From trials to transformation - Medtronic's increasing clinical footprint in Denmark
Denmark stands at the forefront of medical technology innovation in Europe, supported by a robust research infrastructure, a digitally advanced healthcare system, and a strong tradition of public-private collaboration. The Danish MedTech sector is known for its agility, high regulatory standards, and emphasis on digital health and patient-centred care. Medical devices can be introduced to the market based on CE marking, which certifies compliance with EU regulations such as the Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) and In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR). With over 1,000 MedTech companies from global leaders to innovative start-ups, Denmark offers a dynamic environment for clinical research and product development.
The country’s centralised health data registries and close integration between hospitals, universities, and industry create ideal conditions for real-world evidence utilisation and clinical trials. Government-backed initiatives further accelerate research in areas such as robotics, diagnostics, and chronic disease management.
This environment makes Denmark a strategic destination for multinational MedTech companies like Medtronic. Over the past decade, Medtronic has expanded its footprint in the country through several clinical trials, investigator-initiated studies, and collaborations with leading hospitals and academic institutions. These efforts not only contribute to scientific advancement and improved patient outcomes but also support Denmark’s broader ambitions as a global hub for life science innovation.
Medtronic’s Clinical Research Activities in Denmark
Medtronic is one of the world’s largest medical technology companies with operations in over 150 countries and a workforce of more than 90,000 employees. Medtronic has a long-standing legacy of pioneering medical breakthroughs, from the first battery-powered pacemaker to today’s AI-driven surgical systems and remote monitoring technologies. Throughout its history, the company has heavily invested in research and development, with today’s strong focus on evidence-based innovation, AI capabilities and global collaboration.
Medtronic’s presence in Denmark dates back to 1968. In the past decade alone, Medtronic has built a significant clinical research footprint in Denmark, conducting over 60 clinical trials and investigator-initiated studies across a diverse range of the company’s therapeutic portfolio, including cardiology, neurology, diabetes, and surgical innovations.
Since 2015, Danish hospitals have participated in 40 global Medtronic-sponsored clinical studies, consistently ranking among the top-performing countries for patient recruitment, data quality, and protocol adherence. Many of these studies have introduced cutting-edge technologies to Danish clinicians, significantly impacted local patient care and even influenced European treatment guidelines.
Example
The Medtronic WRAP-IT trial, which included physicians at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, demonstrated how antibacterial mesh envelopes could reduce infection rates in patients receiving cardiac implantable electronic devices. Denmark was a high patient enroller, contributing to outcomes that led to European guideline updates recommending these meshes for device implants. A few years later, a study co-authored by clinical stakeholders from several Danish university hospitals and Medtronic health economists showed cost-effectiveness when using the envelope for high-risk cardiac patients treated within the national healthcare system. This demonstrated how adoption of an innovative technology can be done with focus on patient selection and data analytics to ensure a cost-effective use of healthcare resources.
Example
The LOOP study was a large-scale, multi-centre clinical trial in Denmark investigating whether continuous heart rhythm monitoring using implantable loop recorders can help prevent strokes by detecting silent atrial fibrillation. With 6,000 participants and support from four major hospitals and multiple public and private funders - from the Innovation Fund Denmark to the Research Foundation for the Capital Region of Denmark and including Medtronic - the study exemplifies Denmark’s collaborative research environment. While the study led to a threefold increase in atrial fibrillation detection and anticoagulation use, it found no significant reduction in stroke risk in its general population, but it did show significant reductions in patient subgroups with multiple risk factors. These findings highlight the complexity of stroke prevention and offer valuable insights for future research and clinical decision-making.Outcome-Centered Procurement: The Way Forward
Value-based procurement enables healthcare systems to maximise the return on investment in medical technologies by rewarding solutions that measurably improve patient outcomes and care pathways. Rather than focusing solely on upfront costs, this approach considers the full patient journey including procedural efficiency, recovery time, and long-term health impact.
As part of Denmark’s commitment to healthcare innovation, the Danish Life Science Strategy (first published in 2021 and updated in 2024) allocates funding for the development of a national value-based procurement model. Medtronic contributed clinical and economic evidence to a prototype developed by a national consortium, comparing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). In this case, the prototype demonstrated that while TAVR carries a higher purchase cost, it delivers greater overall value when accounting for total procedural costs, hospital stay duration, adverse events, and other downstream factors - an example of how data-driven procurement can support both clinical and economic goals.
Innovation Partnerships: A Win-Win
In recent years, Medtronic’s clinical presence in Denmark has been strengthened by a network of public-private partnerships that foster innovation, accelerate research, and enhance patient care. Collaborations with leading Danish hospitals, universities, and national research institutions have enabled the co-development of technology pilots and data-driven healthcare solutions. These partnerships are often supported by national innovation programmes, creating shared value across sectors. For example, Medtronic has participated in co-funded initiatives focused on the application of advanced data modelling to elucidate patient outcomes, enhance capacity and resource allocation, and implement multi‑objective optimisation programs, areas aligned with Denmark’s strategic priorities in healthcare innovation.Example
Rigshospitalet collaborated with Medtronic Integrated Health Solutions to transform operations in its Heart Centre’s cath labs. Over five years, this partnership achieved over EUR 2 million in savings through optimised staffing, reduced waste, and streamlined processes. It introduced innovations like the CardioLounge for same-day patient discharge and implemented data-driven systems for better care delivery. The collaboration now focuses on leveraging digital innovation and advanced analytics to enhance patient outcomes.
“In Denmark, we see how health data, public-private partnerships, and leading clinical research accelerate progress from trials to transformation in the healthcare system - ensuring better outcomes for patients. Together with clinicians and policymakers, we co-create the future of healthcare, today and for generations to come.”
“Medtronic’s strong commitment to doing clinical research and developing public-private partnerships with the Danish healthcare system is a testament to Denmark’s life science sector, and to the Danish government’s continuous commitment to making Denmark one of the leading healthcare nations in the world.”
