Message from the CEO

Good afternoon,

It’s been a month of celebrating a number of milestones and new initiatives in our life sciences sector and for MTPConnect and the team. 

The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) has marked 10 years since it began supporting health and medical research in Australia. We are honoured to play a part in the MRFF’s journey, working with the Australian Government starting back in 2017 by designing and delivering accelerator programs with impact to boost Australia’s life sciences sector. So far we have invested in 213 cutting edge projects. It’s all about b​acking start-ups, entrepreneurs, and SMEs to bring new medical products from research labs to the market.

And we continue this work, having recently kicked off our newest MRFF-backed accelerator program, Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) Drugs and Devices, by bringing the 14 selected life sciences companies together for the first time in Melbourne, with our impact partners CSL and Roche Diagnostics Australia. The mission is to accelerate their promising drugs and medical devices into products that can reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease and complications of diabetes for patients, carers, families, and community and we are looking forward to supporting their progress over the next few years.

Building on our deep experience delivering competitive funding programs, we have announced the new WA Grants Excellence Service (WAGES) supported by the WA Future Health Research and Innovation Fund. WAGES will focus on improving the competitiveness of WA health and medical research and innovation grant applications to federal funding schemes.  The three-year pilot program will be led by MTPConnect’s Director Stakeholder Engagement WA and WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub Dr Tracey Wilkinson and delivered in partnership with WA-based Synergy Health Solutions.

In South Australia, we brought together more than 30 South Australian CEOs and industry leaders to celebrate the healthtech sector’s contribution to the SA economy. With the theme, ‘Navigating Global Markets: Uncertainty in the US and Opportunities in Emerging Markets’, it set the stage for thought-provoking discussions on scaling, innovation, and global growth opportunities.

We celebrated 150 hours in discussion with 420 fascinating guests over six years, with the release of the 200^th episode of the MTPConnect Podcast. It’s a great episode about advancing life sciences research in Space. For the most recent podcast episode, we take you to our WA Spotlight event in Perth to meet the new Chief Scientist of WA and accomplished nanotech researcher and commercialisation champion Professor Sharath Sriram.

In NSW, the fourth cohort of the Australian Clinical Entrepreneur Program (AUSCEP) launched in Sydney with support from the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI). The highly sought after 12-month program will run until April 2026 providing aspiring clinical entrepreneurs with the skills, networks, and training to lead healthcare transformation.

Continuing our efforts to engage with international markets, we launched MTPConnect’s inaugural life sciences delegation to Saudi Arabia for the Global Health Exhibition (GHE25) taking place in late October.  This is a true first-mover opportunity offering rare access to one of the world’s fastest-growing healthcare markets. We are locking in a great program to explore the growing life science innovation and healthcare market in Saudi Arabia and build new international connections.

And this week the spotlight is on 11 companies and organisations heading to California, the largest life sciences state in the US, to join our annual medtech trade mission for the US Medtech Conference, led by our Chair Hon Jaala Pulford. Since 2017 we’ve been taking an Australian delegation to North America for the Conference, showcasing innovative medtech companies at the Australian Pavilion and providing an add-on program of activities and events to benefit medtech startups with our introductions and strategic connections in the US market, through Biocom California, Medical Alley and more.

Back home we will be holding the Australian Medtech Manufacturing Alliance (AMMA) Medtech Showcase in Melbourne with a curated exhibition of Victorian-made products and innovations from 25 local manufacturers spanning surgical care and diagnostics to everyday consumables and equipment. It’s an opportunity for Victorian industry to engage with health buyers, policy makers and thought leaders. Join us on 16 October 2025 by registering now.

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

Announcing the Delegation to The Medtech Conference in San Diego
A group of 11 Australian companies and organisations are taking part in our medtech delegation to The MedTech Conference (5-8 Oct) in San Diego, to open-up new US market, commercial and collaboration opportunities. Delegates include: Corcillum Pty Ltd, Exa Product Development, Innovate Medtech, Mobius Medical, Molecule2Market, New Medtek Devices, Trade and Investment Queensland and Targeted Translation Research Accelerator with support from Austrade and the State Government of Victoria. Find out more by visiting our Trade Mission Directory.

