Message from the CEO

Diving into 2025, MTPConnect’s team is working on several exciting initiatives and opportunities to help drive Australian life science innovations and support start-ups and SMEs.

We are continuing to advocate for increased action on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and a stronger policy response from the Australian Government. As co chair, with Andrew Bowskill, of the Australian Antimicrobial Resistance Network (AAMRNet), I am pleased that we have been able to put forward another pre-budget submission to the Australian government outlining a $135 million four-year action plan to help protect Australia and our Pacific neighbours from the escalating pandemic of AMR. This involves establishing an AMR-focused accelerator in Australia and investing in a pilot subscription fund for new antimicrobials.

We have also been busy with AusBiotech preparing a joint pre-budget submission for the 2025-26 Budget, calling for investment for strategic initiatives to grow our life sciences sector – more on that next week.

And for those looking to make plans for the year, we have developed a program of international conference delegations, site visits and activities for 2025 to help you and your company access international markets and global supply chains. The idea is to put you in front of international customers, investors and partners.

If you are planning to attend BIO in Boston this year, save the date for the MTPConnect Top Level BIO2025 Visit Program from 12- 13 June 2025. Registrations will open in March and places are limited so get in early.

Then mark your diary for The MedTech Conference in San Diego in early October. We are creating a valuable two-day site visit program for medtech startups and SMES, on 2 -3 October 2025, so plan to be in San Diego early for this. Register your interest in joining this next level medtech delegation!

As podcasts continue to grow in popularity as a source of news and entertainment, we are delighted to launch the Season 7 of the MTPConnect Podcast. We have big plans to bring you guests from around Australia and beyond who are behind some of the life-saving innovations and new medical products making headlines. In case you missed it, check out our chat with the inspirational Dr Daniel Timms on creating the first successful total artificial heart.

Look out for a new podcast episode coming with leading stroke and cardiovascular experts Professor Geoff Donnan and Professor Jason Kovacic on some of the innovations being developed through the Australian Stroke and Heart Research Accelerator’s (ASHRA) transformational research portfolio (made possible through our TTRA program, a Medical Research Future Fund initiative).

There are also a number of events coming up in February to take part in. In Perth, join us for an evening with Dr Shirley Bowen, WA Health Director General, for the year’s first WA MTP Sector Spotlight on 26 February. Our first SA Insight Series event for 2025 kicks off on 27 February with ‘Unleashed: SA’s health investment champions share inside scoop’ where South Australia's top investment champions will reveal the secrets to transforming medical innovations – don’t miss it.  

In other news, we are delighted to welcome Louise Moloney on board as Events Manager, based in our Melbourne office.

We hope you continue to enjoy our regular newsletter and stay connected to opportunities, events and more.

Kind regards,

Stuart Dignam
Chief Executive Officer 

MTPConnect & Industry News

Start Making Plans with MTPConnect’s 2025 Conference Calendar
MTPConnect has developed a program of international conference delegations, site visits and activities for 2025 to help you and your company access international markets and global supply chains. And save the date –12 - 13 June 2025 – for the MTPConnect Top Level BIO2025 Visit Program. Registrations opening soon in March. 

MTPConnect Podcast Kicks into 7th Season in February
Join us as we connect you with the people behind the life-saving innovations driving Australia’s growing life sciences sector – from bench to bedside for better health and wellbeing. Follow us!

AAMRNet Calls for an AMR Action Package in Pre-Budget Submission
Continuing its advocacy for increased action on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the Australian Antimicrobial Resistance Network (AAMRNet) has lodged its pre-budget submission, seeking a stronger policy response from the Australian Government and calling for a four-year, $135 million ‘AMR action package’...

SA Insights Kicks off 2025 with SA's Health Investment Champions
Join Adelaide Intermediary Program's first SA Insights session for 2025 on Thursday 27 February for an exclusive one-hour panel exploring investment opportunities in life sciences, medtech, pharma, and biotech. Book your seat! 

WA Hub Kicks off 2025 Spotlight Featuring Dr Shirley Bowen
Join the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub on 26 February 2025 for an evening with WA Health Director General Dr Shirley Bowen and hear about WA Health’s innovation and research activities.

WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub Survey
If you're in WA, take our survey about the work of the WA Hub in 2024. Your feedback will help prepare the 2025 program of activities. Survey only takes 3-5 minutes. 

Register for new Victorian Commercialisation Training Program
If you are a researcher in a Victorian medical research institute you can register for a new training program, 'Commercialisation Training for Medical and Med Tech Researchers' led by AAMRI VIC in partnership with Swinburne University of Technology and MTPConnect. The second cohort runs March 3rd – May 26th 2025.

Consider Attending BioCom California's Partnering and Investor Conference
Biocom California’s 3 day Global Life Science Partnering & Investor Conference on Feb 25-27 2025 brings 600 people together including investors, representatives from the multinational strategics and C-suites from emerging companies with the aim of progressing deals. Find out more!

Shaping the Next Generation of Scientists through CSIRO's UROP
CSIRO's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) facilitates biomedical undergraduate student placements with biomedical research programs in Victoria. Research supervisors and undergraduates interested in taking part in a placement can submit an application. 

MTPConnect Team Update
We are delighted to welcome Louise Maloney to MTPConnect as Events Manager, based in Melbourne.

MTPConnect's 2024 Annual Report Out Now
Take a look and find out how MTPConnect has contributed to over $1.9 billion flowing into Australia’s life sciences sector

Congratulations to the 8 startups, including Oncores Medical, awarded a total of $18.5M through Cureator+ first funding round.

