MTP Connection | July 2025
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Message from the CEO
We all know that hospital and health service procurement requirements and processes are complex so we’re doing something about it. Through our ‘Pathway to Market - Medtech Capability Uplift Program’ in Victoria, and with support from Bosch Australia Manufacturing Solutions, we convened our first ’Selling to Health Masterclass’. It was a sold-out event with more than 40 SMEs attending, indicative of the demand for more action on procurement.
Our program, which we’re delivering in partnership with BioMelbourne Network, has been designed to equip local medtech companies with the capabilities needed to navigate procurement pathways and, ultimately, secure purchase orders.
We have another event tomorrow in Melbourne, a deep dive into engaging with government buyers, and an open medtech showcase later in the year – stay tuned for more details.
And while we’re starting this program in Victoria, we know demand for this sort of support is Australia-wide and we continue to explore ways we can meet demand in other states.
It was great to be part of the large Australian delegation to the BIO Asia-Taiwan conference in Taipei, and to support the Australia-Taiwan Clinical Trials Forum. It’s clear there is a lot of interest in Australia’s clinical trials capabilities and it was encouraging to see new collaborations being formed and business being done. Our thanks to Austrade’s Taiwan team for providing such sterling support for the Australian delegation and helping to build connections in the APAC region.
In Taipei, there was much discussion about global tariffs and the renewed importance of collaboration in dealing with them. Collaboration is in MTPConnect’s DNA and we continue to focus on building new and durable international connections, partnerships and opportunities.
We were delighted to celebrate the global non-profit organisation CARB-X joining AAMRNet, MTPConnect’s AMR initiative, as a partner organisation. Boston-based CARB-X accelerates early-stage antibacterial research and development to protect lives from bacterial infections. AAMRNet has been prioritising building these connections around the world, and this move formalises an already strong and productive partnership with CARB-X built over several years that will help to spotlight Australian and New Zealand AMR research efforts to the world.
Another international collaboration hot off the press last week for this sector was Sanofi’s billion-dollar deal to acquire UK-based Vicebio, and its molecular clamp technology to improve vaccine design - developed in Australia by Prof. Paul Young, Prof. Daniel Watterson and Prof. Keith Chappell at the University of Queensland and licensed from UniQuest. Exits matter and it’s great to see deals like this taking Australian-born medical technologies to the world!
Right now, we are gearing up for our next mission to The Medtech Conference in California in early October where our Chair, the Hon. Jaala Pulford will be leading a curated two-day site visit and event program based around San Diego’s medtech ecosystem. California is the largest life sciences state in the US and a world leader in medtech innovation. With tariff-induced uncertainties, there’s never been a more important time to be on the ground in the US, the world’s biggest medtech market, building connections and opportunities for your innovation.
Companies who register will automatically qualify as a co-exhibitor on the Australian Pavilion to showcase their brand and contact information to the global medtech community. MTPConnect has also organised a special Flex Pass Rate for discounted conference registration – register by end August. We look forward to you joining us in San Diego!
This month on the MTPConnect Podcast you will find an episode recorded in Brisbane at the Queensland Health Research Excellence Showcase featuring some of Queensland Health’s research champions working on major healthcare challenges as they translate research into practice. MTPConnect was delighted to partner with Queensland Health’s Office of Research and Innovation back in June to deliver the research poster and pitch session for this popular Showcase event – attracting more than 40 entries from across the state.
And a reminder that the Australian Clinical Entrepreneur Program (AUSCEP) is now open for the next intake in NSW (apply by 4 August). We deliver this program in NSW and Victoria in partnership with the Australian Society for Medical Entrepreneurship & Innovation (ASME) and it’s great to have the support of LaunchVic and NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI). You can also hear from some of health professionals who have taken part in AUSCEP on the MTPConnect Podcast.
We are also pleased to be supporting a new round of AAMRI VIC’s commercialisation training for early and mid-career medical researchers in Victoria starting in September, thanks to backing from the Victorian Government’s Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions – applications are open now.
Next month we will be celebrating the 200th episode of the MTPConnect Podcast. Look out for our BIO Bites special from the recent BIO Convention in Boston and a fascinating episode on the opportunities for life sciences R&D in space!
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
Join our Trade Mission to The MedTech Conference
The MedTech Conference 2025 (5-8 October) is a can’t-miss event. Prior to the conference, MTPConnect is leading an extensive 2-day visit and event program (2–3 October) based around San Diego’s medtech ecosystem, leveraging our in-depth connections and knowledge for international connections and collaborations. Companies who register for the delegation will automatically qualify as a co-exhibitor on the Australian Pavilion and can showcase their brand and contact information to the global medtech community. Don't miss it. Fees apply. Register now.
