Those who have already engaged with Jaala will know she is a passionate advocate for the sector. She has a long and distinguished career in government including serving as Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy. She played a key role in bringing Moderna and BioNTech to Australia, building the country’s R&D and pandemic scale manufacturing capabilities, and also holds positions in the sector as Director of the Children’s Cancer Foundation and a member of the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health Advisory Council. Sue MacLeman, who has served with distinction as MTPConnect’s Chair since 2018, has now
stepped down from the Board. Sue was also MTPConnect’s inaugural CEO and has been a true driving force behind our organisation and her contribution to the sector has been immense. We thank her for her leadership and are very pleased she will continue to act as an advisor through this initial transition phase. I visited our Adelaide Intermediary Program (AIP) this month, which celebrated its first year of delivering services to South Australia’s Health and Medical Innovation ecosystem. Jo, Stephanie, Dana and Pia have truly been busy, clocking up 626 meetings with 157 organisations over the last year, holding nine networking events and supporting 20 funding bids. While I was there the team hosted
the launch of the biomanufacturing stream of the Industry Doctoral Training Centre PhD Plus Program with special guests including the SA Deputy Premier, Hon Susan Close and the state’s Chief Scientist, Prof Caroline McMillen. The AIP's Dana Bell will host the next SA Insights event featuring Avance Clinical & Agilex –discover the start-up journey of two university spin-outs now operating globally from South Australia. Kicking off at 5:30pm ACDT on Thursday 23 March 2023 at the University of Adelaide. Register
now! Our WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub will hold its next Spotlight event with Australian Clinical Trials Alliance’s Professor Steve Webb chatting with MTPConnect’s Dr Tracey Wilkinson on 28 March 2023 – register to attend the breakfast event 7:30am-9:00am AWST. Remember that our Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) initiative for diabetes and cardiovascular disease has opened its third funding round for projects that address the unmet health and medical needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Applications are due by Friday 28 April 2023. To build awareness of the opportunity, we held the second of four webinars highlighting key elements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research. This week’s session – focusing on Ethics and Reciprocity and featuring Dr Summer May Finlay (Co-Chair of the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW Ethics Committee) and Professor Jenni Judd (Professorial Research Fellow, Central Queensland University) is now available on our website as a
video on-demand, and a podcast episode coming soon for anyone who missed it. Once again, we are supporting Science Meets Parliament 2023 and the National Press Club Address which will be delivered by the Minister for Industry and Science, Hon Ed Husic MP on 22 March in Canberra. We’re also helping deliver the conference’s special additional event hosted by Science and Technology Australia – Building the SABRE (Safeguarding Australia through Biotechnology Response and Engagement) Biosecurity Alliance. Defence,
research and industry experts will come together for the half-day event which will link our national biotech capabilities with defence and national security priorities. If you are a leader in biotechnology, human health, genomics, bioinformatics, synthetic biology, agriculture, advanced manufacturing or biosecurity and would like to be involved, you have just one more day to register your interest. I would also like to congratulate two members of MTPConnect’s team, Dr Tracey Wilkinson and Dr Dharmica Mistry, who have been
accepted to join the Women in Leadership Development (WILD) Program for 2023. Over the coming weeks and months, we look forward to introducing you to our new Chair as we connect Jaala with the people behind the projects and initiatives driving the commercialisation of Australia’s health and medical research. Check out the sector’s news, funding and training opportunities and some interesting events outlined below to stay in touch! Kind regards, Stuart Dignam
Chief Executive Officer
MTPConnect & Industry News
Hon. Jaala Pulford Appointed as Chair of MTPConnect
MTPConnect has appointed the Hon. Jaala Pulford as Non-Executive Director and Chair of the MTPConnect Board. Ms Pulford has enjoyed a distinguished career as a senior minister in the Victorian state government, including serving as Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy until her retirement ahead of last year’s state election. Thank you to Sue MacLeman, who has served with distinction as MTPConnect’s Chair since 2018 and will now step down from the Board, but will continue to act as an advisor though the initial transition. Please join us in welcoming Ms Pulford to MTPConnect. A Year of Firsts for our Adelaide Intermediary Team Supporting SA’s Ecosystem
