KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Structured publication planning is no longer optional in MedTech—it’s a regulatory, clinical, and commercial imperative.
• Pharma-derived models need to be adapted to suit the realities of device, diagnostic, and software-based innovations.
• ISMPP offers cost-effective, flexible tools to upskill teams and foster peer learning—especially where internal capacity is limited.
•  Companies that commit to educating their staff on the foundations of publication planning can gain visibility, credibility, and strategic advantage.
• Partnering with publication professionals and/or agencies allows companies to implement strong publication practices now, while building internal knowledge and capacity for the future.

Introduction: MedTech at a crossroads

The medical technology (MedTech) sector is evolving rapidly, the result of both design innovations and increasing regulatory requirements. These dual trends have transformed nearly all areas of the industry, which spans surgical devices, diagnostics, digital health platforms, and increasingly, software and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools.

Yet there’s one area where MedTech appears to remain more static: publication practices. This isn’t due to any inherent limitations within the industry, but rather because most MedTech companies—especially small to mid-sized ones—simply lack the internal infrastructure to support strategic, consistent publication planning and execution.

As outlined in a previous article focused on small pharma and biotech companies, the International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP) plays an essential role in equipping publication professionals with the tools and community they need to stay ahead. That same opportunity—and urgency—now applies to MedTech.

“There is growing recognition that MedTech products bring enormous value to healthcare, and with that has come increasing scrutiny. To keep pace, companies must apply the same innovative spirit to publication practices as they do to product development. Those that invest in building publication planning knowledge and resources now can set the standard for the field going forward.”
– John Watson, The Manuscript Agent

The publication planning gap in MedTech

Unlike the pharmaceutical sector, many MedTech companies don’t have dedicated publication teams. Instead, evidence dissemination responsibilities often fall to medical affairs or regulatory staff juggling multiple roles. Although at odds with good publication practice, and because of the unique MedTech environment, commercial roles are sometimes involved as well. As a result, publication efforts may be reactive—tied solely to product launches or regulatory milestones—and lack long-term strategic vision. When publication plans exist, they are often developed without input from all relevant stakeholders, potentially resulting in redundancies or even conflicting messages.

Adding to the complexity, traditional pharma-derived publication models don’t map neatly onto MedTech lifecycles. MedTech products tend to iterate faster, making it harder to generate long-term evidence. Whereas pharma hinges on large randomized controlled trials, MedTech evidence generation more often depends on an array of smaller studies, retrospective analyses, registries, and other pragmatic data sources that balance scientific rigor with cost constraints. These differences can be especially challenging for smaller companies with limited bandwidth for structured publication planning.

A survey conducted by the ISMPP Small Companies Education Committee found that professionals in small and device-focused companies cite lack of time, training, and structured guidance as top barriers to publication planning. (1)

Regulatory and market pressures are rising

Regulatory requirements facing the industry have intensified, particularly with the implementation of the European Medical Devices Regulation (EU MDR). Where companies were once able to rely on data with comparable devices, they now must provide robust clinical evidence with their own technologies. This shift has also increased scrutiny of post-market surveillance, safety reporting, and health economic data from regulators, payers, and clinicians.

Meanwhile, the MedTech industry is innovating at an accelerated pace. The number of FDA-cleared AI and machine learning-enabled devices surpassed 1,000 in 2024, with software-based tools leading the charge. These novel products raise complex new questions around algorithm transparency and evidence generation, placing further emphasis on the need for timely, well-structured publications.

In short, MedTech companies face an unprecedented imperative to generate and communicate high-quality data on their products. Just as they have innovated with their products, so too must they adopt strategies for successful evidence dissemination.

Whether launching a Class III implant or a Class I digital tool, companies must demonstrate credibility—and transparent, peer-reviewed publications remain the most effective way to do so. By strengthening their foundational knowledge around publication planning now, MedTech teams can do more than keep pace with change—they can lead it.

What MedTech can gain from stronger publication planning

Publication planning is not just about compliance; it’s a strategic investment in building credibility, commercial success, and trust. With even modest investments, MedTech companies can:

• ensure clinical evidence is disseminated through credible, peer-reviewed channels
• boost HCP confidence and product adoption
• build long-term visibility for products and platforms
• support regulatory and reimbursement submissions.

Better publication planning strengthens the story around a product and helps ensure that story is heard.

Building skills and capacity: how ISMPP can help

ISMPP offers education and training especially relevant to those navigating the complexity of MedTech communications. For companies without formal training programmes or clear internal publication processes, ISMPP serves as a practical partner and knowledge hub.

Members benefit from:

• training on Good Publications Practice (GPP 2022)
• guidance on authorship, transparency, and AI use in writing
• access to ISMPP U webinars, podcasts, and the CMPP certification
• peer connection via ISMPP Connect, which includes professionals working in diagnostics, devices, and software settings.

ISMPP’s Certified Medical Publication Professional (CMPP) credential is recognized globally and is increasingly valued by employers and partners in the MedTech sector.

