Message from the CEO

Just a week to go to register to join other start-ups, SMEs and innovators on our top-level medtech mission to North America. It’s a double whammy with the trip taking in the global medtech hub of Minneapolis, Minnesota and the MedTech Conference (15 - 17 October 2024) in Toronto, Canada where will be joined by our Chair, the Hon Jaala Pulford.

This is a unique opportunity for Australia’s emerging medtech start-ups and SMEs to explore Minnesota’s famed ‘Medical Alley’ ecosystem, a powerhouse global medtech cluster that’s home to 15,000 healthcare companies employing 500,000 people including some of the world’s biggest device companies. And then for companies to be profiled at the Australian Pavilion at the Medtech Conference - the place to promote your innovations and meet key decision makers, investors and large medtech companies.

Delegates need to plan arrival in Minneapolis on 9 October for the two-day US program (10-11 October 2024) before heading to Toronto. Register for the delegation by 6 September, in time to also secure a discounted conference rate. Hope you can join us!

Moving cities to San Diego, the final episode in MTPConnect Podcast’s BIO Bites series is now available. Back in June we took a tour around San Diego’s ecosystem recording interviews with Rachel Rath from the Blue Knight Initiative at J&J Innovation’s JLABS who are supporting early-stage companies, and Dena Marrinucci from US startup Truvian Health who are working with Planet Innovation on a portable blood testing platform. At the Australian Pavilion, I caught up with University of Adelaide ’s Prof Mark Hutchinson on defence and the SABRE Alliance, Bridgewest Ventures’ boss Saum Vahdat, Adelaide Data Science Centre’s Dr Melissa Humphries, Topelia Australia’s David Fox and Attentive Science Australia’s Holly Stefl. A great selection of snapshots for you from the world’s largest biotech partnering event.

We have kicked off our SME advisory and support program for AusIndustry’s Industry Growth Program and look forward to connecting with more SMEs as we roll out further activities.

This week our Adelaide Intermediary Program hosted an incredible evening with South Australia’s healthtech leaders discussing the weighty issue of ‘tomorrows workforce’. Our Chair, the Hon. Jaala Pulford and I attended the event and were delighted to connect with the Hon. Chris Picton MP, Minister for Health & Wellbeing and the Hon. Joe Szakacs MP, Minister for Trade & Investment.

During the night, we took the opportunity to farewell Jo Close, thanking her for her incredible contribution to setting up the successful Adelaide Intermediary Program and marking its achievements during the last 2.5 years – facilitating over 600 connections and attracting over $25 million to South Australia to drive continued growth of the state’s dynamic healthtech ecosystem. We also officially welcomed Dana Bell into the role of Director of the Adelaide team to continue the good work of delivering AIP activities working alongside the Department of State Development. 

Our WA program has just launched its new Office Hours program which is giving researchers, clinicians or inventors with a big idea the opportunity to meet with a group of experts from WA’s health and medical life sciences and innovation sector. First up is Perth Childrens Hospital so either book a session or drop in on 10 September!

Mid-September our AAMRNet Co Chair Andrew Bowskill is heading to New York for a full suite of meetings with leading global AMR stakeholders to coincide with the 26th United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting on AMR. This is a landmark meeting which will help drive policy innovation and implementation to combat the global antimicrobial resistance problem.

And coming up next month look out for some great events including our SA Insights: Delve into the World of Health Precincts with experts who are building innovation ecosystems and health precincts on 19 September in Adelaide, our Vic Showcase on how to access national research infrastructure for therapeutic innovations on 11 September in Melbourne, and in Perth our Hub’s September Spotlight explores AI in healthcare – What Can We Do NOW? on 19 September 2024.

Finally, we are delighted to have been nominated together with our friends at Pathology Technology Australia as a finalist in the Health Industry Hub Catalysts for Change Awards in the Advancing Health Policy category for a HIH podcast episode about our report on a national action plan to build Australia’s Diagnostic Technology Sovereign Capability and Resilience – reflecting the great work of our medtech and diagnostics industry. Winners will be announced at an Awards event in Sydney in October.