MTPConnect's Adelaide Intermediary Program (AIP) celebrated its first year of delivering services to SA’s Health and Medical Innovation ecosystem at its first Insights Series event for 2023 featuring a fireside chat with BioCina. The AIP is focused on growing South Australia's health and medical industry sector by fostering collaboration, strategically building capacity and attracting new talent and opportunity across the research, innovation and translation value chain. Read more! SA Insights Series 2023: In Conversation with Avance Clinical & Agilex
Discover the start-up journey of two university spinouts now operating globally from SA with our Dana Bell in conversation with Avance Clinical 's CEO Yvonne Lungershausen and Agilex Biolabs' COO Jason Valentine for Adelaide Intermediary Program's next SA Insights Series. On 23 March 2023. Register now! Find out more about Adelaide Intermediary Program's event line-up for 2023. TTRA Round 3 Webinar Series: ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research - Ethics and Reciprocity'
As part of the TTRA program’s third funding round supporting diabetes and cardiovascular disease projects to address the unmet health and medical needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, we hosted our second webinar, ’Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research - Ethics and Reciprocity’ with Dr Summer May Finlay and Professor Jenni Judd. Watch the webinar now as a video on demand (on our website), and stay tuned for our podcast version of the webinar. Calling All Innovators for the WA Challenge
The Government of Western Australia has launched The Challenge, a global call for a medical research and innovation solution to reimagine health service delivery in the Pilbara region of WA. The best solution will win a $5M prize, supported by keystone partners Rio Tinto, BHP and the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund. Submissions are encouraged from industry, the private sector, public sector agencies, universities, research institutes or collaborations from around the world. Applications close 31 March 2023. New Podcast Episodes
Check out this month's new episodes including 'An International Pers pective on the Business of Digital Health' with US digital health expert Lisa Suennen and a chat with clinician entrepreneur Dr Sarah Crowe, inventor of the 4eyes Vision Kit which enables those living in inaccessible and often disadvantaged communities to have their eyes tested and prescription glasses assembled on the spot. We also published a bonus episode this month about our recent TTRA webinar, 'Funding information session: Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease for Indigenous Health'. WA MTP Sector Spotlight features Australian Clinical Trials Alliance
Join MTPConnect's Dr Tracey Wilkinson in conversation with Professor Steve Webb, Founding Director and Chair of the Australian Clinical Trials Alliance (ACTA) and Director of Research, St John of God Healthcare, for our next WA MTP Sector Spotlight event at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, on Tuesday 28 Mar 7:30am -9:00am AWST. Register now! Follow the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub on LinkedIn
The WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub now has a dedicated LinkedIn page. Keep up to date with news, events and opportunities in the WA sector, access local, national and global networks, and celebrate emerging innovations happening in WA! Follow them here! Business Insights Series – How to Raise Capital, Perth
The WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub is partnering with Moore Australia for an information session about raising capital. Ideal for early-stage start-ups and SMEs, this session would be relevant to anyone considering raising external investment. There will be presentations by Peter Gray and Davide Costanzo from Moore as they discuss how to attract investors and investing in early stage innovation companies (ESIC), followed by drinks and networking. On 22 March, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm AWST. Register now! AMR Awareness Australia Tour – March 2023
Join Australia's mission against superbugs with the Australian premiere of the internationally acclaimed documentary, Salt in my Soul, followed by an interactive discussion with US AMR influencer, Diane Shader Smith; CARB-X's Chief Scientist Richard Alm; and the Australian scientists, clinicians and policy makers at the coalface of antimicrobial resistance. MTPConnect's Andrew Bowskill, Co-Chair of AAMRNet is speaking on the panel at the Brisbane premiere. Events being organised by AAMRNet member Lixa will take place in Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney in March – check the dates for your city and book tickets at www.AMRAustralia.com. MRFF Webinar about MRFF Grant Assessment Processes
