drives economic growth. Other salient points known by the local authorities, are, that through R&D, Malta keeps abreast with international competition, introduces new technologies, and will also support high value jobs. So I believe that all incentive schemes related to R&D issued by the local authorities are all justified.



Do you plan to expand in the R&D field in the medium to long term?

We have just started off in Malta and as a starter we have a headcount and a laboratory with testing equipment. Once the return value on the R&D projects that have been initialised last year would be evaluated, we will expand further in the R&D field.

The quicker Malta gets into the R&D field, in various sectors, the better it is to gain more experience. Whether bad or good, experience will help us to define and understand the advantages of R&D. To get a part of the market share we have to move forward in this field, without forgetting the term “velocity”.