With so much happening in the sector, we hope you continue to enjoy our newsletter and stay connected to opportunities, events, and news.

Kind regards,

Stuart Dignam
Chief Executive Officer 

MTPConnect & Industry News

Join MTPConnect’s Medtech Delegation to the US and Canada before 6 September
MTPConnect is leading this mission for medtech startups, SMEs, researchers and entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative technologies, explore partnering opportunities and new connections, and gain unique insights into the US market. Take in the Medical Alley global medtech hub of Minneapolis, Minnesota and and the MedTech Conference (15 - 17 October 2024) in Toronto, Canada with our Chair the Hon Jaala Pulford. To join the delegation, complete a registration by 6 September 2024 – to also qualify for the special early bird conference rate. Register here! 

Accelerate Your Therapeutic Product Development With Leading Australian Facilities
Following our successful  NSW and QLD Showcase, MTPConnect is hosting the VIC Showcase in Melbourne. Find out how to access these facilities and other funding opportunities, and how life sciences companies have used these facilities to advance their therapeutic developments. On 11 September 2024 in Melbourne. Register now!

BIO Bites - new podcast episode direct from BIO 2024 San Diego
For our final episode in the BIO Bites podcast series, hosts Caroline Duell and Stuart Dignam were in San Diego to find out what all the buzz is about at the world's largest biotech partnering event. The episode features insights from companies including Blue Knight Initiative at J&J Innovation JLABS, Truvian Health, Bridgewest Ventures, University of Adelaide, Adelaide Data Science Centre, Topelia Australia and Attentive Science Australia. Listen to this episode now! And catch up on part 1 and part 2 of our BIO Bites series direct from the BIO Convention 2024.

SA Insights: Delve into the World of Health Precincts
Join the Adelaide Intermediary Program and delve into the world of Health Precincts – locally and globally. This event will feature a fireside chat with a panel of pioneering leaders who are making their mark building innovation ecosystems and health precincts. On 19 September 2024, 5.30 pm - 7.30 pm ACST. Register your spot!

Connect with the Adelaide Intermediary Program's Fee-Free Services
Do you need to elevate your research impact, build connections and access advice to identify funding opportunities? MTPConnect's Adelaide Intermediary Program team will be working from the Tonsley Innovation District on the first Thursday of each month for drop-ins or one-on-one consultations. Access the fee-free services of the program now and book a meeting.

WA Hub’s September Spotlight Explores AI in Healthcare
Join the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub for a special MTP Sector Spotlight to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we deliver healthcare today. In "AI in Healthcare: What Can We Do Now?", the WA Hub will focus on cutting through the hype to deliver practical, actionable insights into how AI is being used right now in WA’s healthcare and medical technology sectors with a panel of experts who will explore real-world applications of AI. At the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in Perth, 19 September, 5 pm - 7.30 pm AWST. 

WA Hub Launches Office Hours Program
The WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub has launched its Office Hours program. This is an opportunity to meet with cross-disciplinary experts from across WA's health and medical life sciences/innovation sector beginning 10 September at Perth Children's Hospital. Book a session or drop in on Tuesday 10 September, 12-5pm AWCT, Level 5 Auditorium breakout area at Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands

Raise your Company Profile with WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub’s Half-Day Media Workshop
Join the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub for a half-day workshop with Profile Media. Discover how to tap into opportunities to grow your company’s reputation and increase your profile in the media with Media Mastery for Business Growth on 5 September 2024. This workshop is popular so register now to avoid disappointment! 

Mark your Calendars for WA Life Sciences & Innovation Hub's Spotlight 2024
Save the date for the ‘Spotlight on 2024’ on 26 November 2024! Brought to you by the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub, Life Sciences WA and AusBiotech, the event will celebrate Western Australia’s dynamic life sciences sector. You are invited to join the Hub in spotlighting the achievements and good news stories from the WA sector over the year. Interested in sponsoring the event? Reach out to Rebekah Hinton.

