iSight - Making medtech investments grow

3i is adding a number of deals to its growing MedTech portfolio - a sector which will be a key focus for the company going forward.

From the perspective of emerging MedTech companies, 3i has a lot to offer. On top of our established track record in healthcare investment on both sides of the Atlantic – a vital consideration in a market so dominated by US buyers and sales channels - 3i has already built up a substantial body of expertise in different MedTech areas. These include oncology, orthopedics, cardiology, gastroenterology, radiology and aesthetics to name a few. Such niche expertise is important in a sector with such a broad coverage as MedTech, and we plan to add to the range of MedTech activities we can support as we continue to recruit experienced investors, Entrepreneurs in Residence and advisory board members.

For our part, we believe that MedTech offers the same potential for growth as other life science markets, but in a shorter timeframe. Whereas an investment in pharmaceuticals or bio-tech may typically show no evidence of return for between four or seven years, in the MedTech arena returns can be made in as little as two or three years. That is an attractive prospect for any investor, but at 3i we can give all our investments a better prospect of success by leveraging the knowledge and expertise of our internationally-based healthcare team to provide the company the help it needs to grow and win in its key markets.

Jo Taylor, managing partner 3i venture