Join our Inaugural Trade Mission to the Global Health Expo Saudi Arabia
We invite you to join MTPConnect’s inaugural life sciences delegation to Saudi Arabia for the Global Health Exhibition (GHE25), taking place from 26–30 October 2025.  This is a true first-mover opportunity for companies keen to access one of the world’s fastest-growing healthcare markets. 

MTPConnect To Deliver WAGES Program for WA Innovation Sector
MTPConnect welcomes funding awarded from the Western Australian Government to deliver the WA Grant Excellence Service, “WAGES”, supporting WA researchers and innovators to improve the competitiveness of applications to national grant funding programs like the Medical Research Future Fund. Sign up for updates. Read on...

MTPConnect’s Contribution to the Ten Year Medical Research Future Fund Journey
The $24 billion Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) has marked 10 years since it began supporting health and medical research in Australia. MTPConnect is honoured to play a part in the MRFF’s ten year journey bringing early ideas into lifesaving and life changing medical treatments and products. Our skilled team has designed and delivered a number of highly successful accelerator programs awarding funding to Australian innovation projects on behalf of the MRFF, supporting companies and researchers along the way. We were the first to design and deliver a medical research commercialisation program providing non-dilutive investment along with wrap-around acceleration support – an important impact multiplier.

Join the AMMA Medtech Showcase in October!
On behalf of the Australian Medtech Manufacturing Alliance (AMMA), MTPConnect invites you to join the AMMA Medtech Showcase, bringing health and industry together to shape the future of healthcare! This Showcase is an opportunity for Victorian industry to engage with health buyers, policy makers and thought leaders to identify practical solutions that deliver value, resilience, and better patient outcomes. On 16 October 2025, 9am-3.30pm at PARKROYAL, Monash Clayton, Victoria. Register now! 

TTRA Drugs and Devices Accelerator Cohort Launch in Melbourne
This month, we officially kicked off our new Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) Drugs and Devices program, bringing leaders from the cohort’s 14 life science companies together for the first time in Melbourne, along with our Impact Partners CSL and Roche Diagnostics Australia. It was a packed 1.5-day program of making new connections and gaining valuable insights from our outstanding lineup of speakers and panellists, setting these companies and their funded research projects up for success.  

MTPConnect Podcast Introduces New WA Chief Scientist Prof Sriram
This month, we take you to WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub (WALSIH)'s Spotlight event featuring WA’s newly appointed Chief Scientist, Professor Sharath Sriram, in conversation with MTPConnect's Dr Tracey Wilkinson. Professor Sriram shares his vision for science and technology in WA, his ambitions for the three years ahead, and insights from his first few months in the role. Listen now! 

SA Insights:  Exploring Accelerating Medtech Manufacturing
Join MTPConnect’s Adelaide Intermediary Program and discover how Tonsley’s hub for manufacturing and robotics can accelerate medtech innovation with Professor Karen Reynolds, Director of the Medical Device Partnering Program, facilitating a dynamic fireside chat with leaders in advanced manufacturing. Flinders Factory of the Future Operations Director, Philipp Dautel, will join the discussion, providing an overview of the state-of-the-art facility and opportunities for industry engagement. Following the presentation, guests are invited to explore the facility. On 16 October 2025, 5.30pm - 7.30pm ACST. Register!

APPLAUSE25 SA - Save the date! 
Save the date for one of MTPConnect's major events, APPLAUSE25, celebrating South Australia’s achievements in the health and medical innovation sector in 2025!  The end-of-year event will celebrate sector achievements for 2025, connect and inspire the local healthtech community, and share the excitement for 2026 and beyond. Warm-up your hands and get ready to cheer for South Australia’s achievements. Mark your calendars for 20 November 2025 and stay tuned!