MTPConnect Team News
We farewell Jo Close, who led our inaugural Adelaide Intermediary Program for more than 2.5 years. Her leadership has helped foster a culture of  innovation and translation in South Australia's healthtech sector. We wish Jo all the best in her new role! We are thrilled that Dana Bell, our Partnerships Director SA, has taken on the role of Director Adelaide Intermediary Program to lead our SA team, beginning this week.

Apply for a new MTPConnect role to lead AUSCEP
Could this be you? MTPConnect is seeking to appoint an Innovation and Translation Lead, AUSCEP to lead the delivery of the Australian Clinical Entrepreneur Program (AUSCEP), a 12-month mobile accelerator program for translation and/or commercialisation of innovations developed by Australia’s healthcare professionals. Visit our Careers page for more information. Applications close on Friday 6 September 2024 at 5 pm AEST.

Sector Snapshot

• More BiVACOR news - eight days following the first BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart (TAH) implant in Texas, a donor heart became available and was transplanted into the patient, removing the BiVACOR TAH and meeting a goal of the EFS to evaluate the safety and performance of the BiVACOR TAH as a bridge-to-heart-transplant solution
• Pfizer will ramp up manufacturing of antimicrobials and precision medicines from its Melbourne site to combat the rising threat of superbugs after tipping $150 million into production facilities, robotics and artificial intelligence
• The Department of Industry, Science and Resources has released a new National Science Statement and National Science and Research Priorities to drive their response to 21st century challenges and help deliver a Future Made in Australia
• University of Sydney has launched a new Biomanufacturing Incubator
• Medical device developer Cyban has announced Steve Motes as its new Chief Strategy Officer for the USA
• Australian Medical Angels has secured $300k from LaunchVic to launch a new VC fund, targeting $40M for early-stage medtech & healthcare start-ups
• SA health research company Bellberry celebrated its 20th anniversary, launching a new podcast series  ‘From Lab To Life’ which goes behind the scenes to understand more about the clinical trial and medical research sector
• Rosanne Hyland has been appointed as AusBiotech's Deputy Chief Executive Officer 
• WEHI is investing $66 million over 10 years through its first strategic investment fund, 66ten, to drive biomedical innovation
• The first recipients of the Burnext Accelerator Program have been announced: Burnet Diagnostic Initiative’s (BDI) Alanine Transaminase (ALT) point-of-care test and EXPAND-C
• The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provided further guidance on the Essential Principles (EP) checklist requirements for Medical Devices, aiming to enhance the efficiency of Technical File preparation and maintenance
• LBT Innovations has signed an agreement to sell five APAS® Independence instruments to AstraZeneca AB (AstraZeneca) and to provide annual maintenance and support services over seven years
• The Translational Research Institute has appointed cancer researcher and clinician Professor Maher Gandhi as their next CEO
• QIMR Berghofer researchers have developed a promising CAR T cell immunotherapy that is genetically engineered to target and destroy aggressive glioblastoma brain cancer cells
• US startup Truvian Health, who recently featured in our BIO Bites podcast, has received US $74 million in new funding to help secure FDA clearance for their blood testing platform - Planet Innovation is Truvian's development and manufacturing partner for its automated benchtop platform
• The WA Government has opened its first phage manufacturing facility to help patients fight antibiotic resistant superbugs
• 360biolabs, a BioAgilytix company, has opened a new facility, expanding the capabilities and capacity of Melbourne’s preclinical, clinical and translational development ecosystem
• ANDHealth's partnership with the Therapeutic Goods Administration has been extended for another year. The joint initiative will continue providing regulation and registration support for digital medical software companies looking to commercialise new products that can help improve health outcomes for Australian patients
• The University of Queensland is partnering with ARM Hub (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) to enhance robotics and AI capabilities in priority areas including medicine
• Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery (ACMD), a new centre for medical research to make life-saving and ground-breaking scientific discoveries, has reached structural completion
• Breakthrough Victoria's inaugural CEO, Grant Dooley, has stepped down after three years

