Details on the September Executive Briefing coming soon.

RAMSEY, NJ, July 22—Medical device manufacturing industry professionals will gather Nov. 12-13 for the third Medical Product Outsourcing Symposium.

Maximizing the Outsourcing Experience: Efficient & Effective Practices for Medical Device Manufacturers is the theme for this fall’s event, which returns to the Conference Center at Waltham Woods in Waltham, MA. Sponsored by Medical Product Outsourcing magazine, the fastest-growing publication in medical technology manufacturing, the event brings together OEMs, contract manufacturers, suppliers, consultants and members of the financial community for a series of in-depth and interactive sessions geared toward the industry's specific needs.

Outsourcing relationships are critical to bringing new products to market and benefit medical device firms of all sizes. They are particularly valuable for small and midsize medical device firms launching new products and exploring new opportunities. Established organizations also must continue to learn and adapt as manufacturing needs change and firms are forced to maneuver through changing regulatory and market forces.

"The MPO Symposium is a unique opportunity for medical device professionals to make great strides in becoming more effective on strategic and operational levels," said Ben Dunn, managing director, Covington Associates, a Boston, MA-based investment banking firm specializing in healthcare. "It’s also a great forum for keeping up with changing outsourcing and manufacturing trends and networking with colleagues."

The first day kicks off with a keynote address by Amarpreet Sawhney, president and CEO of I-Therapeutix, Inc., a company focused on ophthalmic surgical wound closure technology and drug delivery. Previously, he was founder and CEO of Confluent Surgical, a biosurgery company acquired by Covidien. The title of his informative presentation is "The Changing Medical Device Landscape: Staying Innovative, Avoiding Pitfalls and Seizing Opportunities."

Other issues covered during the daylong program will include supplier integration issues; selecting an outsourcing vendor; how reimbursement can affect outsourcing providers; quality assurance in a changing FDA environment; an update on device industry trends; and outsourcing product development. A networking luncheon is included and a cocktail reception sponsored by Covidien wraps up the first day of the Symposium.

The second day—a half-day session—begins with a presentation on medical device manufacturing logistics and supply chain management, followed by strategic sourcing management practices. Both days will include networking breaks to meet and mingle with speakers, make new contacts, and interact with colleagues.

Other key speakers for the Medical Product Outsourcing Symposium include: Andrès Rochwerger, global sourcing manager-Contract Manufacturing, Boston Scientific; Nikki Willett, vice president of Marketing & Regulatory Products, Pilgrim Software; Rick Hoole, director, PRTM; Mary Walchack, manager, Reimbursement, BD; and Terry O'Hagan, director, Radius Product Development.

"Once again, the medical device industry’s heavy hitters—OEMs and their outsourcing partners will join us in Waltham for the Medical Product Outsourcing Symposium," said Howard Revitch, group publisher of Medical Product Outsourcing. "An in-depth and comprehensive agenda, along with an impressive list of engaging speakers and attendees, has been the cornerstone of our past events, and this year builds on that reputation for delivering invaluable content and contacts."

For more information on speakers, sponsors, the complete agenda, or to register, visit www.mposymposium.com or email howard@rodpub.com. About Medical Product Outsourcing With a BPA-certified circulation of more than 25,000 subscribers, Medical Product Outsourcing (www.mpo-mag.com) is the only worldwide publication devoted to the growing trend of medical device and in-vitro diagnostics outsource manufacturing. Since its inception in 2003, MPO has grown into a must-read for professionals who need to follow the latest industry trends and other developments pertinent to the contract manufacturer-OEM relationship.