ASHRA Partnering Summit - Innovation to Impact
Join Australian Stroke and Heart Research Accelerator (ASHRA) for the 4th ASHRA Partnering Summit, co-hosted with MTPConnect. This year’s theme, Innovation to Impact, will showcase the outcomes of the four-year program supported through the TTRA program - highlighting the breadth of ASHRA’s research translation, featuring flagship project presentations, and bringing together researchers, clinicians and industry partners. On 8 October 2025 at the Victorian Heart Hospital, Clayton. Book your place by 3 October.

AUSCEP Launches the New South Wales 2025 Cohort
The Australian Clinical Entrepreneur Program (AUSCEP) team headed to Sydney for the official launch of the New South Wales Cohort 4. The two-day event kicked off with ASME’s Dr Brandon Carp, with presentations by NSW Health's Andrew Milat and Ann O'Neill. Alumni of the program also joined the event to share their career journeys. The launch wrapped with an evening of networking. Read on and check out the highlight reel! 

CEO Stuart Dignam to Join Australia China BioInnovation Roundtable
Our CEO Stuart Dignam will be joining the Australia China BioInnovation Roundtable as a keynote speaker. The roundtable, convened by Boson Ventures and supported by the Australian China Business Council, will explore the theme: From Innovation to Impact: Partnering with China’s Biotech Ecosystem. Why join? Insights on China biotech trends/regulation; Connect with senior executives, investors, founders and legal experts; contribute to roundtable problem-solving. On 20 October 2025, 11:30am–4:30pm with a hosted networking lunch. RSVP.

WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub Services
WA companies! If you are looking for strategic funding advice to support your applications or de-mystify the funding landscape, book a meeting with the WA Hub.

BMTH Alumni news: Atmo Biosciences' ingestible gas sensing capsule has made initial sales and gained early adoption at USA sites following FDA regulatory clearance. The Atmo Gas Capsule System is now commeatmobiosciences.comrcially available in the USA after obtaining FDA 510(k) regulatory clearance. 

BTB Alumni news: INOVIQ Ltd (ASX:IIQ) licences worldwide rights to ovarian cancer biomarker IP from Uniquest enabling development of potential best-in-class exosome-based test for the early-detection of ovarian cancer.

CTCM Alumni news: Navi Medical Technologies' contribution has been featured in the Medical Research Future Fund's 10-year celebrations. Learn more about their Neonav innovation which is pioneering safer care for newborns needing critical medicines and fluids, supported through our Clinical Translation and Commercialsation Medtech (CTCM)  accelerator program, a MRFF initiative delivered by MTPConnect. Find out more on the MRFF website and in the MRFF newsletter.

The ACADI-initiated Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) Diabetes Service received two major awards at the IPAA Victoria Leadership Awards 2025: Designing Services for People Award and People’s Choice Award. ACADI, the Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovations, was established through MTPConnect's Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) program.

Sector Opportunities

• The 2025 ACvA Excellence in Cardiovascular Research Awards are now open for nominations for outstanding cardiovascular and stroke research. Submit nominations by 31 October 2025

• Expressions of interest are now open for Boson’s China Innovation Tour during the week of 17 November. Meet leading tech companies, investors and policy stakeholders across key hubs. Focus areas: Deep Tech, Biotech, Climate Tech. Places are limited. Register your expression of interest

• Join the MTAA Medtech Conference on 22-23 October 2025 in Sydney and receive a discount on your registration. Select member ticket and enter the code MTPCONNECT to access the member rate. 

• Join Tenmile & Brandon Capital as they host The Healthtech Muster 2025 – Australia’s premier health innovation celebration! Together with partners Prime Financial Group, What the Health & Radium Capital, they’re bringing the health & biotech community together for a night of connection, collaboration, and celebration – all to kick off Australia’s biggest week in biotech. Expect food, drinks, networking, and door prizes. On Monday 20 October 2025 in the Great Room, W Melbourne.👉 Register now – spots are limited.

• ANDHealth+ program is now open for applications from innovative digital and connected health technologies – Intake 1 closes 16 January 2026. Info Session online Zoom webinars are being held on 1 & 8 October 2025.

• Have your voice heard: complete the ANDHealth 2025 Digital & Connected Health Industry Sentiment Survey. Your responses directly inform work with policymakers on the issues that matter most – such as innovation, commercialisation, capital, regulation, reimbursement and procurement – to drive meaningful change and continue to support and mature Australia’s digital and connected health sector. Complete the survey.