• Ear Science Institute Australia's Adj. A/Prof. Elaine Wong's project on novel small molecules for treatment of sensorineural hearing loss has been selected for round 1 of the inaugural MedChem Australia pilot program - providing subsidised medicinal chemistry expertise to promising drug discovery programs

• Find out how Australia is ready to play a leading role in the rise of the global radiopharmaceutical industry with MTPConnect's discussion paper, 'From Mines to Medicines. Australia’s Radiopharmaceuticals Future', outlining a national roadmap to maximise this opportunity

• Read MTPConnect's latest snapshot report on Australia’s Clinical Trials Sector released in June 2024
• The results are in - read MTPConnect's TTRA impact report out now,  ‘Transforming health outcomes for diabetes and cardiovascular disease in Australia – Interim report on impacts of the first Targeted Translation Research Accelerator’
• Read the latest report from MTPConnect and its Australian Antimicrobial Resistance Network (AAMRNet): Fighting superbugs: Ensuring Australia is ready to combat the rise of drug resistant infections developed by Evohealth
• Check out the 'Discovery to Device' facility for accelerating MedTech commercialisation, in partnership with RMIT and the Victorian Government. Contact Professor Sharath Sriram to find out more
• Read the National Action Plan to Build Australia’s Diagnostic Technology Sector and Improve Health Security
• The Victorian Government has produced the Victorian Medtech Capability Directory. 
• gemaker's website is a great resource for the innovation and commercialisation sector. And subscribe to gemaker's Monthly Insights newsletter for researchers, inventors and innovative businesses
• Join the mailing list of the new Victorian Medtech Skills and Device Hub, bringing together local businesses, universities and education providers to accelerate Victoria's medtech sector and deliver the workforce of the future

Sector Opportunities 

• Applications are open for the first-ever NSW Drug Discovery Forum! Present your pre-IP and/or unlicensed drug discovery research to a panel of industry/investors on 28 & 29 October. Apply before 30 August. Learn more
• EOI's are now open to attend the ARCS Signature Program, uniquely tailored for senior managers in the medtech and pharmaceutical sector with an ambition to progress into executive leadership roles
• Are you developing an early-stage technology and looking to take the next step to commercialise your product? Submit your expressions of interest now for AusBiotech 2024's Early-Stage Innovation Forum by 1 September 2024
• Seeking investment for your breakthrough innovation? Apply to become an investee at AusBioInvest 2024
• BioCurate’s 2024 Proof-of-Concept Fund is open, offering up to $500K in funding and industry mentorship to academic researchers & eligible companies. Apply by 6 September 2024
• The Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovations (ACADI) has launched the Health Tech Innovation Challenge (HTIC): Pitch your diabetes innovation for a chance to win $30,000 in seed funding. Receive expert pitch training and showcase your idea to a panel of expert judges! Applications close 9 September 2024
• IDE Group's Building Better Futures for Health 2024 applications are now open - check their website
• The Industry Growth Program provides support for innovative SMEs to commercialise and grow their business within the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas, such as medical science. Get connected to an Industry Growth Program adviser who will provide tailored advice to support your commercialisation and/or growth project. And you may be eligible to apply for further funding. Apply now
• CBE GMP Uplift Essentials Program is returning to WA in September to deliver more practical, industry relevant hands-on GMP training.  Supported by WA Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation. Register your interest today!
• The WA Government has launched the WA Venture Capital Initiative, an investment program for Venture Capitalists to invest in early-stage companies in Western Australia
• Do you have an innovation that you want to put on SA Health’s radar? Submit your ideas to the SA Health Industry Ideas portal
• iPREP Biodesign, a program providing PhD Candidates with an industry engagement opportunity and training on design thinking will open for the next round in September. 
• FundWA Open Door initiative provides local founders with the opportunity to discuss fundraising, or pitch to a member of our team. No warm introduction needed. Apply
• Cicada HealthTech Hub Ask an Expert is an exciting opportunity for clinicians, researchers, and health tech founders to gain insights and personalised advice from a distinguished panel of Mentors, Investors, and Funders. Visit the website to book an appointment for a 20-minute session online or at Westmead Innovation Centre
• The NSW government and Cicada Innovations are providing nationwide access to free online commercialisation training, 'NSW Deep Tech Commercialisation Program: Foundations
• Invest NSW's MVP (Minimum Viable Product) Ventures 2024-2025 supports start-ups and innovative SMEs in the product lifecycle between early-stage research and mature investment opportunities, through grants to drive the commercialisation of highly innovative and new products. Closes 28 February 2025
• Perth BioDesign is a part-time 7-month course bringing together multidisciplinary teams to identify unmet clinical needs and work towards inventing a medical technology or digital health solution, whilst learning about the development process. Apply!

