Contact: Matt Schutte, Director of Corporate Communications | 614-675-3686
Official position statement from BioOhio on the proposal to build a Medical Mart in downtown Cleveland. BioOhio is Ohio's bioscience membership and development organization, designed to promote and accelerate bioscience industry, research, and education in Ohio.

BioOhio President & CEO, Tony Dennis, PhD

“The Medical Mart concept is a unique opportunity to drive national recognition of the vibrant bioscience and biomedical business community in Northeast Ohio and, for that matter, throughout Ohio. The presence of the Medical Mart will amplify the message that northeast Ohio is a hub of bioscience business and innovation and will help attract interest in our homegrown industry. From research and innovation giants like The Cleveland Clinic, Case Western Reserve University, and the University Hospital System, to manufacturing leaders like STERIS, Invacare, and Philips Medical Systems, and hundreds of start-up and emerging companies, northeast Ohio is already a hotbed for medical technology. The Medical Mart is a natural extension of the region’s leadership in an industry that shows no signs of slowing down.

According to AdvaMed (Advanced Medical Technology Association), there are more than 6,000 medical technology companies in the U.S. alone, and an 80% increase in patents for breakthrough medical technologies in the last decade. Cleveland is both fortunate and deserving to be the preferred location for a Medical Mart. The growth and importance of the medical technology industry strongly suggests that other cities would relish the opportunity currently in Cleveland’s lap.

In addition to having a direct and immediate economic impact in northeast Ohio, the constant flow of medical professionals and bioscience company executives drawn to the conventions held in Cleveland will significantly enhance connections with influentials in the global biomedical business community. Not only will these connections help local medical technology companies, but they also will serve as a foundation for regional and state efforts to attract company relocations and expansions in northeast Ohio.