In Case You Missed It: Here's what the MTPConnect team has been up to this week

15 February 2019

Pictured: AusIndustry's Director - Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Dr Ashley Bates, Accelerating Commercialisation Adviser Dr Elane Zelcer and MTPConnect GM Stakeholder Engagement Dr Alfredo Martinez-Coll at the Melbourne CRC-P Information Session.

Dr Dan Grant - CEO

Dr Dan Grant attended the George Institute’s Frontiers Program Partnering Workshop with a host of national and international collaborators to develop MRFF Frontiers applications.

As a member for the organising committee for the Australian British Health Catalyst (ABHC) 2019, Dan has been working to progress development of an action pact agenda for the event in July in London and Cambridge which will explore key challenges and opportunities for integrated healthcare in a digital world. ABHC represents an ideal opportunity for the Australian MTP sector to engage with leaders in UK and we’ll have more information to share once the program is finalised in the coming weeks.

Dr Alfredo Martinez-Coll - GM Stakeholder Engagement

Throughout February, Alfredo, in partnership with AusIndustry’s EP and AC program, has held CRC-P Information Sessions in Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. The sessions have all been sold out, with attendees keen to hear advice on how to prepare a successful application. Thank you to AusIndustry, who have had representatives at every session, and for their work in helping to organise these successful sessions!

The deadline for applications is 28 March and more information on the latest CRC-P round can be found here. And remember, Alfredo is here to help so engage early and often.

Dr Sandhya Tewari - GM International and Government

Pictured: Federal Minister for Health the Hon. Greg Hunt MP at the Healthy Ageing Summit at Parliament House in Canberra.

Sandhya attended the Healthy Ageing Summit held at the Parliament House in Canberra. Attendees included academic and clinical researchers from across Australia, representatives of the Department of Health, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). Industry leaders also attended, including Life Bioscience which is a Boston-based biotechnology and life sciences company. Health Minister, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, addressed the summit and the Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senior Australians and Aged Care, also attended.

Healthy Ageing is all about maintaining good health for as long as possible. The World Health Organisation recently implemented an extension code for ageing-related diseases which is being seen as an acknowledgement of ageing as a major disease risk factor and research into the diseases of ageing has been highlighted in the 12 research and innovation priorities set by the Medical Research Future Fund.

Elizabeth Stares – Director Major Projects

This week Elizabeth has been working with the MTPConnect project partners to review their Quarterly Reports. To date MTPConnect has received over $11 million as matched funding and over $6 million as in-kind contributions into our co-funded MTPConnect projects.

Elizabeth is also in the process of developing the ‘MTPConnect Project Network’ as an additional option when individuals sign up to join the MTPConnect network. This will allow us to better target information about training and funding opportunities to people with specific interests in these areas. Join our Network here and make sure you follow us on Twitter @MTPConnect_AUS.

A/Prof Kevin Pfleger - Director Stakeholder Engagement for WA

Kevin has been very busy meeting with many stakeholders around Perth as he settles into his new role. Following on from the oversubscribed CRC-P Information Session on 6 February, the MTPConnect WA Hub is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the Healthcare Immersive Technologies Symposium on 7 March.