Medical Technology Event 2026: innovation throughout the entire chain

This year, the Medical Technology Event 2026 took place at the Van der Valk Hotel in Vianen. Healthcare professionals, developers, and specialists gathered to explore the latest developments in medical technology and discover how innovations can be implemented more quickly and effectively in healthcare settings.

This year, the event has expanded for the first time under the name Medical Technology, shifting the focus from purely medical electronics to the entire medical innovation chain. Visitors will discover how software, sensor technology, AI, photonics, and hardware converge in practical applications. The high level of interaction between startups, industry, and healthcare institutions is striking, as is the enthusiasm for multidisciplinary collaboration and scalable innovations that truly impact patient care.

Capricorn

Dr. Uri Ilan of the Princess Máxima Center will open the day and demonstrate how artificial intelligence helps pediatric oncologists with complex treatment decisions. With the AI tool Capricorn He searches millions of scientific publications and links them to anonymized patient data, allowing treatment options to be mapped out faster and more accurately. "AI doesn't replace the doctor, but it supports better and faster decision-making," Ilan emphasizes. The tool is now used worldwide and makes medical knowledge more accessible to oncologists worldwide.

Integrated photonics

Carol de Vries of PhotonDelta will introduce the audience to the world of integrated photonics, which uses light instead of electrons to create chips. Miniaturization and low energy requirements are giving rise to new applications, from point-of-care diagnostics to wearables. He will demonstrate how startups, knowledge institutions, and investments are collectively accelerating the transition from laboratory to patient, and how the technology is already impacting monitoring and analysis tools in healthcare.

An open ecosystem

Léon Kempeneers, Managing Director of Philips Benelux, sets the tone with an inspiring look at the future of MedTech in the Netherlands. He outlines how collaboration between industry, startups, healthcare institutions, and government is crucial to positioning the country as a globally leading MedTech ecosystem by 2035.

Kempeneers emphasizes that technology only has an impact if innovations are scalable and actually implemented in practice. Concrete examples such as regional command centers, a new generation of image-guided therapies, and autonomous MRIs demonstrate how innovation can contribute to accessible and affordable healthcare and economic growth. His message is hopeful: through consistent collaboration, smart choices, and an open ecosystem, the Netherlands can remain a leader and give startups the boost they need.

Tomorrow's care starts today

The common thread throughout the day is clear: technology and healthcare are inextricably linked. The event demonstrates how multidisciplinary collaboration has a tangible impact on patients, healthcare professionals, and the industry. The Medical Technology Event offers an inspiring glimpse into the future and demonstrates how science, technology, and entrepreneurship converge to shape the healthcare of tomorrow.