Message from the CEO

Dear , 

In the week beginning 21st May, MTPConnect and Austrade hosted an inbound delegation of 18 of medical technology investors from China. We travelled with the investors in Sydney and Melbourne, with the trip including presentations from seven research groups and 18 companies, visits to world-class infrastructure such as the Synchrotron, attendance and meetings at the AusBiotech AusMedtech conference, and state and federal government briefings. It was a highly fruitful week, providing a fantastic opportunity for us to connect and collaborate to gain a deeper understanding of each other’s markets. We look forward to sharing investment outcomes from the visit in the near future.

There have been a number of major announcements over the past month, with the release of the 2017 Federal Budget, the Prosthesis List reform recommendations, $33 million announced for clinical trials, and reforms of the NHMRC medical research offerings. These have all been welcome announcements in the sector, and we commend the government for recognising the needs voiced and opportunities provided by our world-leading sector in Australia.  

In another announcement, I was honoured and humbled today to receive the 2017 BioMelbourne Network Women in Leadership Award, particularly when there are so many incredibly talented and supportive women in our sector. We have made great inroads in the sector over my 25 years of experience, and I am incredibly excited to see us go from strength to strength in the future. 

In the month ahead you will find us at BIO in the US, launching the programs of two of our fantastic Project Fund Program recipients, and speaking at a public sector executive briefing exploring Australia’s opportunities in the pharma sector. 

And be sure to keep your eye out for an email from us on the 2017 Project Fund Program in the next few weeks, for early access to the Expression of Interest form, an upcoming webinar, and an invitation to have a face-to-face meeting in each of the capital cities to help strengthen your application. Exciting times ahead!

Kind regards,
Sue MacLeman

CEO and Managing Director of MTPConnect

Pictured: BioMelbourne Network Women in Leadership Award  winners; Liz Williams, CSIRO; Dr Kerry Hegarty, University of Melbourne; and Sue MacLeman, MTPConnect

MTPConnect and industry news

Sue MacLeman receives BioMelbourne’s 2017 Women in Leadership Award
Sue MacLeman, Chief Executive Officer of MTPConnect, has been awarded BioMelbourne’s 2017 Women in Leadership award today, recognising her leadership and outstanding contributions to supporting the medtech, biotech and pharmaceutical (MTP) sector.  The award was presented by the Honourable Linda Dessau AM, Governor of Victoria, at the 9th Annual Connecting Women Lunch at Mural Hall. The event was attended by over 400 people including senior representatives from industry, government and academia who came together to support, inspire and encourage each other to strive for leadership roles in healthcare innovation. Read more the full announcement.

NHMRC updates grant offering to promote innovation and reduce burden
MTPConnect has welcomed the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) announcement of medical research reforms that will be set to encourage greater innovation and creativity as well as reduce burdens of the grant application process.

The reforms, set to come into place in late 2018 to early 2019, will allow for more high performing and innovative researchers at all stages of their career to apply for grants to support their work; will provide further security for researchers, with the introduction of five-year agendas that will also reduce the need to regularly re-apply for funding; and will foster greater collaboration through team diversity requirements. Read more.

Applications open for 19th CRC round
Applications are now open for industry-led proposals for the 19th Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) selection round. CRCs play an important role in bringing together business, researchers and research organisations from Australia and overseas, working closely with Industry Growth Centres such as MTPConnect to develop solutions for major industry issues. Read more.

$33m announced to support clinical trials
Health Minister Greg Hunt announced $33 million to fund world-leading medical research trials and fellowships, supporting doctors and scientists to uncover the next breakthrough and improve the health of Australians.

MTPConnect welcomes the announcement as an important boost for the development and support of the clinical trial landscape in Australia. The funding will provide doctors, nurses and medical researchers with necessary tools to test their research in a clinical environment while safely speeding up the process so research gains can be translated into better outcomes for patients sooner. Read more.

MTPConnect welcomes Prostheses List reform recommendations
The recently released Community Affairs Reference Committee report into “Price regulation associated with the Prostheses List Framework” provides 16 recommendations to reform the process, with the aim of addressing the identification of the Prostheses List’s contribution to the rising price of health insurance premiums. Read more.

