MTP Connection | June 2025
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Message from the CEO
The funding comes from our Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) program and aims to help companies scale in our backyard rather than offshore.
The 14 projects have attracted more than $17 million in additional industry contributions. Combined with MTPConnect’s investment, it’s a near $30 million down payment on the future of Australia’s brilliant life science innovators.
To boost their chances of success, we are also backing the investment by connecting the funded companies to industry expertise through our unique partnership with CSL and Roche Diagnostics.
We’re particularly pleased that 50 per cent of the funded SMEs are led by women which is well above the representation of women in senior management (26%) or CEO roles (10%) within STEM industries in Australia.
And brilliant to see the Minister for Health and Ageing, Hon The Mark Butler MP, announce the effort to millions of viewers around Australia on 9News last night, with the story featuring Endo Axiom’s development of an oral smart insulin for diabetes.
Congratulations to the successful companies – we look forward to working with you over the coming years to advance the translation and commercialisation of your innovation to help patients, carers, families and communities.
We’re back from Boston and another big BIO conference, probably one of the most important for many years. Given global uncertainties and unpredictable business conditions, it was fantastic to see a near 500-strong contingent of Australians showcasing our country’s outstanding medical research, clinical trials and advanced manufacturing capabilities to the world.
Building new and durable connections and partnerships is critical for navigating the upended global trade order and our events and value-add activities delivered in spades.
Our sold-out two-day site visit program linked participants to the Boston life sciences ecosystem while our Australian Business and Networking Welcome Reception at the Museum of Science on the shore of the Charles River connected Australians with guests from around the world including South Korea, Taiwan, Argentina, New Zealand, Singapore, China, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Ireland, France, Portugal and of course the US.
And the high-profile Australian Pavilion with a prime position in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Centre hosted thousands of visitors, partnering meetings and biotech discussions.
We also came together with our partners from South Korea and California for a collaborative seminar at the Korean Pavilion, highlighting the opportunities of running clinical trials in Australia, Korea and California. Thanks to C&R Research, Agilex Biolabs, CatalystBIO and our friends at BioCom California and the Korean Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI).
And for a highlight of our BIO activities, we gathered on the 58th floor of the tallest building in Boston for our Women in Life Sciences Leadership Forum with two powerful keynotes from Genentech's Kate Liebelt and BlissBio Health's Gloria Vanderham!
It was truly a Team Australia effort, across industry and government, and it wouldn’t happen without our dedicated partners and sponsors. So heartfelt thanks to the state governments of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Austrade, CSIRO and AusBiotech. And for their generous support of our BIO activities, thanks to Moderna, along with Arrotex Pharmaceuticals, CSL, Cytiva, Global Pharma Solutions, Novartis, Nutromics and Sanofi.
And our Chair, Hon Jaala Pulford and I would like to personally thank our team who gave 100% to make our many BIO activities a success – Jo Glew, Jarrod Belcher, Dr Tracey Wilkinson, Dana Bell and Santhni Subramaniam.
I would like to give a shoutout to Atmo Biosciences, a company funded and supported by MTPConnect through our BMTH accelerator. They’ve just secured U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance which means their ingestible gas sensing capsule to aid diagnosis of gut motility disorders will be commercially available in the US from July. It’s been a 15-year journey for this Melbourne-born startup out of RMIT University, and, like so many, the company’s commercialisation story is one of determination and collaboration.
It is a great example of what can be achieved with strategic funding and expert accelerator support, dovetailing with curated US and international market programs that tackle regulatory approvals and reimbursement.
It is a proven model and a pathway our new TTRA awardees are embarking on and we look forward to future successes.
Now we are gearing up to join a trade mission to BIO Asia-Taiwan in Taipei later in July where we are delighted to be working with the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Promotion Office (BPIPO) from Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs.
And we have just opened registrations for our trade mission to The Medtech Conference in San Diego in October. Join our extensive visit and event program based around San Diego’s medtech ecosystem and leverage our in-depth US connections and knowledge. Best of all, 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. MTPConnect has also organised a special Flex Pass Rate for discounted conference registration.
Back home we are kicking off our Pathway to Market - Medtech Capability Uplift Program with the ‘Medtech Selling to HealthMasterclass’ at Bosch Australia Manufacturing Solutions on 3 July, helping Victorian SME medtech manufacturers position themselves competitively for local health procurement opportunities. Register now.
This month on the MTPConnect Podcast you will find our final episode featuring innovators taking part in our Australian Clinical Entrepreneurs Program (AUSCEP) delivered with ASME. NSW applications are now open for the AUSCEP program so listen in to find out why the program is making such an impact. The podcast also features an inspiring interview with co-founders of Brisbane-based Laronix who have developed a world-first smart, wearable electronic voicebox giving cancer survivors their voice back – a natural sounding voice, that is now available in US and Australia.
