17-Mar-17 The Malaysian Medical Device Agency has made public its plans to ratify the ASEAN Medical Device Directive, a framework intended to harmonize medical device regulations across 10 ASEAN member nations, in mid-2017. The agency has also announced its plans to undertake revisions of the country’s current medical device regulatory system in 2017. [image: Pacific Bridge Medical]

17-Mar-17 Japan's medical equipment makers are stepping up efforts in the Middle East, where their presence has been small but where they see significant growth potential. Fujifilm will deliver over 200 units of its X-ray system to public hospitals in Saudi Arabia by the end of Mar-17, while Olympus is planning to begin sales at its new headquarters in Dubai. [image: Nikkei Asian Review]

27-Feb-17 With an economic potential still largely untapped, the Greater Mekong Region should be front and center in the plans of any pharma, medical device or biotech organization looking to expand in Asia. Among the volatile and unpredictable emerging markets throughout Asia, Vietnam and Myanmar have shown strong growth in their economies and appetite for pharma and medical devices. [image: Life Science Leader]

24-Feb-17 BUPA Chile has entered into a cooperation agreement worth EUR8 mn with Siemens Healthineers in order to make advances in diagnostics in its business units, specifically in IntegraMédica medical centers, Clínica Bupa Santiago and its regional clinics. Siemens Healthineers will supply six MRIs, three CT scanners, one angiography system, 12 ultrasound units, several X-ray systems, and customised training. [image: The Register]

22-Feb-17 International Finance Corp, the investment arm of the World Bank, plans to invest up to USD60 mn in Indonesia-based IDS Medical Systems, the largest Southeast Asian medical device distributor and supply chain manager. The funding will help IDS complete a USD130 mn project and expand operations by growing in existing markets and selectively entering new markets in Asia. [image: IDS Medical Systems]