• The WA Commercialisation Bridge Grant, specifically targets innovation-driven small enterprises and startups in WA, to assist them in becoming sustainable, scalable businesses.

• Applications are open for X-TEND WA, a competitive co-investment grants program, investing in organisations that deliver initiatives to assist and support the WA Innovation Ecosystem provided by WA's Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation
• Co-Funding Partnerships Program (Co-FPP) is an ongoing Program of the Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund to establish collaborations and funding partnerships to bring new non-government funding for health and medical research and innovation to WA, and to build a culture that supports co-operation and interconnectedness

• Applications are open until 17 October 2024Nominations for the Medtech Industry Awards, hosted by the MTAA are open until 6 September 2024

• Carb-X has announced a new funding round to fill major R&D gaps in the global pipeline for bacterial infections, with four distinct product themes. Submit expressions of interest between 23 September - 4 October 2024

• The Western Australian Government is seeking feedback from WA-based companies on their interest to participate in a delegation to AusBiotech (October/November 2024) in Melbourne 

• WA's Health and medical life sciences industry: Market Access Grant Scheme 2024 supports Western Australian health and medical life sciences companies in advancing their business development through national and international conferences and events in 2024. Funding support is 80% of eligible costs (excluding GST) and up to a maximum of $5,000 per company. Closes when all funds are expended
• CSIRO Kick-Start is a year-round initiative providing matched funding support for innovative Australian start-ups and small businesses, with access to CSIRO’s research expertise and capabilities to help grow and develop their business
• The Seed-Start program (South Australia) supports commercialisation of innovative, early-stage SA startups. Applications are ongoing
• Curtin University has launched Curtin Invest Angel Syndicate to support startups and innovation-driven businesses emerging from its Curtin Accelerate program. Find out more on how to join the syndicate
• Check out the APR.Intern internships available in the medtech and pharma sector!
• Are you a biotech innovator looking for specialised facilities? Jumar Bioincubator, Australia's newest biotech incubator is offering affordable lab and office space, along with practical support, to nurture young biotech ventures. Find out more

• ATSE's IMNIS Ignite is a postgraduate internship program connecting industry-ready IMNIS Engage alumni with industry-based internships at host organisations. Register your interest.

• Keep up with funding opportunities and subscribe to the monthly MRFF newsletter, from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

• Do you have a great idea for a medical or assistive device and need R&D assistance? Connect with MDPP 

