Message from the CEO

Dear 

It has been another big month at MTPConnect, with our team travelling across Australia and Europe making strong connections with a variety of important players in the sector. 

We have been engaging with Government on a number of levels, providing feedback from and representing the sector in discussions with Minister Greg Hunt and the department on the independent R&D Tax Incentive Review, the innovation review for the Office of Innovation and Science Australia, the TGA on the medtech regulatory reform implementation plan for accelerated assessment priority review and conformity assessment bodies, and the Department of Health on our Sector Competitiveness Plan. We also participated in a roundtable with Minister Hunt discussing the establishment of the University of Newcastle’s Central Coast Medical School at Gosford the and Central Coast Health and Medical Research Institute.

At BIO-Europe in Cologne and the TCI Network Annual Conference in Eindhoven we met with international stakeholders (pictured above with the TCI board), led a roundtable at the Australian Embassy in Berlin to showcase Australia’s capability including in clinical trials, and presented at the Korea-Australia delegation Austrade lunch on the world class infrastructure Australia has to offer. We held sessions and presented at the National Innovation Science Agenda, regenerative medicines, and building better links between industry and academia at Australia’s leading MTP conference, International BioFest/AusBiotech 2016. We participated on a panel at the Science Meets Business conference in Melbourne, and signed an MoU with AusBiotech to work together in undertaking activities to accelerate the growth of the MTP sector in Australia. 

Since the announcement of the MTPConnect Project Fund Program recipients last month, we have conducted a clinical trial roundtable, consulting with 50 key players in the sector to develop a project through the Program that will strengthen the clinical trials landscape in Australia – stay tuned for an announcement on this soon. We are also working on an independent report on the benefits of harmonising clinical trials and welcome engagement from the sector. 

Importantly, I would like to thank all of you for your vital feedback on our Draft 10-year Sector Competitiveness Plan. After extensive consultation, the plan is being updated and will be released in December – we look forward to working closely with the sector on its implementation.

Kind regards,

Sue MacLeman
CEO and Managing Director of MTPConnect

MTPConnect and sector news

Leading MTP organisations sign MoU to benefit sector through collaboration

MTPConnect and AusBiotech have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together in undertaking activities to accelerate the growth of the medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector in Australia. Read more >>

IMNIS wins national collaboration award

The IMNIS mentoring scheme – a recipient of the MTPConnect Project Fund Program – has won the 2016 Best Higher Education and Training Collaboration Award at the Business/Higher Education Round Table (B/HERT) national awards. Read more >>

Applications open for Australia-ASEAN Emerging Leaders Program 2017

The Australia-ASEAN Emerging Leaders Program (A2ELP) brings together ten social entrepreneurs from South-East Asia and five from Australia to incubate new projects and meaningful professional connections across the region. Read more >>

Federal Government launches Global Innovation Strategy to support growth

The Global Innovation Strategy, under the National Innovation and Science Agenda, has been launched by Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, the Hon Greg Hunt, developed as the key international measure of the Agenda to help Australia compete on an international level through innovation and science engagement activities. Read more >>

Events

Medtech Mingle Melbourne – Student Speed Dating
24 November 2016 | 5:30pm - 8:30pm | RMIT, Melbourne, VIC | Free

This Thursday at RMIT in Melbourne join us at Medtech & Biotech Mingle Melbourne, a special networking session for innovative​medtech, pharma, health & biotech businesses to meet university students looking for potential work opportunities over summer or early next year.

Whether you need someone for a one-off project or in an ongoing role, this is a chance to meet some of Victoria's brightest students in a low-key but fun-filled, fast-paced environment, and see if they could be a good fit for your company.  Book now>>

Building Connections: How MTPConnect can help
30 November 2016 | 3:30pm - 4:45pm | TRI, Woolloongabba, QLD | Free

Are you looking for opportunities to bring your research to commercial viability? The Translational Research Institute (TRI) and the Queensland Government invite you to hear from MTPConnect about the opportunities we offer for fostering the connections and collaborations needed to facilitate the translation of research and drive commercial success.

The event will be chaired by Professor Ian Frazer, and include speakers from MTPConnect and other industry experts. Book now>>

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.