Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the current state of the medical device industry in China, particularly focusing on the impact of centralized procurement on the supply and development of innovative medical devices, especially vascular stents and surgical sutures. It highlights the challenges faced by domestic manufacturers in replacing imported products and the ongoing efforts to develop competitive alternatives. Group 1: Medical Device Procurement and Supply - In the first half of the year, China approved 45 innovative medical device products, and the centralized procurement of peripheral vascular stents has been implemented in several provinces [1][3] - The procurement results show that the average price of stents has dropped by over 80%, with some prices falling to around 2,000 yuan, significantly impacting the supply of imported products [3][4] - The exit of major players like Gore from the market has led to supply shortages, particularly for small vascular stents, creating a gap that domestic manufacturers are trying to fill [3][4] Group 2: Challenges in Domestic Manufacturing - Domestic manufacturers are facing significant challenges in developing competitive products, particularly in the small vascular stent segment, where the technology and materials used in imported products are still superior [4][5] - The reliance on imported materials for manufacturing high-quality medical devices remains a bottleneck for domestic companies, despite some progress in clinical trials for alternative products [5][8] - The overall innovation ecosystem in China is still developing, with a need for better policy support and risk management to foster growth in the medical device sector [5][6] Group 3: Specific Medical Device Segments - The heart surgery segment has seen some domestic alternatives, but critical areas such as non-absorbable sutures still lack suitable local replacements, posing risks in surgical outcomes [7][8] - Pediatric cardiac devices are particularly underserved, with most options still being imported due to the small market size and lack of incentive for domestic manufacturers to develop specialized products [8][9] - The mechanical heart valve market remains a significant gap for domestic manufacturers, with only a few international companies providing these products, highlighting the challenges in entering mature markets [9][10]
血管支架、心脏缝线仍被进口产品主导,国产医疗器械能否“吃下”巨大市场
第一财经·2025-07-14 02:03