New AUSCEP Program in NSW - Apply Now!
We're thrilled to announce the next intake of AUSCEP in New South Wales! The fully subsidised program is made possible with the support of the NSW Agency of Clinical Innovation and NSW Health. This is your chance to join a national network of clinical entrepreneurs for a 12-month program to nurture your healthcare innovation from bench to bedside! Applications close on 4 August 2025 at 11:59pm. Visit the AUSCEP website to apply. Commences 16 September 2025.
Pathways to Market Program Kicks Off with Selling to Health Masterclass
This month, MTPConnect kicked off the 'Medtech Selling to Health Masterclass' in Melbourne with over 40 companies coming together to find out how to become procurement-ready and navigate the complex health procurement landscape, particularly in Victoria.
MTPConnect Podcast Shines a Light on Queensland Health Research
This month, we take you to Brisbane for the Queensland Health Research Excellence Showcase held in May to celebrate how translating research into practice is advancing medical research, workforce development and healthcare in Queensland. Meet some of the translation-ready research champions behind the posters presented at the Showcase. Listen now!
Discover ACADI's Impact on Changing Diabetes Care
The Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovations (ACADI) has released its first Impact Report, reflecting on what can be achieved when collaboration, innovation and shared purpose come together to build a healthier, more equitable future for people living with diabetes and its complications. Highlights include delivering 18 research projects advancing care in key priority areas and training to over 1,300 clinicians, researchers, and educators.ACADI was established in
2022 through MTPConnect's inaugural Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) program for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
SA Insights: Powering Innovation - South Australia’s CRC Leadership
Join MTPConnect’s Adelaide Intermediary Program for a showcase of the three newly announced Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) with strong South Australian involvement. South Australia has a proud history of leading nationally significant CRCs and translating research into successful spinouts and commercial outcomes. Join a tour of Flinders University's Health and Medical Research Building. Hosted by Dr Judy Halliday, Department of State Development. On 18 September 2025, from 5pm. Register for the tour and/or networking event!
WA Hub Workshop Navigates IP Challenges
Are you a start-up or spinout facing IP challenges? Learn how to deploy IP for licensing or company creation with the workshop, Protect, Partner, Profit, hosted by WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub in conjunction with Springboard Medical Manufacturing Alliance. The half-day workshop with Dr Peytee Grusche and Andrew Chalet from Thomson Geer Lawyers will undertake a deep dive of how to protect and leverage IP for your commercialisation journey. On 13 August 2025. Register!
WA Hub Spotlight: An Evening with WA’s Chief Scientist
Join the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub for their upcoming Spotlight featuring WA’s recently appointed Chief Scientist Professor Sharath Sriram. He will discuss his vision for science and technology in the state, his ambitions for the three years ahead, and insights from his first few months in the role. On 26 August in Perth! Spaces limited. Book now!
Applications Now Open for Commercialisation Training for Medical Researchers
AAMRI VIC has partnered up with Swinburne MedTechVic, Swinburne Edge and MTPConnect to develop a commercialisation training program to upskill early and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) in health and medical science fields at the critical pre-seed stage of their research development journey. Starts in September. Find out more and submit an EOI by mid August.
Congratulations to the VitalTrace team whose continuous lactate monitor for childbirth, DelivAssure, has been featured on a number of media platforms, including the ABC, as a potential breakthrough, and has just launched a Series B capital raise to prepare for broader commercialisation.
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Sanofi has entered into an agreement to acquire Vicebio, a company formed in 2018 to develop UQ’s Molecular Clamp technology to make vaccines against life-threatening respiratory viral infections.
Sector Opportunities
“Go Healthy with Taiwan” competition calls for innovative healthcare proposals from Australia! Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) seeks to engage governments, institutions, enterprises and organisations from around the world to submit innovative proposals that integrate Taiwan’s high-quality health products and holistic solutions in areas like smart healthcare technologies, medical aesthetics and wellness checkups and fitness equipment. Submissions are open until 14 August 2025 with a chance to win a trip to Taiwan and US$30,000 prize money. For more information on Taiwanese partners and how to submit a proposal for “Go Healthy with Taiwan”, visit the website.