Sector Snapshot

• CEO Sue MacLeman penned a blog on the importance of collaboration, tying into her involvement on the panel ‘Innovation and collaboration: what matters and what can be done?’ at CEDA State of the Nation 2017. 
• What makes Australia an attractive destination for clinical trials? Read Sue’s piece in Australasian Biotechnology magazine. 
• Check out some great coverage of the BioPen at BioFab3D@ACMD, a 2016 MTPConnect Project Fund Program recipient. 
• Congratulations to ATACAS on being named ACTA Clinical Trial of the Year.
• Adelaide's new proton therapy unit will also house clinical research, public health, and biotech/pharma SMEs.
• 61 new ARC Linkage Projects are set to receive an additional $22.2m for stronger partnerships between research & industry.

Opportunities

• Are you a medtech or digital health company looking for opportunities in India? Austrade is holding Business Week in India from 28th August and you have the chance to join the delegation, accompanied by Minister Ciobo, Minister for Trade and Investment and providing facilitated introductions. Contact Elizabeth Stares for more information. 
• Australian biomedical researchers are invited to apply for one of two CSL Centenary Fellowships each worth $1.25million over five years in support of discovery and translational medical research. Applications opened today for the 2018 Fellowship round. These Fellowships are offered to outstanding mid-career scientists seeking to undertake world-class medical research at an Australian academic institution.
• Applications are now open for the 2017 Australia-China Young Scientists Exchange Program.
• Applications are now open for the GSK 2017 Award for Research Excellence, with accompanying grant of $80,000.
• This year’s AusBiotech and Johnson & Johnson Industry Excellence Awards will recognise the highest achievers in the Australian life sciences.

Events

Advance Queensland: Insider's View of Innovation
8 June 2017, Brisbane, Australia

Join this breakfast event to hear from a panel of expert advisors from Advance Queensland and the Australian Government Entrepreneurs' Programme and get insight into how start-ups, researchers and organisations, including those from the biomedical industry, can access business advice and support.

The crisis in ageing - Technology to manage the challenges in healthcare
14 June 2017, Brisbane, Australia

This ATSE event will discuss how health technology can help Australia rise to the challenge of adapting to the ageing face of the nation, in order to mitigate issues of rising and shifting healthcare costs and needs.

Webinar Series: Social Media for Your Business
15 June 2017, Online

Take part in this Entrepreneurs’ Programme webinar to help businesses take advantage of social media channels to promote products or services and to communicate with customers.

South Australian Early Commercialisation Fund Roadshow
20 June 2017, Adelaide, Australia

TechInSA presents two South Australian Early Commercialisation Fund (SAECF) roadshows in May and June. To be held at the Manufacturing Technologies Centre at Mawson Lakes and at Tonsley, the events will outline and explain the grants program and give attendees the opportunity to ask questions relating to the program.

PharmaMedtech Stories - Join the Conversation!
20 June 2017, Online

The Department of Industry, Innovation and Science's Entrepreneurs' Programme present a panel seminar and Q&A session with key experts in the Biotech/Medtech/Pharma Sector for SMEs in the sector.

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

Case Study Showcase: Medical Device Partnering Program fosters sector-wide collaboration for commercialisation

The Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP) at Flinders University fosters collaborations between inventors, researchers, industry, manufacturers, end-users and government, to help develop cutting-edge medical devices.

The initiative was designed to foster collaboration between all relevant parties in developing new medical devices, streamlining the complex process of bringing new products to market, and creating new commercial opportunities for traditional local manufacturers.

Learn more about the MDPP and how you can be involved. 

Want to showcase your good news story? Email news@mtpconnect.org.au to submit a case study.

Sector profile: Asialink Business

As Australia’s National Centre for Asia Capability, Asialink Business provides tailored solutions to help businesses seize the potential of diverse Asian markets. The company equip organisations in all sectors to become Asia ready by developing the critical skills, knowledge and networks needed to engage with the complexities of the region. Grounded in extensive market research, the practical training programs, research, events and advocacy enable businesses to forge ahead with confidence to enter and grow in Asia. Learn more.

List your organisation on the MTPConnect Sector Directory.

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.