Message from the CEO

Dear , 

We are delighted to announce that MTPConnect will be allocating $8.2 million in Project Fund Program funding over the next two years, supporting industry-led projects to boost the sector within Australia. We are looking for your big bold ideas to address sector constraints and barriers. Expressions of Interest will open on 3rd July 2017 – see more details below. 

April has seen the MTPConnect team making important inroads overseas, with General Manager International and Government Sandhya Tewari’s visit to India coinciding with the Prime Minister's visit and Education Minister Simon Birmingham's Skills Delegation, and my own trips to Bio Korea, to Japan with Minister Ciobo’s Regenerative Medicine delegation, and the Chief Scientist’s Innovation Delegation to Europe.

It is always a privilege to be part of their important delegations. In Japan we saw solid progress between FIRM and the regenerative sector in Australia and got the opportunity to showcase the ecosystem in Australia and also showcase our countries capability in clinical trials. In Europe we got to see some of the big ideas and strategies in innovation policy and support in Germany, Switzerland and France. R&D is seen as a central competitive advantage for the industries in these countries and is given continuous strategic support. This leads to sector success with long-term and stable policy frameworks and investments by the federal government, state governments and major private foundations driving competitiveness and productivity. It is great to see how well and positively Australia is represented in these countries, and the terrific work Austrade is undertaking to support our companies.  

This month we also saw the release of a report from IP Australia, A Patent Analytics Study on the Australian Advanced Manufacturing Industry, including medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Pleasingly we are seeing data in this report that challenges the often cited OECD statistics re Australia’s ranking. I think it is time to revisit this conversation and make sure all our efforts are effectively captured and showcased.  

The 2017 AusBiotech Biotechnology Industry Position Survey was announced this week boasting the strongest year on record for the Australian sector. This is wonderful news, and we hope that through ongoing sector collaboration, training, and improved commercialisation that together we will ensure the continued growth and development of the Australian sector. 

Kind regards,
Sue MacLeman

CEO and Managing Director of MTPConnect

MTPConnect and industry news

The MTPConnect Project Fund Program – EOIs open 3rd July 2017 
Expressions of Interest for the second round of the MTPConnect Project Fund program will open on 3rd July 2017, providing $8.2 million funding to be at least dollar-for-dollar matched by consortia including a range of representatives from the diverse MTP sector. The Project Fund Program aims to assist in resolving constraints and barriers in the MTP sector, in alignment with the seven Sector Growth Priorities outlined in the MTPConnect Sector Competitiveness Plan. Read the full 2017 Project announcement.

Expressions of interest will open Monday July 3rd, and we will be providing guidelines and events in the lead-up to assist applicants in creating a powerful application so that together we can be the change that is needed to ensure continued growth and innovation in a sector that can ensure the health of Australians into the future.

If you have any questions on the Project Fund Program please contact Director – Major Projects, Elizabeth Stares and be sure to follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn for regular updates.

$18 billion and 28,000 new jobs: CSIRO’s MTP Roadmap 
CSIRO has revealed a blueprint for how medical technologies and pharmaceuticals (MTP) can add an additional $18 billion to the Australian economy and create 28,000 new jobs within the next eight years. The Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Roadmap, sets out a path for Australia to become an important player in the MTP sector, which is expected to grow to almost $3 trillion globally by 2025. The roadmap was written in collaboration with industry, government and researchers. Read more.

National Initiative to Support Digital Disruption in Healthcare
Companies looking to improve health outcomes for patients via novel digital and connected medical technologies now have a new organisation to turn to with the launch of ANDHealth – a national initiative funded through the MTPConnect Project Fund Program.

Established by a consortium of commercial partners, led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, and supported by Federal Government’s Medical Technologies and Pharmaceutical Industry Growth Centre, MTPConnect, ANDHealth has been created to facilitate and support the development and commercialisation of clinically validated digital health technologies across Australia. Learn more.

IMNIS Appoints Expert Advisory Panel
IMNIS, the national mentoring program connecting researchers and industry mentors, has appointed an Expert Advisory Panel of senior business and academic leaders to advise on implementation of the scheme. The initiative has received funding as part of the MTPConnect Project Fund Program.

The Panel will be chaired by Ms Ronnie Wood, a founding director of IMNIS, who has a career in education and training spanning four decades. Qualified in economics and education, Ms Wood taught mathematics at public and private high schools in Australia, before moving into the corporate training and education. Learn more.