Partnering with experts: agency support for publications

MedTech companies aren’t on this journey alone: many choose to partner with medical communications agencies who bring expertise, familiarity with compliant publication processes, and therapeutic area knowledge—without requiring additional internal hires.

This hybrid model works especially well when:

• teams are stretched thin
• publication needs must scale quickly
• expertise in regulatory-driven publication formats is lacking.

Strategic partnerships allow even smaller companies to produce high-quality, compliant publications that support key business objectives.

This article was developed on behalf of the ISMPP Small Companies Outreach Committee by John Watson (The Manuscript Agent), Tony Ferrar (Porterhouse Medical), and Anne-Clare Wadsworth (Amica Scientific). Please note, the authors used ChatGPT-4o (OpenAI) to support the collation of resources and to generate an initial outline and draft of the manuscript. The authors reviewed, edited, and take full responsibility for all subsequent content and the final submitted version.

References

(1) Carroll L, Duggan S, Sweetlove M, Gor V, Kelley D, Pinkham L, Piano CA. Identifying processes and challenges in medical publication planning and execution for small biopharmaceutical companies. Presented at: International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP) Annual Meeting; 12–14 May 2025; Washington, DC

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The challenges faced by small pharma and biotech companies are different to those faced by larger organisations.
• The network, support, and resources offered by ISMPP membership are invaluable for professionals in small pharma and biotech companies.

In the vast expanse of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, professionals in small companies often navigate a unique set of challenges that set them apart from their counterparts in larger entities. With limited resources and often limited experience, they grapple with making significant impacts while ensuring compliance with best practices and adopting innovations in scientific communication. As a member centred association, the International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP) well understands such barriers and acts as a source of guidance and information, helping these professionals connect with a community where they can learn from, and collaborate with, their peers.

Small pharma and biotech companies are hubs of innovation and creativity; however, the people who work in them encounter distinct challenges. For those new to publication management, the transition from academia or a shift from a different career path can be daunting without a structured onboarding process or access to tailored educational materials. Senior staff, on the other hand, often bear the weight of broader responsibilities and important decision making without the extensive functional teams found in larger organisations. These challenges are compounded by the fast paced nature of the industry, where staying abreast of the latest scientific communication practices is crucial yet time consuming

ISMPP stands out as a pivotal resource for these individuals, offering a rich tapestry of educational resources, networking opportunities, and professional development programmes specifically designed to address the needs of – and overcome the obstacles faced by – small pharma and biotech professionals, including:

• the recently launched ISMPP Academy meeting, established to fulfil the educational needs of those working in small pharma and biotech companies, as well as newer professionals, to be held 5–6 November 2024, in Philadelphia. Registration opens this summer!
• popular ISMPP University (ISMPP U) webinars, held monthly, cover timely and relevant medical publication and communication topics and trends
• online resources, podcasts, and newsletter articles that offer information about numerous topics, such as Good Publication Practice (GPP 2022) guidelines, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field, among many others
• the opportunity to earn the ISMPP Certified Medical Publication Professional (CMPP) credential, sought after by many hiring employers in the industry.

“Working in the ever evolving world of medical and scientific publications, ISMPP has always supported me with up-to-date guidance and access to a network of peers navigating similar challenges. As I continue in my career, with ISMPP I never stop learning” – Tim Collinson, Senior Director, Global Medical & Scientific Communications at a mid-sized pharmaceutical company

Equally important, ISMPP has created a dedicated interactive online community for its members where professionals from small pharma and biotech companies can meet peers, ask questions, share insights and experiences, and discuss best practices. This collaborative environment not only engenders a sense of belonging, but also propels innovation, elevates the standards of scientific communication within the industry, and fills a peer-to-peer gap that many experience within small companies.

“ISMPP has become my go-to resource for most publication related questions. Beyond the educational offerings, I find the member forum particularly helpful for getting input from peers on how to professionally and compliantly handle tricky situations that may come up in our day-to-day. ISMPP gives me access to a wealth of expertise that goes way beyond my immediate team, which has helped me tremendously in implementing effective publication strategies at my company” – Tina Schlafly, PhD, CMPP, Director, Scientific Publications at Corcept Therapeutics, Inc

Beyond facilitating best practices, community, and professional development, ISMPP plays a crucial role in ensuring professionals in companies of all sizes are equipped to manage upcoming challenges. This has been recently evidenced by ISMPP’s amplifying debate around two distinct issues: patient engagement and AI. The impact of both is revolutionary, and ISMPP has responded with clear and balanced guidance to members through webinars, articles, position papers, and published work.

As the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors forge ahead and the environment continues to rapidly evolve, the support and resources provided by ISMPP will remain invaluable for professionals in smaller pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostic and biotech companies. In conclusion, the unique challenges faced by professionals in small pharma and biotech companies call for a unique solution. ISMPP offers just that—a community dedicated to professional growth, innovation, and excellence in scientific communication. Joining ISMPP as a member is a step forward in one’s career; it is also taking a leap towards making a lasting impact in the industry.

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