Events​

• 3 September 2024 - Scaling Deep Tech Ventures: Challenges and Strategies, Cicada Innovations (Online)
• 4-6 September 2024 - CBE GMP Uplift Essentials Program. Centre for Biopharmaceutical Excellence (Perth)
• 5 September 2024 - Media Mastery for Business Growth, WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub (Perth)
• 10 September 2024 - Women in MedTech Networking Event - R U OK? Day, MTAA (Sydney)
• 10 September 2024 - NSW Health Commercialisation Training Program - Navigating the Healthcare System (Sydney & online)
• 10 September 2024 - Medtech Manufacturing Roadshow-Cell Therapies - Career Pathways Showcase, VMH (Melbourne)
• 11 September 2024 - VIC Showcase: How to Access Australia’s Research Infrastructure, MTPConnect (Melbourne)
• 17 September 2024 - Clinical Trials Panel and Networking Event, Monash University Clinical Trials Centre (Melbourne)
• 17-19 September 2024 - Australian Defence, Science, Technology and Research Summit 2024 (Canberra)
• 19 September 2024 - SA Insights: Delve into the World of Health Precincts, MTPConnect Adelaide Intermediary Program (Adelaide)
• 22-27 September 2024 - 45th ICMM World Congress on Military Medicine (Brisbane)
• 26 September 2024 - AusBiotech & ASX BioBriefing (Sydney)
• 9 October 2024 - BioSymposium - Innovating Antibody-Drug Conjugates: From Mechanisms to Market, BioMelbourne Network (CSIRO, Clayton)
• 9-17 October 2024 - MTPConnect Australian Medtech Delegation to US and Canada 
• 15-17 October 2024 - The Medtech Conference, AdvaMed (Toronto, Canada) 
• 20-23 October 2024 - HLTH (Las Vegas, US)
• 17 October 2024 - Cyber security for everyone, Cooperative Research Australia (online)
• 22 October 2024 - RegConnect24, MTAA (Sydney)
• 23-24 October 2024 - MTAA MedTech Conference, MTAA (Sydney)
• 28 - 30 October 2024 - SWITCH - Singapore Week of Innovation & Technology (Singapore)
• 29 October 2024 - AusBioInvest 2024 (Melbourne)
• 30 October - 1 November 2024 - AusBiotech 2024 National Conference (Melbourne)
• 31 October 2024 - MIME Symposium 2024, Monash (Melbourne)
• 7 November 2024 - Promoting success: telling your story with impact, Cooperative Research Australia (online)
• 19 November 2024 - Women in MedTech Networking Event - Mentoring Program, MTAA (Sydney)
• 21 November 2024 - 2024 BioMelbourne Network Annual General Meeting & Networking Event (Melbourne)
• 26 November 2024 - Spotlight on 2024 - Save the date, WA Life Sciences & Innovation Hub (Perth)
• 28 November 2024 - Practical co-design for everyone: the secret to success, Cooperative Research Australia (online)
• 11 December 2024 - BioMelbourne Network, AusBiotech and ARCS VIC End-of-Year Function 2024 – save the date (Melbourne)
• 25 - 27 February 2025 - Global Life Science Partnering & Investor Conference, BioCom California (La Jolla, California US)
• 18 - 19 March 2025 - Life Sciences Summit, Biotech NZ & NZTech (Wellington, New Zealand)
• 16 May 2025 - Connecting Women Lunch, BioMelbourne Network (Melbourne)

To see what industry events are coming up in 2024, visit our events page.

Case Study Showcase | New Partnerships Help Accelerate Vital Kidney Metabolism Research

Global biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca is developing innovative medicines in areas such as oncology, respiratory, renal and cardiovascular diseases. A REDI Fellowship gave leading Monash University kidney researcher A/Professor Melinda Coughlan the chance to be immersed in a variety of drug discovery work that broadened her clinical perspectives and will revolutionise her future research efforts. Find out more about her six-month immersion in the Renal and Metabolism teams at AstraZeneca and how it provided A/ Professor Coughlan a unique opportunity to explore new research pathways and technologies and build the foundations for a partnership with major therapeutic potential. Find out more...

Sector Profile: Clinibase

Clinibase is where innovation meets efficiency in the world of clinical trials. As a pioneering start-up spun out from the esteemed Cardiobase, we bring over 30 years of experience directly to the forefront of clinical research. Learn more in our Sector Directory.

List your organisation on the MTPConnect Sector Directory.