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
MTPConnect’s TTRA Program Invests $12M to Support Homegrown Heart Disease and Diabetes Innovations
MTPConnect is injecting $12.07 million to back 14 homegrown life science companies developing new medical devices and drugs that aim to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease and complications of diabetes. The funding comes from MTPConnect’s Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) Drugs and Devices program, an initiative of the Medical Research Future Fund. Read the Minister for Health and Ageing The Hon Mark Butler's announcement. MTPConnect CEO Stuart Dignam said this funding injection is critical to backing Australian innovations to tackle these significant chronic health problems and scale in our backyard rather than offshore. Read on...
MTPConnect Champions Australian Life Sciences at BIO in Boston
Ahead of BIO 2025, MTPConnect led a two-day site visit program with a 50-strong Australian delegation exploring the Boston bio ecosystem and visiting connections at Cytiva, MIT's The Engine, Novartis and CSL. We supported the American Australian Association BIO 2025 Dinner. Our Welcome Reception saw 500+ guests from
Australia and around the world gather at Boston's Museum of Science to connect Australian companies with international connections. At the BIO Convention we created a stand-out Australian Pavilion which was a hub for meetings and connections at this premier global life sciences industry event. We kicked off a collaborative seminar at the Korean Pavilion, highlighting the opportunities of running clinical trials in Australia, Korea and California. Our third Women in Life Sciences Leadership event hosted by our Chair The Hon
Jaala Pulford celebrated the ever-growing contribution of women in life sciences, in Australia and around the world. And we also caught up with our Taiwan partners. A huge thank you for the support and partnership from the state governments of NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. The Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), CSIRO Australia’s National Science Agency, and AusBiotech. We also had fantastic industry support from Novartis, Cytiva, Sanofi, CSL, Arrotex Pharmaceuticals, Nutromics and Global Pharma Solutions. A special episode of the MTPConnect Podcast will be out soon!
Join Our Medtech Selling to Health Masterclass
Are you a Victorian medtech company keen to get your medtech product into public hospitals and health services or expand your existing market share? This face-to-face Masterclass is designed for market ready and in-market Victorian medtech companies looking to understand how local health procurement really works. This event is part of MTPConnect’s Pathways to Market: Medtech Capability Uplift Program. Join us on 3 July 2025 at Bosch Australia Manufacturing Solutions, Clayton Victoria. Register now!
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. Fees apply. Register now.
New AUSCEP Program in NSW - Apply Now!
We're thrilled to announce that applications are now open for 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! Apply before 21 July 2025. Commences 16 September 2025.
MTPConnect Podcast Showcases Clinical Entrepreneurs
This month, we wrap our special podcast series dedicated to the Australian Clinical Entrepreneur Program (AUSCEP) in a chat with Ibrahim Samaan, a senior physiotherapist and Managing Director of Purifas, an award-winning company developing and manufacturing clinically proven hygienic products for allied healthcare, including a new recyclable hospital linen. And in episode #197 we hear from sibling team, Dr Farzaneh Ahmadi and Dr Mousa Ahmadi, who are behind the pioneering Brisbane-based medtech company, Laronix, helping cancer
survivors find their voice with a world-first wearable bionic voice device that requires no surgery.
Register your interest for the Australia Biotech Mission to BIO Asia-Taiwan
This leading Asian biotech event taking place 23-27 July 2025, is where Australian companies have been highly effective in unlocking business opportunities and connecting with key industry players. Register to join Austrade’s pre-conference activities and make the most of the Australian pavilion, supported by MTPConnect. Plus, save the date for Australia-Taiwan Biotech Collaboration Forum and Networking Reception on 23 July 2025.
SA Tackles Innovation in Antimicrobial Resistance
Join our Adelaide Intermediary Program for a special event, Global Minds, Local Breakthroughs: Fuelling Innovation in Antimicrobial Resistance | Bridging global expertise with South Australia’s ingenuity to tackle antimicrobial resistance and hear from leading experts from MTPConnect's AARMNet, CARB-X and GSK, focusing on efforts to translate AMR research to fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). On 14 July at SAHMRI, Adelaide.
SA Insights Explores 'What's Your Place in Space?'
Join MTPConnect’s Adelaide Intermediary Program for a special edition of the SA Insights Series for Australian Space Week, showcasing South Australia’s growing role as the nation’s space state and the emerging opportunities for the life sciences sector. Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg will open the event and MTPConnect's Dr Santhni Subramaniam will lead a fireside chat with experts working at the intersection of space and human health research and innovation. On 17 July 2025, Not to be missed!
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 Event Welcomes Singapore Life Science Organisations
The WA Life Sciences Innovation is hosting a welcome reception, bringing together visiting Singaporean health and medical life sciences companies with WA's life sciences ecosystem for a special WA Spotlight event. The event is brought to you by Invest and Trade WA, Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub, ACE.SG and Spacecubed. On 21 July 2025 in Perth, WA. Register!
