INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Medical Device Manufacturers Council and the Indiana Health Industry Forum today introduced The MedTech/Life Sciences Policy Forum to state legislators. The new policy forum was introduced at an event held at Roche Diagnostics in Indianapolis and featured two panel discussions led by Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann and State Senator Brandt Hershman. Legislators also were given a hard-hat tour of Roche’s new Learning and Development Center, which is under construction on its northeast side campus.

Panelists contributing to the discussions were Teresa Lubbers, Indiana Commission for Higher Education; Steve Braun, Indiana Department of Workforce Development; Brad Bishop, OrthoWorx in Warsaw; David Broecker, Indiana Biosciences Research Institute; Kevin Brinegar, Indiana Chamber of Commerce; Tom Ryder, Genesis Plastics Welding; and Jennifer Zinn and Greta Clark, both from Roche Diagnostics.

The MedTech/Life Sciences Policy Forum is a series designed for members of the General Assembly that will focus on Indiana’s strengths in the sector as well as policy recommendations to help spawn a dynamic life sciences ecosystem in the state. Both the medical device and life science industries along with the health industry in Indiana have interests in the retention, growth and attraction of current and new businesses in these sectors.

The next Forum will be held in New Albany on Sept. 24, at the Purdue Technology Center.

The Forum will also hold meetings during Indiana’s legislative session to discuss legislation that may affect the medical device and life science industries.