MTP Connection

Issue Two: 3 August 2016

Dear 

MTPConnect Project Fund Program

MTPConnect is charged with driving innovation and growth in the medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector.

With the sector on the cusp of realising its full commercial potential, MTPConnect is kick-starting collaborative, industry-led projects through a dollar-for-dollar matched Project Fund Program.

Over the next four years, we want to invest in big, bold ideas to improve the productivity, competitiveness and innovative capacity of the MTP sector. We want to deliver results on a national scale that have sector-wide impact, including for SMEs.

We are looking for consortia large and small to creatively address some of the barriers to growth, as outlined in our 10-year Sector Competitiveness Plan, to share in a funding pool of $15.6 million.

Expressions of Interest (EOI) in the form of 10-page proposals are sought by 31 August 2016 with funds granted 30 September 2016. This is your chance to collaborate and help take the MTP sector to the next level.

For more information, you can download the Project Guidelines and Expression of Interest form here:

Questions and EOI applications should be directed to:

Elizabeth Stares

Chief Operating Officer, MTPConnect

MTPConnect unveils 10-year sector plan

On Monday 25 July 2016, MTPConnect launched its Draft Sector Competitiveness Plan (Draft SCP), a 10-year strategic plan to boost the innovation, productivity and competitiveness of Australia’s medical technology, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical (MTP) sector.

By vigorously tackling barriers to success, through traditional and non-traditional means, MTPConnect is charged with driving the sector to new heights in the global market. The draft plan, created in consultation with the sector, identifies priority areas for growth and importantly, outlines how to achieve it.

Sue MacLeman, CEO and Managing Director of MTPConnect, said, “Growth of the Australian economy in the 21st century will depend on our ability to develop high-skill, value-adding industries that can compete in the global marketplace. While we’ve had some great success stories of companies making it onto the global stage, we still have a lot of work to do, particularly in later stage product development and commercialisation. We need to build on our achievements and collaborate further to translate our good ideas into marketable products.

“By addressing the key issue of information exchange, along with well-known barriers – including policy and regulatory impediments – MTPConnect will help to create a more productive commercialisation environment, solve some of Australia’s own healthcare issues, and transform a lot of small companies into more mature companies that are stable and successful.” 

MTPConnect’s Draft SCP has identified seven ‘Sector Growth Priorities’, each addressing specific elements of the MTP value chain. They are:

1. Identify and promote Knowledge Priorities focused on current and future market needs
2. Create a highly productive commercialisation environment from research to early clinical trials and proof-of-concept
3. Transform the SME sub-sector to support the growth of smaller companies into larger, more stable and successful companies
4. Support the development of digitally enabled MTP solutions: devices and data analytics
5. Strengthen Australia as an attractive clinical trial research destination
6. Position Australia as the preferred partner for emerging Asian markets
7. Support advanced manufacturing as a part of the broader Australian innovation ecosystem

MTPConnect is holding stakeholder discussion and seeking feedback on the Draft SCP through a series of events, with the view of presenting its final Sector Competitiveness Plan in Q4, 2016. 

For more information, you can download the Draft SCP here:

Events

Our MTPConnect ‘Collaborating for a competitive Australia’ roadshow tour has officially kicked off, with networking events in Melbourne and Adelaide!

On Monday 25 July, CEO Sue MacLeman and Dr Bronwyn Evans were joined by Minister Philip Dalidakis, Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade, to unveil the new MTPConnect head office at Monash University Clayton Campus, co-located with CSIRO and industry, and introduce the Draft SCP. The audience was also treated to a special presentation from Professor William Charman, the Dean of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Director of Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Science (MIPS) at Monash University on the importance of establishing strong links between university and industry partners and research centres in Australia. 

Our roadshow tour continued on Tuesday 26 July, where we were joined by Minister Jack Snelling , Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts and Minister for Health Industries, to unveil the MTPConnect hub and Draft SCP at the Medical Device Research Institute at Flinders University in Adelaide. The event included special presentations from Professor Karen Reynolds , Director of the Medical Device Research Institute, Professor Robert Saint, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Flinders University and past clients from the Medical Device Partnering Programs, Dr Matthew McDonald and Dr Aidan Cousins, on the importance of clinical, research and industry engagement in developing medical technologies. Not to mention, a delicious welcome cake!

Industry events

Connect with us

We are in the process of developing our new MTPConnect website, coming online soon. In the meantime, follow us on social media so we can keep you updated on news and events. We also invite you to be a part of the conversation!