Join the next MRFF webinar on 15 March 2023. Dr Masha Somi, Chief Executive Officer of the Health and Medical Research Office, will host the webinar and discuss how applications to MRFF grant opportunities are assessed. Topics include the recently refreshed assessment criteria and the other key elements in MRFF grant applications. You will be able to participate in a ‘Questions and Answers’ session after the presentation. Register for the webinar. Watch previous MRFF webinars and videos. MRFF Webinar for Research Administration Officers
Research Administration Officers (RAOs) can join a MRFF Webinar on 30 March 2023. This is the second webinar targeted at supporting RAOs and organisations administering or interested in applying for MRFF grants. MRFF Directors will present on the following topics: consumer involvement and the MRFF; the refresh of the MRFF grant assessment criteria descriptors; and the MRFF monitoring, evaluation and learning strategy. You will be able to participate in a ‘Questions and Answers’ session after the presentation. Register for the webinar. Watch the previous RAO webinar. TGA Reclassifies Psychedelic Substances and MDMA
In a world first, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has reclassified psychedelic substances and MDMA as controlled medicines and granted approval for its use in Australia for people with treatment-resistant depression and treatment resistant post-traumatic stress disorder. From the 1 July 2023, the medical use of MDMA and Psilocybin will be rescheduled from Schedule 9 (prohibited substances) to Schedule 8 (controlled medicines) of the Poisons Standard, enabling authorised psychiatrists to prescribe these substances. Healthcare Start-Ups Summit Pitchfest
In partnership with Zoom and ANDHealth, the Australian Healthcare Week 2023 (15-16 March, ICC Sydney) brings to you the AHW Startups Zone, offering an exclusive opportunity for early-stage healthcare startups and entrepreneurial clinicians to educate 6000+ health care & aged care professionals about your innovative business and the real problems you help to solve. Click here to find out more about how you can get involved at Australia’s largest health care
expo. Sector Snapshot- Cyban’s non-invasive brain monitor demonstrates it delivers equivalent results to invasive brain monitoring In Australian first clinical
trial
- South Australia launches new PhD Program to advance biomanufacturing industry skills and capabilities
- Health Minister Mark Butler announces the retirement of Professor John Skerritt as head of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
- In partnership with Monash University and housing the Monash Victorian Heart Institute, the Victorian Heart Hospital has been launched - it will integrate clinical cardiology services, research and education to create a centre of excellence, raising the profile of cardiovascular research, treatment and
training
- Macquarie Uni will host NSW’s $96m RNA pilot vaccine manufacturing facility, after the NSW government confirmed Myeloid Therapeutics as the sole operator
- Congratulations to Australian biotech company Ferronova for securing a further A$11 million to progress the company's nanoparticle platform to assist surgeons to more accurately locate and remove malignant cells during treatment of gastrointestinal and brain tumors
- Congratulations to Inventia Life Science who announced a collaboration with MSD to develop 3D in vitro models that closely mimic the brain for neurodegenerative disease drug discovery using
Inventia’s RASTRUM platform
- Congratulations to FivepHusion who announced a successful Type C Meeting with the FDA regarding the Deflexifol™ clinical development and regulatory paths
- The Australian Research Council (ARC) Research Hub for Connected Sensors for Health was opened at UNSW earlier this month
- Read the BTB Impact Report summarising the progress and impact of 21 projects that have completed MTPConnect's Biomedical Translation Bridge program
- Read the MTPConnect 2022 Annual Report
- Read the MTPConnect report commissioned by the TGA on 'Cell, Gene and Tissue Regulatory Framework in Australia: Stakeholder Perspectives', developed in collaboration with Evohealth
Sector OpportunitiesApplications are now open for the Health and Medical Life Sciences Local Capability Fund round, supporting WA health and medical life sciences businesses to advance their technology through national and international standard accreditation. Applications close at 5pm (AWST) on 8 March 2023. Apply now! If you are
