In Case You Missed It: Here's What The MTPConnect Team Has Been Up To in March

03 April 2020

Pictured: MTPConnect Director Stakeholder Engagement NSW Dr Duncan Macinnis, President of the Brain Foundation’s Professor Matthew Kiernan, Sydney Health Ethics Wendy Lipworth, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Chair Professor Nadia Badawi, James Taylor, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Head of Research Professor Iona Novak, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Fellow Madison Paton, Research Australia CEO Nadia Levin and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki at the Stem Cells Public Forum in Sydney. Photo by Stephen Blake Photography.

We’re only into the third month of the year, however, so much has changed so quickly since COVID-19 hit our shores and changed the way we live and work.

Steps We’re Taking on COVID-19 Virus
Earlier this month, our team shifted to working from home as a virtual office, and suspended travel on international and domestic flights and attendance at meetings and conferences. So while we may be working differently, we’re still here for the sector and just a phone call, video meeting or email away!

We Released Digital Health in Indonesia: Opportunities for Australia
MTPConnect in partnership with Asialink Business released our new research report that explored why it’s time for Australian businesses to take advantage of Indonesia’s booming digital health ecosystem. It’s the second of three industry guides in a major collaboration between MTPConnect and Asialink Business to assist the Australian MTP sector to understand and access export opportunities in Asian markets. The first industry guide focused on frugal innovation in India’s medtech sector was released in December 2019, and a report on the Asia capabilities of board members and senior executives in Australia’s MTP sector is coming soon. Download the report today.

It was Time to Discover How to Crack the U.S. Market
We were delighted to host Medical Alley Association’s VP Intelligence Frank Jaskulke, for the first instalment of our 2020 Seminar Series. Our Senior Director Stakeholder Engagement Dr Rebecca Tunstall led the first seminar, along with Andrew Bowskill (Director Stakeholder Engagement QLD), Dr Duncan Macinnis (Director Stakeholder Engagement NSW) and Dr Kate Brooks (Director Stakeholder Engagement WA), as we introduced Frank to the sector in Australia. Unfortunately, we had to cut the seminar tour short before reaching Adelaide and Melbourne, however we caught up with Frank for our podcast so no one needs to miss out. Check out the wrap up of our first seminar.

Enhancing Start-Up Innovation in WA
This month, our Director Stakeholder Engagement WA Dr Kate Brooks joined Minister Industry, Science and Technology Hon Karen Andrews MP and Startup WA colleagues for a great discussion about WA's thriving innovation ecosystem and how to take it the next level.

Stem Cells Public Forum
MTPConnect’s Director Stakeholder Engagement NSW Dr Duncan Macinnis presented at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance’s Stem Cells Forum at the Seymour Centre in Sydney. Hosted by popular presenter Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Duncan joined President of the Brain Foundation Professor Matthew Kiernan, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Professor Iona Novak and Sydney Health Ethics Wendy Lipworth for a panel in a public forum to discuss research in stem cells to combat Cerebral Palsy, other neurological and muscular diseases.

How COVID-19 is Impacting Clinical Trials with ARCS Australia
MTPConnect are proud to support ARCS Australia’s COVID-19 Webinar series that started in late March. The webinar series covers a range of topics on how clinical trials are being affected by COVID-19, involving expert guests from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Medicines Australia, hospitals and more. Register today!

Making Sense of Manufacturing Minefields
Our Senior Director BioMedTech Horizons, Dr Gerard Gibbs chaired a panel at the BioMelbourne Network Devices & Diagnostics Lab, earlier this month. The panellists, which included BioMelbourne Network Chair Luisa Guthrie, Planet Innovation Co-Founder & Co-CEO Stuart Elliot, Hon. Trish White, SeerPharama‘s Biju Kishor and Motherson Innovations Sam Vial, looked at the minefields for industry in advanced manufacturing and provided their advice on how to combat them.

Developing the WA Health and Medical Life Sciences Industry Growth Plan
During Frank Jaskulke’s visit to WA, the Hub organised a briefing with Deb Cousins from the WA Government to discuss the WA Health and Medical Life Sciences Industry Growth Plan 2020-2025. Frank shared some of his global perspectives based on his involvement with Medical Alley. Our Chair Sue MacLeman has been appointed to the Steering Committee for this Growth Plan.

DMTC Conference in Canberra
This month, we were a major sponsor of the DMTC Conference in Canberra. Our Director Stakeholder Engagement QLD Andrew Bowskill delivered a keynote on Antimicrobial Resistance: Tackling a Global Health Challenge. You can listen into this keynote presentation on our podcast.

Resources for Australian Businesses and Households Impacted by COVID-19
The Federal Government released some helpful resources for businesses and households needing support, who are currently dealing with the significant challenges posed by the spread of the coronavirus. Check out some of the resources here.