MTPConnect and Confederation of Indian Industry sign MoU to boost collaboration and growth

30 August 2017

MTPConnect – the Medical Technologies, Biotechnologies and Pharmaceuticals Industry Growth Centre – and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) – a not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organisation playing a proactive role in India's development process – have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work collaboratively to boost the innovative medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors in India and Australia.

The MoU was signed during Australia-India Business week in New Delhi, by MTPConnect Chair and CEO of Standards Australia, Dr Bronwyn Evans, and Ms Amita Sarkar, Deputy Director General, CII.

An Austrade-led delegation focusing on innovation in digital health and life sciences is visiting New Delhi and Bangalore for Australia-India Business Week from Monday 28 August to Friday 1 September 2017, with 24 participants from organisations including Anatomics, CSIRO, Monash University, National Australia Bank, Semacare, The George Institute, and Dr Evans on behalf of Standards Australia and MTPConnect.

The MoU will bring the two organisations together to support activities such as inbound and outbound missions, exchanging key information on issues and trends, introductions and in-market support in both countries, and joint events and projects.

Dr Evans praised the MoU as an important milestone, linking the two organisations work in industry engagement to boost impact for both the health sector and populations in both countries.

“This MoU between Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and MTPConnect is another highly positive step by our two countries in collaborating to set the course for medical innovation in the Asia-Pacific region.

“The partnership will build on the recent MoU between the Indian and Australian governments on cooperation in the field of health and medicine, and the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund, by providing a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration to support the growth of the medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors in our world-leading countries.”

As part of the delegation, Dr Evans spoke on the Australia-India Digital Health Dialogue Panel in New Delhi, and will be presenting Australia’s capabilities at the Australia Innovation Showcase in Life Sciences and Healthcare in Bangalore.

Australia and India have a strong history in health and medical research and collaboration. The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund was established in 2007, with projects including an advanced low cost minimally invasive cardiac assist device. It is Australia’s largest fund dedicated to bilateral research and one of India’s largest sources of support for international science.

In 2017, Prime Ministers Malcolm Turnbull and Narendra Modi signed a MoU on cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine between India and Australia, including focuses on communicable diseases; antimicrobial resistance; regulation of pharmaceuticals, vaccines and medical devices; and digital health.

The digital health and life sciences delegation to India for Australia-India Business Week aims to connect the growing Indian healthcare with Australia’s capabilities and expertise in technologies and services for growth and support. Delegation activities across New Delhi and Bangalore include small-business matching, a panel session on the Australia-India Digital Health Dialogue, government briefings, an Australian innovation showcase, and site visits to Medanta Group and Biocon.