Message from the CEO

Good afternoon,

We’re putting the finishing touches on our highly anticipated MTPConnect Showcase event next week. We’re bringing innovators from around Australia together in Melbourne to celebrate the development of their technologies and the impact of our Clinical Translation and Commercialisation Medtech (CTCM) and Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) programs.

The two-day event will put organisations and their home-grown innovations front and centre in a dedicated exhibition for an audience of investors, strategic partners and industry peers. And we are delighted that the Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing, the Hon. Mark Butler MP will be joining us there at the State Library.

A satellite meeting to the Showcase will be held in partnership with Lowitja Institute and AusHSI on Monday 1 December. This forum will bring together First Nations awardees from the TTRA program along with government and philanthropy representatives. I’m really looking forward to discussions on strategies for empowering First Nations research and the broader ethical imperative of sustainably funding the implementation of research that so deeply involves building relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

As World Antimicrobial Awareness Week wraps up, we were delighted to represent Australia for the first plenary session of the new World Health Organization (WHO) Civil Society Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance.

Our AMR initiative, AAMRNet has been selected as a Task Force member, alongside 80 other organisations from around the world, and MTPConnect’s Andrew Bowskill has been appointed to the 12-member steering committee along with the US, UK, Belgium, Brazil, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Switzerland, the Philippines and Tanzania.

The move recognises AAMRNet’s leadership role in Australia and the broader Asia Pacific region, and with the latest WHO data showing 1 in 6 infections were resistant to antibiotics, particularly urinary tract infections, we’re uniquely positioned to take our AMR advocacy to a new level.

Locally, we thrilled to secure a three-year extension of our highly successful Life Sciences Intermediary Program for South Australia, with ongoing support and commitment from the South Australian Government. The program’s all about backing SA’s growing health innovation ecosystem of researchers, startups, scaleups, enterprises and investors. And through the expertise of our team - Dana Bell, Pia Vogrin and Dr Santhni Subramaniam - and the targeted support activities we lead, we’ve had new companies formed, investment attracted, jobs created, deals done and more revenues generated. We appreciate the support of the SA Minister for Trade and Investment and Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, the Hon. Joe Szakacs MP and SA Minister for Health and Wellbeing, the Hon. Chris Picton MP for this initiative.

To top it off last week we acknowledged the wins, milestones and momentum of the South Australian life sciences community with our APPLAUSE25 end-of-year event. There was a lot of energy in the room marking this sold-out annual celebration of the sector’s achievements and great to have Minister Picton join us. Find out what all the fuss was about and check out the APPLAUSE25 Celebration Reel!  

Across to Western Australia, where we recently celebrated the seven-year impact of our partnership with the WA Government, and The University of Western Australia, through the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub. The Hub has helped companies attract millions in funding, support hundreds of jobs, and connect WA innovators with national and global opportunities – and we were delighted the Minister for Medical Research; Science and Innovation, the Hon. Stephen Dawson MLC joined our event to mark this successful partnership model as an example of how to supercharge innovation. Check out the achievements!

And this week we wrapped up with The Spotlight on 2025, our end-of-year celebration of Western Australia’s vibrant life sciences sector delivered in partnership between the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub, AusBiotech and Life Sciences WA.

We have kicked off our MTPConnect Investor Ready Program, a partnership with Wholesale Investor designed for life science companies looking to raise private investment. Find out what it’s all about in the latest episode of the MTPConnect Podcast with Steve Torso. If you are looking to raise capital in 2026, there are still a few places available. It culminates with the inaugural Life Science Investor Day as part of Wholesale Investor’s Emergence 2026 conference, on 18 February 2026. This new event will bring together ASX-listed innovators, breakthrough private companies and global investors driving the future of health, diagnostics, and therapeutics.

We hope you continue to enjoy our regular newsletter and stay connected to opportunities, events and more as we work together to back Australian life science innovation.

Kind regards,

Stuart Dignam
Chief Executive Officer 

MTPConnect & Industry News

MTPConnect's Adelaide Intermediary Program Extended for a Three-Year Term
MTPConnect will continue its highly successful Adelaide Intermediary Program (AIP) supporting SA’s life sciences innovation ecosystem, after welcoming an additional three-year funding commitment from the South Australian government.

MTPConnect Secures Australian Representation on World Health Organization Task Force on AMR
The Australian Antimicrobial Resistance Network has been selected to join the WHO Civil Society Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance which aims to support and strengthen the WHO’s engagement with non-government organisations, foster collaborations, build capacity and amplify the voices of communities affected by AMR. This month was also World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week, held 18–24 November. With one in six infections now being resistant to antibiotics, this year's theme of "Act now: protect Our Present, Secure Our Future" couldn't be more timely. Follow AARMNet on LinkedIn to stay up to date with the latest news. 

