ICYMI: MTPConnect @ AusBio19

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01 November 2019

Pictured (L-R): Dr Mark Ashton (UniQuest), Daniell Shand (MTPConnect), Andrew Milligan (Medical Device Partnering Program), Lauren Kelly (MTPConnect), Dr Dan Grant (MTPConnect) and Tifelle Reisinger (BioCurate), at the BTB Information Session in Melbourne.

What a week the MTPConnect team have had supporting the AusBiotech Conference in Melbourne! Thank you to the team at AusBiotech for bringing the sector together for a fantastic program. We wanted to share some highlights of the week with everyone.

Pre-AusBiotech Conference

BMTH Value-Add Day

On Monday, we brought together our 11 round one BioMedTech Horizons partners for a day packed full of interesting speakers on topics relevant to the transition of Australian medical technology innovation. We would like to thank the participants from our projects for joining us on the day and for sharing the progress of your projects. We heard that you all enjoyed the time spent networking with each other.

The agenda included presentations by:

  • Rob McInnes (Rob McInnes IP Advisory) – R&D and IP-deal making in biomedtech
  • Alex Nikro (Department of Health) – Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Update
  • Jiamin Aw (APR Intern) – Accessing PhD talent to boost your project
  • Luke Hurst, Danielle Rajendram and Patrick Deegan (Asialink Business) – Emerging markets and realising growth opportunities
  • Avi Rebera (TGA) – TGA’s SME Assist program
  • Kristi Geddes and Susan Kantor (Minter Ellison) – Protecting personal information – cyber security
  • Oded Vanham (MDPP), Michelle Richards (TRI), Dr Jenny Whiting (Microscopy Australia), Joel Spotswood (BridgeTech Program) and Dr Tillmann Boehme (TRICEP) – Growth Centre Projects speed dating
Patrik Frei workshop

On Tuesday, MTPConnect secured tickets for its BMTH participants to attend a special workshop with Patrik Frei, Founder and CEO, Venture Valuation AG, a Swiss company that evaluates companies in the MTP sector. He presented at the AusBiotech Invest and Partnering workshop on some of the fundamentals of valuation and how to calculate the inherent value of assets and companies. To date, Patrik’s company has given over 500 valuations in the US, Europe and Asia with independent valuation experts in arbitrations, M&A, reverse mergers, financing and licensing deals. Feedback from those with a science focus found the session to be an eye-opener in regard to the world of finance and deals.

AusBiotech Conference

Regenerative Medicine – Advances and Opportunities in Australia
Dan presenting on Australian regenerative medicine growth and opportunities.

On Wednesday, MTPConnect Managing Director & CEO Dr Dan Grant participated in a panel about the advances and opportunities in Australian regenerative medicine, with Dr Melissa Little (Murdoch Children’s Research Institute), Paul Anderson (Orthocell), A/Prof Dominic Wall (Cell Therapies Pty Ltd), Dr Hiroya Muranishi (Takeda Pharmaceutical) and chaired by Dr Dawn Driscoll (Cell Therapies). The discussion focused on the future and potential of Australian regenerative medicine. Australia’s part in the global sector could be worth $6 billion in revenue & create 6,000 new jobs by 2035. Dan and Melissa are a part of the Stem Cells Mission Expert Advisory Panel.

BTB Melbourne Information Session

On Thursday, MTPConnect hosted a sold out information session for interested potential applicants to our MRFF-funded Biomedical Translation Bridge Program. Our BTB partners – BioCurate, UniQuest, the Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP) and the Bridge and BridgeTech Programs – joined us to share their advice on round one, mentoring opportunities and what to expect for round two, which opens in March 2020. It was a highly engaging session and thanks to all who attended.

Sue MacLeman Wins the AusBiotech & Johnson & Johnson Industry Excellence Award
MTPConnect Chair Sue MacLeman presented with the AusBiotech and Johnson & Johnson Industry Excellence Award in Melbourne.

Our Chair, Sue MacLeman was recognised for her outstanding 30-year career in the MTP sector with the prestigious AusBiotech and Johnson & Johnson Innovation Industry Leadership Award. Sue has dedicated her career to championing innovation and bridging research and industry to secure better health outcomes for patients and commercial returns for researchers and industry. For more about her career journey, click here.

US and Australia life science partnerships – trade and investment collaborations

After the Awards presentations, Dan Grant joined a stellar panel, which included, Dr Chris Nave (Brandon Capital Partners), Dr Tom Luby (Texas Medical Center), Erica Kneipp (The Australian National University) and chaired by Dr Lisa Haile (DLA Piper) – discussing the strengths and weaknesses in US and Australia on gender equity in management teams and boardrooms, investment potential of the two countries, the importance of establishing connections globally as well as regionally and so much more.