a health innovator or startup building a groundbreaking solution to make radical innovation a reality, apply to be one of 23 deep tech startups showcased at Cicada x Tech23, Australia’s biggest deep tech festival held in July 2023. Apply by 12 April 2023 Are you an early stage digital health innovator ideating or developing your prototype? Apply for ANDHealth's upcoming BRIGHT Ideate seminar, to learn practical skills and receive powerful insights into the innovation and commercialisation process. (27 - 28 March 2023) Researchers are invited to apply for the following MRFF grant funding of $44.8 million for medical research and innovation projects under the Early to Mid-Career Researchers grant opportunity. Guidelines are now available, applications opened 15 February 2023 and close 21 June 2023 The WA Government has launched its latest round of the Innovation Booster Grant for eligible Western Australian-based startups. Apply by 15 March 2023 Applications for NSW Health's Medical Devices Fund, a competitive technology development and commercialisation program, for round 11 are now open until 3 April 2023 CARB-X has announced new funding rounds for three product themes: Oral therapeutics, Vaccines for neonatal sepsis and Gonorrhea products. Watch the 40 mins video to find out more! Submit EOIs from 17 April to 1 May 2023 Round 15 of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) is now open supporting collaborative, cutting-edge research projects in priority areas. With $6M available, Australian researchers can apply for grants of up to $1M for projects. Applications close 15 March 2023 CRC-P Round 14 funding is now open for short-term, industry-led research collaborations. Open to all industry sectors, with a focus on supporting projects in line with Government priorities, including the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) priority areas and the Science and Research priorities. Applications close 2 March 2023 Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) grants – Round 24 is now open, with funding for medium to long-term, industry-led research collaborations. View the website for various closing dates JPIAMR is launching an international call for projects within the framework of the ERA-NET JPIAMR-ACTION. The call for development of innovative strategies, tools, technologies, and methods for diagnostics and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance involves 23 funders from 19 countries with a call budget of €19.1M. Pre-proposals due by 7 March 2023, full proposals due
by 4 July 2023 ATSE has launched IMNIS Ignite, a new postgraduate internship program connecting industry-ready IMNIS Engage alumni with industry-based internships at host organisations. Register your interest The NSW government and Cicada Innovations are providing nationwide access to free online commercialisation training, 'NSW
Deep Tech Commercialisation Program: Foundations'. Register! The successful and long-running Minimum Viable Product (MVP) grant has been expanded. MVP Ventures is one of a suite of initiatives funded by the NSW Government under the Future Economy Fund’s Commercialisation Pathways Program, to drive commercialisation success in NSW.
Applications close 1 December 2026 The Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer's NSW Biosciences Fund
(BioSF) is now open for round one! The Biosciences Fund (BioSF) is a $40 million (providing up to $10 million each year) competitive technology development and commercialisation grant program, which sits under the Commercialisation Pathways Program. Applications close 20 March 2023. Register for the information session, NSW Biosciences Fund and NSW Physical Sciences Fund, being held on 2 March 2023 ARIIA Grants Round 5 is now open! Do you have a high-quality research project that addresses important gaps in aged care workforce capability, knowledge and will benefit the sector? Apply before 28 April 2023 Expressions of interest are now open for the UNSW's SynBio 10x accelerator for 2023 - for any SynBio start-up in Australia that harnesses entrepreneurial experience and R&D capabilities to accelerate SynBio or Biotech product development and commercialisation Keep up with funding opportunities and subscribe to MRFF newsletter, Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. It’s a monthly newsletter, plus special announcements when new grant opportunities open - Do you have a great idea for a medical or assistive device and need R&D assistance? Connect with MDPP - supported by REDI
Subscribe to gemaker's Monthly Insights newsletter for researchers, inventors and innovative
businesses List your medtech organisation on MDPP's online Capability Directory Report a Trade Barrier through the Trade Barriers Register
REDI Skills Gap Training and Development Programs on OfferMTPConnect’s Researcher Exchange and Development within Industry (REDI) Initiative, launched in 2020, now boasts 20 industry partners and supports more than 40 training programs to plug the
capacity, capability and experience gaps identified in the MTPConnect REDI Skills Gaps Analysis Reports. The programs listed below, are also featured in a courses brochure and online. Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chain - REDI Supported Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Training, GMP Uplift CBE’s GMP Uplift Programs have launched, and our first cohorts of participants are getting ready to finish and graduate. Register now.