Congratulations to Professor Sharath Sriram on being named Western Australia's new Chief Scientist
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FivepHusion announces successful completion of Phase 1 component of the Deflexifol® at Relapse Trial (DART) in paediatric brain cancer
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Atmo Bioscience’s ingestible capsule has received US FDA regulatory clearance, paving the way for it to be marketed and sold in the US from July onwards to aid diagnosis of gut motility disorders such as gastroparesis & slow transit constipation. This follows a successful multi-site (US and Australia), pivotal clinical study. MTPConnect’s BioMedTech Horizons accelerator program backed Atmo’s innovation project back in 2020 to support commercial development of this innovation for gastrointestinal dysfunction.
MTPConnect is supporting international conference delegations and events in 2025!
Mark your calendars for The Medtech Conference 2025!
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.
Applications are now open for the WILD Leadership Circles Program. The program is a strengths-based, peer coaching and connection program designed for STEM leaders ready to unleash their potential and forge impactful, rewarding careers. Apply before 16 June 2025.
Expressions of Interest are now open for round two of the CUREator+ Dementia & Cognitive Decline incubator program, a partnership between ANDHealth, Brandon BioCatalyst and Dementia Australia. Submit an EOI before 10 July 2025.
EOIs for the Western Australian Businesses Supply (Design, Manufacture, and Supply) of Medical Products are now open for local businesses capable of designing, manufacturing, and supplying high usage low complexity products to increase participation by WA based manufacturers in supply to WA Health. Closing 11 July 2025.
Attend the Australia Regulatory Device Summit 2025 (17-18 July 2025 at ICC Sydney) hosted by MTAA and RAPS - the first global regulator event in Australia featuring international and local regulators & MedTech leaders. Use our discount code “PARTNER25” to receive a $350 discount on your ticket!
Applications for the MedTech Actuator Global Pitch Showdown are now open! The Global Pitch Showdown will bring the world's boldest healthtech startups to pitch live at the MedTech Actuator Showcase in Osaka, Japan in September 2025, with one winner taking home first prize of JP¥5,000,000 (~US$35,000) presented by OCCI. Apply before 22 July, 2025. Join an info session on 1 July to learn all about the program.
Genesys Electronics Design have launched their 2025 Genesys MedTech Grant. It offers Genesys’ leading-edge MedTech product development capabilities to start-ups and scaleups, with the successful applicants receiving $20,000 in value of engineering services. Closes 11 July 2025.
Nominations for the 2025 MTAA Industry Awards are now open - including three new exciting awards: Tech4Health - digital health award, Leader in Greennovation - environmental impact award and the MedTech Compass Award - for start-ups, early stage and small businesses. Nominate by 23 July 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.
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.
Digital Health innovators looking for a place to work in the Melbourne CBD need to 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.
Events
- 3 July 2025 - Pathway to Market Masterclass, MTPConnect (Melbourne)
- 14 July 2025 - Global Minds, Local Breakthroughs: Fuelling Innovation in Antimicrobial Resistance, AAMRNet, CARB-X, MTPConnect (Adelaide)
- 17 July 2025 - SA Insights: What's your place in Space? Adelaide Intermediary Program (Adelaide)
- 17–18 July 2025 - Australia Regulatory Device Summit, MTAA (Sydney)
- 21 July 2025 - WA Spotlight Event: ACE.SG Delegation Welcome Reception, WA Hub (Perth)
- 22 July 2025 - The Medtech Edge: Integrating IP and Commercialisation, VMH (Melbourne)
- 23–27 July 2025 - Australia Biotech Mission to BIO Asia-Taiwan, Austrade (Taiwan)
- 4 August 2025 - Micro-credential: Create Healthcare Solutions from Existing AI Tools, Uni of Melbourne (Online)
- 13 August 2025 - Workshop: Protect, Partner, Profit, WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub & Springboard Medical Manufacturing Alliance (Perth)
- 5–8 October 2025 - The MedTech Conference, AdvaMed (San Diego, US)
- 8–10 October 2025 - BioJapan, (Yokohama, Japan)
- 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)
To see what events are coming up in 2025, visit our events page.
Case Study Showcase | Real-time Imaging Device Designed to Get Breast Conserving Surgery Right the First Time
Our Clinical Translation and Commercialisation Medtech (CTCM) accelerator program is supporting innovative companies with non-dilutive funding and expertise to commercialise their medtech innovations. Find out how this support helped OncoRes Medical to complete its first nationwide clinical trial and progress development of its medical imaging device that could revolutionise breast cancer surgery. CTCM is an initiative of the Medical Research Future Fund. Read the case study!