Vaxxas selected as stage winner of US BARDA Prize to advance microarray patches for vaccination receiving AU$3.2M.

GSK Australia welcomes the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval of Omjjar. 

The Australian Government’s National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) has announced a $32 million equity investment in Harrison.ai.

Telix has acquired an American radiopharmacy network RLS (USA) Inc. (RLS; RLS Radiopharmacies).

Oceanographer, chemist and entrepreneur Emeritus Professor Tony Haymet has been appointed as Australia’s tenth Chief Scientist, taking over from Dr Cathy Foley. 
 

Save the date! 
MTPConnect is supporting international conference delegations and events in 2025!

Sector Opportunities

• 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.

• Showcase your medtech innovation at AusBiotech MedtechInvest in Sydney on 6 May 2025. Apply to be an investee. 
   
• NSW Heath and Cicada Innovations' Industry-Specific MedTech Commercialisation Courses are now open, focusing on Medical Devices, Software as a Medical Device, Pharmaceuticals & Therapeutics and Diagnostics
   
• Applications are open now for this year's NSW Health Software as a Medical Device Specialisation Course, 1-3 April 2025, delivered in partnership by Cicada Innovations and ANDHealth (Hybrid program)
   
• If you are a healthtech startup, apply for a FREE place in the Luminax Accelerator - providing comprehensive support to ten healthtech startups, including the investment, networks, and resources required to build globally successful companies. Based from the 2025 Gold Coast Health & Knowledge Precinct - apply by 7 March 2025, and join an info session on 6 or 27 February.
   
• AAMRI is calling for Early-Mid Career Researchers in Victoria interested in taking part in a new commercialisation training program supported by MTPConnect and Swinburne University of Technology. Places are FREE but limited - register for the 2025 program 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
   
• Looking for a place to work in the Melbourne CBD? Check out CHICC, a free community hub for digital & connected health innovators powered by ANDHealth and supported by the Victorian Government. Access free resources, workshops, hot desks, meeting rooms and more while connecting and collaborating with industry peers. 
   
• Industry partners can host an RMIT student for a Science Undergraduate Project. Submit your project proposal
   
• Industry partners can host an RMIT Master of Biotechnology intern in your organisation. Submit an internship proposal
   
• BioElevate by Jumar Bioincubator  is a 2-day hands-on workshop in Melbourne designed to guide you through the commercialisation process step-by-step. Be part of the next cohort in May 2025 and submit an EOI.
   
• The Innovation Fellowships 2024-25 program is designed to encourage talented Western Australians to enhance their innovation knowledge, skills and experience, in conjunction with experts who will supervise and mentor them, while developing an innovation of significance to the health and/or wellbeing of the WA community. Closes 21 February 2025
   
• The Innovative Solutions – Precision Health program supports the development and advancement of precision health innovations of significance to the health and/or wellbeing of the WA community. Apply by 27 March 2025
   
• Start-ups and entrepreneurs in the Northern Territory - apply now for the Business Innovation Program and receive government grant funding, advisory services from a pre-approved advisor, and expenses incurred in commercialising your innovation. Apply by 30 June 2025
   
• The Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Enabling Scheme aims to increase the scale and excellence of health and medical research and innovation in WA by supporting accessible local infrastructure. Applications close 4 March 2025
   
• 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, just apply
   
• 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
   
• Take your research project to the next level and apply to CSIRO’s ON Prime program – applicant briefing sessions being held now 
   
• 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

Events​

• 11 February 2025 - 2025 BioMelbourne Network Women in Leadership Awards Ceremony  (Hybrid)
• 12–13 February 2025 - Science Meets Parliament 2025, Science & Technology Australia (Canberra)
• 25–27 February 2025 - Global Life Science Partnering & Investor Conference, BioCom California (La Jolla, California US)
• 26 February 2025 - An Evening with Dr Shirley Bowen, WA Hub (Perth)
• 27 February 2025 - AusBiotech VIC BioCheers with CSIRO (Melbourne)
• 27 February 2025 - SA Insights, Unleashed: SA's health investment champions share inside scoop (Adelaide)
• 7 March 2025 - Women in Life Sciences Luncheon, AusBiotech (Sydney)
• 12–13 March 2025 - ARC APAC Summit 2025 (Melbourne) 
• 18–19 March 2025 - Life Sciences Summit, Biotech NZ & NZTech (Wellington, New Zealand)
• 7–9 May 2025 - BIO KOREA Conference (Seoul, Korea)
• 16 May 2025 - Connecting Women Lunch, BioMelbourne Network (Melbourne)
• 19 May 2025 - BPD Annual Conference (Sydney)
• 16–19 June 2025 - BIO Convention (Boston, USA)
• 5–8 October 2025 - The MedTech Conference (San Diego, USA)
• 19–22 October 2025 - HLTH Conference (Las Vegas, USA)
• 22–23 October 2025 - MTAA Medtech Conference (Sydney) 

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

Case Study Showcase | REDI Fellow's Cancer Detection Work Prompts Austrian Medtech To Set Up Australian Subsidiary To Extend Collaborations

Leading medtech TissueGnostics is based in Vienna, Austria, with satellite offices in the US, Europe and South Africa. The company was so impressed with the work of its REDI Fellow, Professor Jyotsna Batra, that it set up an Australian subsidiary to maintain and grow connections with Australian biotech researchers. Find out how REDI Fellow Professor Batra brought in expertise in cell staining and clinical workflows that helped the company to develop knowledge of working with reagents.