Fueling the APAC Medtech Innovation Engine: An Ecosystem Investment

In this article I explore why early-stage medtech innovation across Asia-Pacific is losing momentum and what it will take to restart the engine. Venture-financing and M&A values have already fallen 22 % and 37 % since their 2021 peak, as inflation, supply-chain shocks and tougher regulations squeeze young companies. Today the region’s innovation ecosystem scores just 2 / 5 for maturity—far behind the U.S.—highlighting an urgent need for coordinated action. I outline a stakeholder playbook: regulators should fast-track high-need devices and link approval to reimbursement; governments must pair nimble grants with tax and talent incentives; universities and accelerators need IP-friendly labs and commercial training; and large medtechs plus family offices must open clearer capital and exit routes. If these moves align, confidence could climb to 3.9 within five years, turning APAC from an innovation risk zone into a global growth hub.