MTPConnect Investor Ready Program Kicks Off
We have teamed up with Wholesale Investor, on a dedicated capital engagement program designed for life science companies looking for private investment. It has kicked off with a Capital Raising Masterclass and a package of other activities for participating companies. Limited places are still available. Register your interest. It culminates in the inaugural Life Sciences Investor Day at Emergence 2026 Conference in February, in Sydney, bringing  together ASX-listed innovators, breakthrough private companies, and global investors driving the future of health, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Our prospectus is now available featuring sponsorship and partnership opportunities at the event that are designed to connect your organisation with Australia’s life science innovation leaders and the private investment sector. Please contact us for more information.

MTPConnect Accelerator Showcases Innovations in December
The countdown is on for our upcoming two-day Accelerator Showcase, bringing together over 200 guests to celebrate the future of Australian innovation. The theme is 'Innovate, Accelerate, Celebrate' with innovations supported through our CTCM and TTRA accelerator programs front and centre in a dedicated exhibition, along with thought leadership panel discussions and keynotes. Stay tuned!

SA APPLAUSE25 - Oh What a Night!
What a night! More than 200 innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, leaders and community champions came together for one of the biggest highlights on the South Australian life sciences calendar. The Minister for Health and Wellbeing the Hon Chris Picton acknowledged the importance of SA sector’s contribution to the health and wealth of the state. He also announced SA Government’s commitment to growing the sector through the extension of MTPConnect Adelaide Intermediary Program for another 3 years. Check out the celebration reel as well as an events highlight reel! 

New MTPConnect Podcast Episodes This Month!
Are you developing a medical science innovation and need funding for your venture? Wholesale Investor's Steve Torso joins the podcast to talk about how the MTPConnect Investor Ready program can help life science companies develop an investor network, build a skill base in investor communications and avoid some of the pitfalls when engaging with investors. Listen here to find out more. We also met Melbourne biotech start-up, Tessara Therapeutics, to find out how their Real Brain technology is powering up drug discovery. Listen here.

Bringing Together Industry Growth Program Clients for Networking Events
We have held a number of events held around Australia recently as part of our support for Industry Growth Program (IGP). In Brisbane and Perth, we hosted the networking and information events, Translating Science to Success. In Melbourne, industry leaders joined an insightful panel session, Building Successful MedTech and Biotech Partnerships Across Asia, to unpack the opportunities and challenges of expanding into Asia’s rapidly growing medtech and biotech sectors. Melbourne IGP clients also took part in an intensive leadership training workshop held at the Melbourne Business School to explore how to lead self, lead others, and lead their organisation in fast-moving, innovation-driven environments. 

WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub Celebrates Seven Years of Impact
The WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub celebrated 7 years of impact with a special Spotlight event in Perth, hosted by our partners MTPConnect, The University of Western Australia, and the Government of Western Australia. The event was kicked off by the Hon Stephen Dawson, Minister for Medical Research; Science and Innovation. 

WA Year End Event Shines a Spotlight on 2025
The WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub, Life Sciences WA, and AusBiotech hosted a special evening celebrating the incredible growth, innovation, and collaboration across Western Australia’s vibrant life sciences community. WA’s Minister for Science & Innovation and Medical Research Hon Stephen Dawson joined in the proceedings. Thanks to sponsors Linear Clinical Research, ProGenis Pharmaceuticals and Radium Capital for making this celebration possible. 

ACADI Partnering Summit Celebrates Advances in Diabetes Research with MTPConnect’s TTRA Program
MTPConnect was proud to co-host the the Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovations (ACADI) Partnering Summit 2025 on World Diabetes Day, celebrating four years of national collaboration, innovation and impact delivered through ACADI, established under MTPConnect’s TTRA program. The two-day Summit brought together researchers, clinicians, industry partners, community leaders and advocates from across Australia to showcase ACADI’s achievements and highlight the Centre’s strong commitment to equity, inclusion and community-driven research. Check out the highlights!

Synchron has raised $200m Series D to Advance Brain-Computer Interface Technology to advance commercialisation of the Stentrode™ BCI platform and expand AI and engineering operations in New York and San Diego. Synchron has received support from MTPConnect’s BMTH accelerator program, an MRFF initiative.

4DMedical has been ranked #7 in the Deloitte 2025 Tech Fast 50 list with 715% revenue growth over the past three years. Congratulations for being recognised as one of the fastest-growing technology companies. The company has received support from MTPConnect's CTCM accelerator program, an MRFF initiative.

WA-based Progenis Pharmaceuticals is developing a new RNA therapy for type 2 diabetes and has been awarded the Emerging Innovation Award at the WA Innovators of the Year Award. The company is receiving support from MTPConnect’s TTRA Drugs and Devices program, an MRFF initiative.

