The UN Technology Bank, in collaboration with Medtronic and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), has released a new study examining the ways in which the medical technology sector can tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which account for more than 70% of global deaths.

Through in-depth fieldwork in Bangladesh and Rwanda, the study analyzed innovation culture, intellectual property (IP) frameworks, regulatory systems, financing, and policy environments to identify barriers and enablers of medtech development in least developed countries (LDCs). Using the triple helix model of innovation, the research assesses how public and private sector dynamics can support or hinder medtech innovation and access in LDCs, which comprise 1.1 billion of the approximately 8 billion people on the planet, or about 14% of the total population.

The report is the result of a collaborative research effort led by WIPO’s Global Health Unit, Global Challenges Division, in coordination with UN Technology Bank and Medtronic. The research and co-authorship were conducted by Neta Glaser, Siddhartha Prakash, Eva Bishwal, and Gabriela de Obarrio from WIPO.

Focus on Medtech for LDCs

The study specifically focuses on advanced medical devices, exploring the IP and innovation ecosystems necessary to foster medtech’s growth and access in LDCs. Systematic analysis shows that certain NCDs such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases, are more prevalent in LDCs, while detection, management, and treatment options remain limited.

Medtech solutions, ranging from insulin pumps and pacemakers to CT and MRI scanners, are often scarce or inaccessible in LDCs. Identifying and addressing the challenges limiting medtech innovation and access is therefore critical to improving healthcare outcomes.

The study identifies barriers and enablers across multiple areas:

• Intellectual Property: Many LDCs are strengthening their IP systems, but limited resources, lack of awareness among local innovators, and challenges in IP enforcement remain obstacles. Training and collaboration between WIPO, governments, and innovators can help strengthen IP ecosystems and support innovation.
• Regulatory Systems: Regulatory frameworks in LDCs are often less mature, creating challenges for product approval and market entry. Regulatory harmonization and reliance can accelerate approvals while ensuring safety and quality.
• Financing: Access to early-stage investment remains a challenge for local innovators, while international investors may perceive LDC markets as high-risk. Policy interventions, government incentives, and innovative market strategies can help attract investment and support sustainable growth.
• Training and Skills Development: Medtech adoption relies on a skilled workforce, including engineers, technicians, and healthcare practitioners. Investments in education, targeted training programs, and infrastructure improvements are essential for developing local capacity and supporting technology adoption.

The report draws on case studies in Bangladesh and Rwanda to illustrate ground-level realities, highlighting both challenges and opportunities in building a resilient medtech ecosystem in LDCs. The
case study countries were chosen based on several criteria, including their location in regions with a high concentration of LDCs so that lessons learned could be more easily transferrable and applicable to neighboring LDCs. Most LDCs are in Africa (32 of 44) and Asia (eight of 44). Selected countries also needed to commit to developing their healthcare innovation and access ecosystems and to already have some existing medtech industry present. Based on these criteria, the study orchestrators selected Bangladesh and Rwanda.

This research provides actionable insights for policymakers, innovators, investors, and development partners seeking to expand access to medtech solutions in LDCs, ultimately improving health outcomes for populations most in need.

Unlike their counterparts in higher-resource settings, people living in LDCs often do not have access to medtech solutions. In order to ensure that patients in LDCs receive the care they need, it is crucial to identify and overcome challenges currently limiting medtech innovation and access in these countries,” the report stated.