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Uplift –
Essential Program: a 5-day equivalent training program for new entrants into GMP related roles for those involved in human health. More about the Essentials program.
- CBE’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Uplift – Advanced Program: a wholly online series of self-paced learning courses coupled with facilitated webinars from CBE subject matter experts. Read more about the Advanced Program.
Business Operations Clinical Trials - ARCS Foundations Bootcamp - Essentials of clinical trial design for non-clinical trial specialists) - Medical Devices or Medicines. Designed for Australian MTP start-ups and SMEs developing medical devices or medicines. These bootcamps will provide practical education on incorporating regulatory and reimbursement needs for both domestic and international markets into the development plans to facilitate potential earlier market access of medical devices and medicines. Register your interest. Brisbane (2-10 March 2023)
- ARCS Grow Program (CRA training program). Register your interest
- The PRAXIS Australia Clinical Trials Coordinator (CTC) Internship Program aims to equip new CTCs with the skills needed in Australia’s clinical trials landscape through leading-edge training. Interns will receive a stipend to assist with living expenses for the duration of the program. Apply via PRAXIS Australia website
Health Data and Cybersecurity Product Development and Commercialisation Skills - Biointelect - The Venturer training program – one day program designed for those looking
to leverage external funding to accelerate commercialisation of their solution or technology Happening Melbourne (9th March), Perth (23 March), Sydney (6 April), Brisbane (20 April)
- The Bridge Program 2023 – Suited to mid-career professionals from a pharmaceutical biotech background looking to expand their commercialisation knowledge and networks. (Applications close 28 February 2023)
- BRIGHT Ideate and Innovate workshops from ANDHealth on 27 & 28 March 2023!
Applications close 14 March 2023. Learn more and register
- MedTech Accelerator program is designed to provide start-ups and entrepreneurs in the medical technology industry with the resources and support they need to bring their innovative
products and services to market. Apply by 3 March 2023 and be part of the cutting-edge community of MedTech innovators and leaders.