Blog: Strengthening Health Ties with India
MTPConnect General Manager of International and Government, Dr Sandhya Tewari, visited India coinciding with the Prime Minister's April trip and Education Minister Simon Birmingham's Skills Delegation. Her most recent blog touches on the Australian MoU with India on health, projects announced as part of the 10th anniversary of the Australia India Strategic Research fund, and a new India Economic Strategy to drive collaboration. Read the blog on our website.

Final chance: EOIs closing soon for research translation and commercialisation training Expressions of interest take part in The Bridge Program are closing on 12th May! The program provides face-to-face and online training in the scientific, legal, financial, clinical, regulatory and reimbursement disciplines that contribute to research translation and the commercialisation of medicines.

As part of the MTPConnect Project Fund Program, The Bridge Program—involving a consortium of 14 pharmaceutical companies, universities and industry associations—will select 100 participants annually from across Australia to take part in the first round of the training program, with participants also benefitting from direct exposure to networking opportunities with top pharmaceutical companies operating globally. Find out more. 

April Snapshot

• Are you a researcher or business? Check out a great opportunity to take part in CCRM training programs and internships in the regenerative medicine sector. 
• The Australian Cyber Security Growth Network launched their Sector Competitiveness Plan last month, outlining their aim to triple the cyber security sector by 2026. 
• Six new CSIRO Future Science Platforms will underpin innovation in areas including health and biology to support the reinvention and creation of new industries and new jobs for Australia.
• BioCurate, an $80m joint venture of Monash University and the University of Melbourne, has announced Dr C. Glenn Begley as inaugural CEO.  
• Cell Therapies has received $1,000,000 to develop a new approach to cancer treatment via the Global Innovation Linkages program.

Events

Australian MedTech Innovation - The Clinical Research Landscape
11 May 2017, Sydney, Australia

This full day forum will provide an update of ongoing reforms in clinical trials research, its implementation progress, roadblocks and success seen thus far to inform whether the long term goal of leading the world in clinical trial research is attainable. In addition, clinical trials sponsors, start-ups companies and clinical researchers will have an opportunity to discuss and share their invaluable experience from years of conducting medical devices clinical trials in Australia.

MTPConnect CEO Sue MacLeman will providing an update on the value of clinical trials in Australia. Read more>>

Inaugural ANDHealth AusBiotech Digital Health summit
23 May 2017, Melbourne, Australia

ANDHealth - Australia’s national digital health integrator and accelerator, and recipient of the MTPConnect Project Fund Program - is running a one-day digital health summit in conjunction with AusBiotech. Join the community for excellent networking sessions, and hear practical information and insights from the leaders in digital health; investor perspectives; company success stories; regulatory information; and access to Australia’s leading digital health entrepreneurs. Read more>>

AusMedtech
24 – 25 May 2017, Melbourne, Australia

AusMedtech & the International Conference on Mechanics in Medicine and Biology (ICMMB) 2017, as Australia’s premier medical technology conference celebrates its 10th anniversary and will be co-presented with the International Conference on Mechanics in Medicine and Biology (ICMMB) for the first time.

The joint conference will bring together key stakeholders of the Australian and international medical devices and diagnostics sector to explore topics such as biomaterials, medical devices, assistive technologies for an ageing population, tissue engineering, 3D Printing and the mechanics of future medicine. 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

Case Study Showcase:
Exigence IT Infrastructure Solutions for MTP

Exigence IT is an IT service provider specialising in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and health sector, encompassing on-premise, cloud and hybrid systems, and providing the development, implementation and support of bespoke solutions, such as a secure, cloud-based, private data centre working space solution for the MTPConnect team.

Exigence IT was given a unique opportunity to design a greenfield IT infrastructure for MTPConnect. The requirements were different to the traditional head office and branch office model, as the MTPConnect’s offices are based in existing leased university facilities in three states, greatly limiting what equipment can be deployed. Installation of a traditional on-premise IT infrastructure that calls for a dedicated server room and the associated services is not possible.

Learn more about the challenges faced and outcome produced by Exigence IT.

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

Opportunities

Open for applications: Incubator Support initiative
The $23 million Incubator Support initiative is an element of the Entrepreneurs' Programme that is designed to improve the prospects of Australian startups. Applications are open to incubators on an ongoing basis for matched funding grants between $10,000 and $500,000. Learn more.

Sector profile: Design + Industry 

From a boat shed in Balmain, Design + Industry has grown into Australia's largest and leading design consultancy, based in Sydney & Melbourne. For over three decades the company has been at the forefront of design + innovation. They deliver commercial success by creating memorable products and meaningful user experiences. With an impressive portfolio of medical device development, D+I work with their clients from initial concept through to overseeing production and any stage in-between. They offer a full turn-key solution for medical device development. 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.