NCRIS Synthetic Biology Voucher Scheme – Applications now open! The voucher scheme is designed to support cutting-edge, multidisciplinary research using synthetic biology infrastructure across Australia's national research network. Whether you are a researcher, a startup, or an SME, this is your opportunity to bring transformative projects to life with expert capabilities and collaborative support. Closes 12 September 2025
The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has launched the “C-CAMP One Health AMR Challenge 2025, supported by ICARS”. The program will provide funding, commensurate with the requirements of the project, in the range of $50,000 to $250,000; along with mentorship and enablement support for on-field validation and implementation. Applications close on 3 August 2025.
Applications are now open for the ACADI 2025 Health Tech Innovation Challenge. Seeking innovations that prevent, diagnose, monitor or manage diabetes and its complications with a total of $50,000 in seed funding available to help bring projects to life. Applications close 26 August at 12pm AEST.
Register to receive the latest news from Australia’s Cell & Gene Catalyst, powered by AusBiotech and Medicines Australia, to propel Australia’s cell and gene industry forward by fostering collaboration and aligning advocacy efforts to achieve transformative outcomes.
Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) has opened the second round of both the Ignite and Innovate programs. The grant streams available provide funding up to $500,000 for proof-of-concept Ignite grants and up to $5 million for proof-of-scale Innovate grants. Expressions of Interest for AEA Innovate close 5pm AEST Friday 29 August 2025.
The RNA Pipeline Grants (RPG), a $6 million, single-round, competitive technology development and commercialisation program, is now open. The RPG is part of the NSW Government’s RNA R&D Initiatives. Join the info session on 6 August at 1pm AEST. Applications close 1pm AEST on 16 September 2025. Visit the website to find out more!
Learn to build an AI solution that’s tailor-made for your market, your customers, and your use case in Create Healthcare Solutions from Existing AI Tools, a new six-week online micro-credential sponsored by the Victorian Medtech Hub. Course starts 4 August. Enrol now!
Breakthrough Victoria's Breakthrough Fellowship program ignites research entrepreneurship across Victoria, addressing critical market gaps and aiming to cultivate the next generation of start-up founders from Victorian universities. Up to $150,000 is available to start-ups.
Events
- 4 August 2025 - Micro-credential: Create Healthcare Solutions from Existing AI Tools, University of Melbourne (Online)
- 13 August 2025 - Workshop: Protect, Partner, Profit, WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub & Springboard Medical Manufacturing Alliance (Perth)
- 14 August 2025 - US Export Opportunities & Tariff Insights Webinar, MTAA (Online)
- 20 August 2025 - Innovation Showcase: Monash Velos Accelerator (Melbourne)
- 26 August 2025 - Spotlight: An Evening with Prof Sharath Sriram, WA’s Chief Scientist, WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub (Perth)
- 8 September 2025 - Cicada x Tech23 2025 - Australia's Biggest Deep Tech Festival, Cicada Innovations (Sydney)
- 5–8 October 2025 - The MedTech Conference, AdvaMed (San Diego, US)
- 8–10 October 2025 - BioJapan, (Yokohama, Japan)
- 17 October 2025 - Hit ID Symposium 2025, Monash University (Melbourne)
- 19–22 October 2025 - HLTH Conference (Las Vegas, US)
- 22–23 October 2025 - MTAA Medtech Conference MTAA (Sydney)
- 21–24 October 2025 - AusBiotech International Conference 2025, AusBiotech (Melbourne)
- 27–29 October 2025 - EIS: Evidence & Implementation Summit 2025, Centre for Evidence and Implementation and the Implementation Science Health Conference Australia (Melbourne)
- 10–14 November 2025 - MTAA Medical Device Regulatory Workshop - TGA led, MTAA (Sydney)
- 1–5 December 2025 - MTAA Medical Device Regulatory Workshop - TGA led, MTAA (Melbourne)
- 26–28 February 2026 - Australian Society for Antimicrobials 25th Annual Scientific Meeting (Adelaide)
To see what events are coming up in 2025, visit our events page.
Case Study Showcase | A unique approach to treat chronic kidney disease with the potential to reverse damage
Diabetes is one of the main causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD), with half of the global CKD and end-stage kidney disease cases being linked to diabetes. CKD causes millions of deaths each year. Inosi Therapeutics, a company founded on research from Monash University researchers Associate Professor Siew Chai, Associate Professor Tracey Gaspari, Professor Philip Thompson and Professor Rob Widdop, have discovered a promising new angle to address CKD and diabetes-associated fibrosis. Find out how funding through the inaugural round of MTPConnect's Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) Research Projects opportunity accelerated the translation of their innovation. Read on for more...ad the case study!