Congratulations to Roam Technologies - one of 11 companies selected globally to join the Texas Medical Center’s Healtech Accelerator at the TMC Innovation Factory in Houston Texas – to advance its tankless continuous flow oxygen therapy device JUNO!

Congratulations to WA innovator Dr Nikhilesh Bappoo, VeinTech and Lubdub founder, who has received the 2025 Prime Ministers Science Prize for New Innovators. VeinTech received support from the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub’s WA Medical Manufacturing Voucher Program.

Brisbane-based Laronix receives $3.2m from the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Program to develop their MIRA Voice prototype artificial larynx device– check out episode 197 of MTPConnect Podcast.

Lindo Group receives $2m from the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Program to develop their blue light endotracheal tube to prevent common hospital throat infections – check out the MTPConnect Podcast episode with co founder and CEO Robert Gangi to find out more about their innovation.
 

Sector Opportunities

• Check out the latest Uplift Training Programs from CBE, a series of short courses covering the technical aspects of translating assets from research to commercial by giving you the tools and technical knowledge to take your understanding to the next level. Q4 courses starting now! Visit the website to find out more and enrol.

• Aquillius is hosting the Innovation in Women's Health Pitch Showcase in San Francisco during JPM Week on Monday 12 January 2026. Apply to pitch at the event with 10 start-up companies to be selected - you will have to hurry to get your entries in by 1 December 2025. Sponsorship packages are also available. Contact MyPhuong Le to find out more.

• Medical Alley has created two Market Access Accelerator offerings, designed to address the majority of questions they receive in a format that also allows personalised advisory from our leading content experts. These experts provide guidance on FDA regulatory pathways, reimbursement, compliance, clinical trials, commercialisation, market plan validation and venture capital. Learn more about 2026 enrolment.

• CUREator in partnership with CSIRO has opened $33 million funding round to accelerate the development of early-stage therapeutics addressing significant unmet medical needs across the drug discovery, preclinical and clinical development stages – details and funding guidelines here. Successful small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) will gain access to significant non-dilutive funding (up to $5 million per project). EOIs close on 4 December 2025.

• The Biocom California Global Partnering and Investor Conference is hosting its exclusive partnering and investor forum in February 2026 bringing together over 500 investors and senior executives, including CEOs and heads of business development, biotech, and research and development from leading pharmaceutical, biotech, and research organisations from over 20 countries. This prestigious conference features panel discussions, one-on-one partnering meetings, presentations from small companies and leading research institutions, and endless networking opportunities. Find out more

• ANDHealth+ commercialisation acceleration program for innovative digital and connected health technologies is now open for applications – Intake 1 closes 16 January 2026. 

• Charles Sturt University, in collaboration with ANDHealth are inviting all Australian founders who have launched a digital health startup in the last ten years to participate in an online survey. Your participation will help identify the factors that challenge and support digital health startups. Complete the survey.

Events​

• 2 December 2025 - ANDHealth Unfiltered: When Software and Hardware Collide (Melbourne)
• 1–5 December 2025 - MTAA Medical Device Regulatory Workshop - TGA led, MTAA (Melbourne)
• 2–3 December 2025 - MTPConnect Accelerator Showcase (Melbourne) 
• 5 December 2025 - Building Trustworthy GenAI for Healthcare Innovation, Monash Velos Accelerator (Hybrid)
• 16 December 2025 - VIC End-of-Year Celebration 2025 BioMelbourne Network, AusBiotech and ARCS (Melbourne)
• 18 February 2025 - Life Sciences Investor Day (Emergence 2026), Wholesale Investor/MTPConnect (Sydney)
• 24–26 February 2026 - Global Partnering and Investor Conference, Biocom California (La Jolla, California)
• 26–28 February 2026 - Australian Society for Antimicrobials 25th Annual Scientific Meeting (Adelaide)
• 19–26 May 2026 - AusMedtech 2026, AusBiotech (Perth)

To see what events are coming up in 2025-2026, visit our events page.
 

Case Study Showcase | Transforming atrial fibrillation treatment with innovative pulsed field ablation technology

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder, impacting more than 59 million people globally. One in 10 adults is at risk of developing AF during their lifetime, with more than 500,000 Australians currently living with this condition.

Sydney-based CathRx were awarded funding from MTPConnect’s Clinical Translation and Commercialisation Medtech (CTCM) accelerator program. Find out how their ElectroPulse^TM, a non-thermal, tissue-selective pulsed electric field ablation (PFA) system, will enable clinicians to perform real-time mapping and ablation seamlessly, enhancing patient safety, with no disruption to existing clinical workflows, and reducing costs. Combining both functions into a single device eliminates the need for a separate mapping catheter, resulting in a simpler, quicker procedure and savings.