Message from the CEO

Dear , 

With the presentation of the MTPConnect 10-year Sector Competitiveness Plan in January, we have launched into action continuing our high level engagements with government, industry and the wider sector to drive activities that will ensure the steady growth of the medtech, biotech and pharmaceutical (MTP) sector in Australia.

The recipients of the MTPConnect Project Fund Program have begun to make good headway, with projects such as the national rollout of the MTP focused Industry Mentoring Network in STEM ( IMNIS) and the Bridge Program, which aims to transfer practical skills on pharmaceutical commercialisation, conducting initial workshops and appointing dedicated staff.

The AusBiotech Asian Investment Series kicks off this month, connecting life science investors with biotech and medtech innovators to discuss investment and partnerships – find out about exciting opportunities to be involved below. Be sure to chat with MTPConnect’s General Manager of Stakeholder Engagement, Dr Alfredo Martinez-Coll, who will be available at each of the sessions.

Recent government announcements include Minister Arthur Sinodinos being appointed to lead the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, with Minister Greg Hunt taking charge of the Department of Health; the Innovation and Science Australia Performance Review confirming the strength of our research environments as well as the need for greater industry involvement and commercialisation know-how; and the Chief Economist’s Australian Industry Report, discussing the challenges and opportunities faced by Australian industry and how the Industry Growth Centres, including MTPConnect, are working to improve growth.

We have recently heard concerns from members of the sector around Tax Payer Alert claiming the R&D Tax Incentive for Software Development activities distributed last week stating that testing activities weren’t eligible R&D. We would like to reassure you that there was a syntax error with the alert and that it was reissued on Friday. The updated communications, consistent with guidance available on business.gov.au , clarified that there were no changes to the law, that testing is not core R&D because it doesn’t involve experimentation, but it could be supporting R&D, and therefore, may in fact be eligible. MTPConnect is always here to help in cases like this, and we encourage you to be in touch if you have concerns regarding issues that might affect you or the sector.

We are delighted to congratulate the 17 CRC-Projects announced to receive $34.5 million to support problem solving through short-term industry-led collaborations, with MTP projects including development of personalised sleep apnoea therapy, and the industrialisation of a novel diagnostic biosensor for bladder cancer. 

With the new year well and truly in full swing, we are excited to continue connecting with the sector, collaborating with organisations such MTAA, AAMRI and CSIRO, being a conduit to government, and delivering activities to unite and strengthen the Australian MTP ecosystem.

Kind regards,
Sue MacLeman

CEO and Managing Director of MTPConnect

MTPConnect and sector news

AusBiotech Asian Investment Series: Call for Companies 
Is your company looking for investment capital? Don’t miss this unique opportunity to get in front of life science investors in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

MTPConnect is partnering with AusBiotech for their Global Investment Series, providing assistance to the Australian companies participating.

If you have not done so already, we encourage you to register and to be part of the Australian contingent – a number of spots are left for companies to attend the Shanghai event, where over 70 investors have already registered, keen to learn about Australian companies and their offerings. 

Each event will run a full day of program on the first day of the event, with the second day to be dedicated to meetings between companies and potential investors and partners.

If you are interested in presenting on the program, please contact the AusBiotech events team on events@ausbiotech.org or call Amelia Lundstrom, Investment Events Manager, on +61 3 9828 1435.​

Call for Medical Countermeasures Industry and Academic Project Collaborations
The Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC) is a not for profit collaborative venture that brings together defence industry, universities and government research agencies to develop technologies that will enhance Australia’s defence and national security capability. The Medical Countermeasures (MCM) activity being hosted by the DMTC is focused on vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for the protection of military and civilian personnel against Chemical Biological and Radiological (CBR) threats, emerging infectious diseases and pandemics. 

On March 3rd the DMTC will be releasing a call for Expressions of Interest for collaborative projects in three priority areas (1) Point of Care Diagnostics (2) Antimicrobial Resistance and (3) security Sensitive Biological Agents. The proposed projects must have a minimum of one industry partner and one academic partner, aiming for the translation of technology, and must be at or above the non-clinical/preclinical phase of development for vaccines and therapeutics; and a prototype for diagnostics. 

Visit www.dmtc.com.au for more information or contact Felicia Pradera, Program Leader – Medical Countermeasures, via felicia.pradera@dmtc.com.au. 

Take part in the future of Sydney’s startup community
A strong and concentrated startup community is essential for creating the jobs of tomorrow. Jobs for NSW have recently launched an exciting opportunity, calling for EOIs to establish the Sydney Startup Hub: a single site based in Sydney’s CBD where incubators, accelerators and other partnering services can come together to create a high-density startup cluster. 

For more information visit the NSW Government's eTendering site and email eoi@jobsfornsw.com.au to register your interest.

Entries for the 2017 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes now open
Presented annually, the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes reward excellence in the fields of research & innovation, leadership, science engagement and school science, with MTPConnect CEO Sue MacLeman joining the 2017 judging panel. There are 15 prizes on offer rewarding excellence in the fields of research & innovation; leadership; science engagement; and school science, including the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research and the Johnson & Johnson Eureka Prize for Innovation in Medical Research. To view the complete list, go to eureka-entry.australianmuseum.net.au.

Entries close 7pm AEST Friday 5 May. Have a question? Check out the FAQs , or contact the Eureka Prizes team at eureka@austmus.gov.au or on (02) 9320 6230.

Events

Australia Unlimited MENA 2017 Innovation in Healthcare Research
11 March –19 March 2017 | Tehran, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Kuwait City, United Arab Emirates

Austrade invites you to participate in the Australian Government’s fifth annual regional campaign, Australia Unlimited MENA 2017. The MENA healthcare market is projected to reach US$144 billion by 2020. GCC governments are committing significant funds as well as encouraging private sector participation to build new healthcare facilities, upgrade existing infrastructure, globally engage in relevant research and improve quality of healthcare services. Read more>>

AusBiotech Global Investment Series
21 March –28 March 2017 | Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai

The AusBiotech Global Investment Event Series will connect life science investors with biotech and medtech innovators from across the globe to discuss investment and partnership opportunities. Read more>>

The Tech Transfer Summit
27 April –28 April 2017 | Brisbane, Australia

MTPConnect is a proud sponsor of the AusBiotech Tech Transfer Summit, promoting research commercialisation in Australia’s life science sector, and offering delegates exclusive access to world-class science and strengthening connections between researchers and industry. Part of a global initiative designed to help build expertise and relationships, the Tech Transfer Summit enables successful tech transfer officers to sign deals and licensing agreements. Read more>>

Get involved—To see what industry events are happening near you, check out our events page.

Are you are hosting an event? Share your events with the MTP sector by emailing: news@mtpconnect.org.au

mtpconnect.org.au

Have you visited the MTPConnect website? Our mission is to build on the sector's achievements and collaborate to boost the innovation, productivity and competitiveness  and we hope you will help us by joining our network online.

On our website, you will get:
·    Early access to industry insights and information
·   Industry news, briefings and events
·   Opportunities to provide input on the strategic direction of the MTP sector
·   Opportunities for cross-sector collaboration

Head to our website now to sign up as an MTPConnect Network Associate.