In Case You Missed It: Here's what the MTPConnect team has been up to in June
28 June 2019
Pictured: MTPConnect Managing Director & CEO Dr Dan Grant with WA BIO delegates (L-R): Deputy Premier & Health Minister Roger Cook MLA, WA Chief Scientist Prof Peter Klinken, Debra Cousins, A/Prof Kevin Pfleger and others at the UC Science Center in West Philadelphia.
BIO International Convention
At the beginning of June, the MTPConnect team travelled to Philadelphia with AusBiotech, Medicines Australia and Austrade as part of the largest ever Australian delegation to the BIO International Convention. As well as some of Australia’s leading MTP companies, the Australian delegation consisted of state government representatives from WA, QLD, NSW, VIC and SA, including WA Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Hon. Roger Cook MLA, QLD Minister for Innovation Hon Kate Jones MP, WA Chief Scientist Peter Klinken, NSW Office of Health and Medical Research’s Anne O’Neill, Professor Ian Frazer from the MRFF and more! Check out some members of the delegation and special guests on our BIO podcast episode.
BioMedTech Horizons
The second round of the BioMedTech Horizons program is open for expressions of interest. It’s a $45 million program which makes funding available for SMEs to develop new health biological and medical technologies to reach proof-of-concept so they are attractive for private capital investment and commercialisation. For this round we’re focusing on four therapeutic areas – ophthalmology, cardiovascular, orthopaedics and emergency medicine/trauma. You have until 15 July to submit your EOI and you can check out the guidelines at our dedicated BMTH page.
Biomedical Translation Bridge Information Sessions
We wrapped up our Australia-wide Biomedical Translation Bridge (BTB) program information sessions this month, along with our partners BioCurate, UniQuest, the Medical Device Partnering Program and the Bridge and BridgeTech programs. Whether by road or air, we enjoyed delivering our national series which took us to major regional centres as well as the capital cities. And our sincere thanks to the 500 attendees across May and June who came out in Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart, Geelong, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Townsville, Newcastle, Wollongong, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth. Check out the BTB page of our website for the key details, and submissions for expressions of interest for BTB will open on 1 July 2019.
Gain Board-Level Experience Through Unique MTPConnect Program
Expressions of interest are now open for candidates to join MTPConnect as a Guest of the Chair. As part of this unique initiative, over a six-month period, you will participate in MTPConnect Board meetings and activities with the aim of broadening your understanding and knowledge of how boards operate, including corporate and not-for-profit governance. Visit our website to learn more about how you can apply; but be quick - EOIs close 5 July 2019.
Sector Reports
The MTPConnect Sector Competitiveness Plan, which we developed in collaboration with L.E.K. Consulting, is out now. It builds on our 2018 update and 2016 plan and highlights emerging megatrends, knowledge priorities and the vision looking forward to 2025. The How Global MedTech & Pharma Corporates Engage with Australia in collaboration with BioPacific Partners was released at BIO. It examines how Australian medtech and pharma companies can foster international relationships and break into those markets. This month we also released our Precision Medicine Roundtable White Paper, developed in partnership with BioIntelect, GenomePlus at the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. This timely report identifies the key challenges in this emerging area and showcases the potential for growth for Australian research. You can download all these reports by visiting the dedicated report page on our website.
Innovate Health
This week, MTPConnect was one of the key sponsors of Informa Australia’s Innovate Health conference, held at the RACV Club in Melbourne. Our Managing Director & CEO Dr Dan Grant presented the first keynote on emerging megatrends in health and medical research. He joined other presenters including HCF Chief Officer Strategy & Transformation Tony Wessling and ANDHealth CEO & Founder Bronwyn Le Grice who addressed strategies for success in digital health.
Our podcast series continued across June, serving up yet more great weekly episodes covering the people and issues shaping the MTP sector. Don't forget to subscribe; it's free and is the best way to ensure new episodes are delivered straight to your device.