• Applications are now open for Therapeutic Innovation Australia's (TIA) Pipeline Accelerator 2025-26 Round 1, a voucher scheme that subsidises the cost of access to a wide range of translational capabilities. In addition to the Pipeline Accelerator, TIA also provides support to access advice from its Cell & Gene Therapy (CGT) research projects through the Technical Feasibility Assessment (TFA) 2025-26 Round 1. The TFAs will provide researchers with much needed direction for initiating translational research, building knowledge of the process and requirements and improving early-stage decisions. Applications close 31 October 2025.

• Round 18 of the Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) grants has opened, providing funding of up to $3 million for short-term, industry-led research collaborations. This round will focus on supporting projects aligned with Government priorities, including the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas and National Science & Research Priorities. Applications with a focus on robotics and automation are particularly encouraged. Matched funding of $100,000 to $3 million for up to three years. Closes 7 October 2025.
   
• Proto Axiom and St Vincent’s Curran Foundation are proud to co-host Challenger Pitch for Health, Australia’s largest pitch day for translational research projects from Australian and New Zealand researchers and start-ups, with $500,000 in grants to be awarded. Find out more and apply to pitch in Sydney in March 2026 -  closes 10 November 2025.
   

• 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.

• WA: Accelerator Program Access Grants (APAG) offer up to $20,000 funding for senior or executive level managers to travel to and participate in recognised national or international incubator, accelerator or business training programs. Programs will close when funding is exhausted. Note: applicants must meet with the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub about their application prior to submission. Find out more

• Nominations for BioMelbourne Network’s 2026 Women in Leadership Awards are open until 14 November 2025. Nominate a leader today.

Events​

• 5–8 October 2025 - The MedTech Conference, AdvaMed (San Diego, US)
• 8 October 2025 - 2025 ASHRA Partnering Summit - Innovation to Impact, Melbourne
• 8–10 October 2025 - BioJapan, (Yokohama, Japan)
• 16 October 2025 - AMMA Medtech Showcase 2025 (Melbourne)
• 16 October 2025 - SA Insight Series, MTPConnect SA (Adelaide)
• 17 October 2025 - Hit ID Symposium 2025, Monash University (Melbourne)
• 19–22 October 2025 - HLTH Conference (Las Vegas, US)
• 20 October 2025 - The Healthtech Muster 2025, What the Health (Melbourne)
• 20 October 2025 - Australia China BioInnovation Roundtable, Boson Ventures (Melbourne)
• 22–23 October 2025 - MTAA Medtech Conference MTAA (Sydney) 
• 21–24 October 2025 - AusBiotech International Conference 2025, AusBiotech (Melbourne)
• 26–30 October 2025 -  Global Health Exhibition GHE25, (Saudi Arabia)
• 27–29 October 2025 - EIS: Evidence & Implementation Summit 2025, (Melbourne)
• 30 October 2025 - Braintech 2025, Braintech Australia (Melbourne)
• 10–14 November 2025 - MTAA Medical Device Regulatory Workshop - TGA led, MTAA (Sydney)
• 20 November 2025 - APPLAUSE 2025, MTPConnect SA (Adelaide)
• 1–5 December 2025 - MTAA Medical Device Regulatory Workshop - TGA led, MTAA (Melbourne)
• 2-3 December 2025 - MTPConnect Accelerator Showcase (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 | From Perth to Providence: Veintech’s Journey from Local Innovation to Global Expansion

Born in Western Australia, and now scaling in Rhode Island, US, VeinTech’s journey from a Perth innovation program to establishing a global presence shows how strategic partnerships can accelerate global expansion.

Dr Katherine Arenson, Dr Nick Buckley and Dr Nikhilesh Bappoo founded VeinTech in 2020 to develop and commercialise a medical device to assist with correctly inserting a cannula into a vein in situations when intravenous access is difficult. Find out how support from  WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub (WALSIH) helped pave the way for the company’s entry into global markets and fuel their next phase of growth.