- Australian Clinical Entrepreneur program – aims to
upskill clinicians and accelerate innovation by developing the entrepreneurial and innovation mindset of Australia's healthcare professionals to create positive change for the Australian healthcare system. Opens 15 May 2023. Register your interest
Events- 1 March 2023 - TGA Post-Market Requirements for SaMD – Manufacturers/ Sponsors
Responsibilities, ANDHealth (online)
- 2 March 2023 - Information Session - NSW Biosciences Fund and NSW Physical Sciences Fund, NSW Govt (Online)
- 7 March 2023 - NSW BioCheers at CSIRO, AusBiotech (Sydney)
- 7 - 9 March 2023 - Science Meets Parliament 2023, Science and Technology Australia (Canberra) (online)
- 10 March 2023 - NSW Women in Life Sciences Luncheon, AusBiotech (Sydney)
- 15 March 2023 - QLD BioCheers with CSIRO, AusBiotech (Dutton Park, QLD)
- 15 March 2023 - MRFF webinar: Learn about MRFF grant assessment processes, Aust Govt (Online)
- 15-16 March 2023 - Australian Healthcare Week 2023, (Sydney)
- 16 March 2023 - AHW Startups Zone and Pitchfest, (Sydney)
- 21 March 2023 - 2023 mRNA Lecture Series - Lecture 2, mRNA & BioMelbourne Network (Melbourne)
- 22 March 2023 - Science Meets Parliament On The Hill at Parliament House and National Press Club Address, Science and Technology Australia (Canberra)
- 22 March 2023 - Business Insights Series – How to Raise Capital, WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub/Moore Australia (Perth)
- 23 March 2023 - Building the SABRE Biosecurity
Alliance, Science Meets Parliament (Canberra)
- 23 March 2023 - SA Insights: Featuring Avance Clinical & Agilex, MTPConnect Adelaide Intermediary Program (Adelaide)
- 28 March 2023 - WA Spotlight Series: Australian Clinical Trials Alliance, WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub (Perth)
- 29 March 2023 - SA BioCheers with CSIRO, AusBiotech (Adelaide, SA)
- 30 March 2023
- MRFF Webinar for Research Administration Officers, Aust. Govt (Online)
- 20 April 2023 - SA Insights: Featuring Fertilis, MTPConnect Adelaide Intermediary Program (Adelaide)
- 2 May 2023 - 2023 mRNA Lecture Series - Lecture 3, mRNA & BioMelbourne Network (Melbourne)
- 10 - 12 May 2023 - BioKorea 2023 (Seoul, South Korea)
- 18 May 2023 - SA Insights: Featuring SAiGENCI, MTPConnect Adelaide Intermediary Program (Adelaide)
- 24 - 25 May 2023 - AusMedtech 2023, AusBiotech (Adelaide)
- 6 June 2023 - 2023 mRNA Lecture Series - Lecture 4, mRNA Victoria & BioMelbourne Network (Melbourne)
- 5 - 8 June
2023 - BIO International Convention, Biotechnology Innovation Org (Boston, USA)
- 6 - 7 June 2023 - Digital Health Festival (Melbourne)
- 6 - 8 June 2023 - ARCS Annual Conference 2023 - Abstracts open, ARCS (Sydney)
- 15 June 2023 - SA Insights: Featuring NovaEye, MTPConnect Adelaide Intermediary Program (Adelaide)
- 16 - 21 July - Genetics and Genomics Conference
(Melbourne)
- 27 - 30 July 2023 - BIOAsia - Taiwan (Taiwan)
- 9 - 11 October 2023 - The MedTech Conference (Anaheim, USA)
- 30 October 2023 - AusBioInvest 2023, AusBiotech
(Melbourne)
- 30 - 31 October 2023 - MTAA MedTech23 Annual Conference, Medical Technology Association of Australia (Sydney)
- 1 - 3
November 2023 - AusBiotech 2023, AusBiotech (Brisbane)
To see what industry events are coming up in 2023, visit our events page.
Case Study Showcase - Boosting Funding Success for South Australia's Biomedical SectorMTPConnect's Adelaide Intermediary Program Is providing experienced insights, strategy and mentoring to help progress South Australian start-up innovation along the pipeline towards clinical and commercial success. The program, delivered in partnership with the Adelaide BioMed City and the Government of South Australia, is focused on growing South Australia's health and medical industry sector by fostering collaboration, strategically building capacity and attracting new talent and opportunity across the research, innovation and translation value chain. Read more about how expert discussions and one-on-one mentoring with MTPConnect and its Adelaide Intermediary
Program is helping biomedical start-ups like Sementis Ltd and Ferronova Pty Ltd to prepare CRC-P grant applications to the federal Cooperative Research Centre Project (CRC-P) program.
Cover Biomedical supports the growth of the medical device and medtech manufacturing industry in Australia. Their streamlined approach to navigating regulations and compliance helps med-tech businesses scale up faster. They are process, outcome, and efficiency focused. Learn more in our Sector Directory.
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