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

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06 November 2020

Pictured: Minister for Industry, Science & Technology, Hon. Karen Andrews MP at the opening of the facility at the TRI in Brisbane. Photo by: Glenn Hunt Photography.

New Report Reveals COVID-19 Recovery for MTP sector

This month, we launched the second edition of the MTPConnect COVID-19 Impact Report series. The report shows how the sector has recovered from the May pandemic slump and highlights opportunities for growth. It also identifies actions that can be taken to better prepare for future pandemics. Read the report here.

Virtual Trip to Toronto for the 2020 MedTech Conference

We’re fresh from leading a digital delegation to the Virtual MedTech Conference, showcasing the skills and capabilities of 21 Australian medtech companies and their innovations to the world. We worked with Austrade to stage a special webinar for Canadian and U.S. medical device companies to promote Australia as a trial destination for their devices.

Adding Value for Our Funded Programs

Focusing on translation and commercialisation, our BMTH and BTB teams hosted a special virtual meeting for 62 funding recipients on what to consider when developing a global medtech commercialisation strategy. Three experts from Med2Mark shared their advice on translation of biotech and medtech innovations with the cohorts who are developing potential new Australian products.

New TRI Cleanrooms Manufacturing Facility Launched

One project that is building manufacturing capability in Australia is the Translational Research Institute’s upgraded cleanroom manufacturing facility and training hub in Brisbane, which was funded through our Industry Growth Centre Project Fund Program. Our Managing Director & CEO Dr Dan Grant joined virtually with Vaxxas CEO, David Hoey and Minister Andrews for the official opening of the facility which will accelerate the translation of new medical innovations and boost workforce skills.

MTPConnect Sponsors TRI’s MTP Manufacturing Careers Symposium

Following the TRI’s cleanroom launch, the inaugural one-day MTP Manufacturing Careers Symposium was held, sponsored by MTPConnect, SeerPharma, Vaxxas and Therapeutic Innovation Australia. Our Director Stakeholder Engagement Queensland, Andrew Bowskill, presented a session about the Australian MTP sector and career opportunities.

New Report Unveils Workforce Skills

With a continued focus on employment opportunities, we released a new report: ‘A Survey of Workforce Skills and Capacity in the Medical Technology, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical and Digital Health (MTP) Sector’. The report identifies current, emerging and future skills gaps. Many thanks to BehaviourWorks Australia and the cross-industry project team of AusBiotech, ANDHealth, MTAA and Medicines Australia for their work on the project.

Keynote MP Session at MTAA Annual Conference

We supported the MTAA’s Medtech20 Virtual Conference, by sponsoring the Keynote M.P. Session with the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, the Honourable Karen Andrews MP. MTPConnect’s Dr Dan Grant introduced Minister Andrews who spoke at length about the value of the Australian medical technology sector, its contribution to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and its focus in the Government’s newly launched ‘Modern Manufacturing Strategy’. Dan closed the session by referencing the important role the Medical Technology sector plays in our community and economy, as a hub for innovation and advanced manufacturing that employs 19,000 people and potential for future growth.

Accelerating Research in Regenerative Medicine

We were proud to sponsor AusBiotech + Invest 2020 conference, where we announced the formation of a new catalyst body for regenerative medicine, a rapidly emerging field which holds much promise of better patient outcomes – and economic growth. The AusBiotech-led consortium was awarded $300,000 from our Industry Growth Centre Project Fund Program to establish this collaboration and coordination body to unlock the potential of Australia’s regenerative medicine sector over the next twelve months. We are looking forward to being part of that effort.

Meet the TTRA Partners!

We also announced that our TTRA initiative for diabetes and cardiovascular disease will soon call for expressions of interest to establish two research centres, open the first round of research project funding, and partner with UniQuest, Medical Device Partnering Program and ANDHealth to provide commercialisation advice and mentoring for future funding recipients.

Sector Supported Events

We continue to support collaboration throughout the sector with various sponsorships and virtual events. In addition to the AusBiotech + Invest Conference, we sponsored ANDHealth’s participation in the HLTH2020 Virtual Conference, which included a strong delegation of companies from Western Australia, as well as Australian digital health companies competing in the Start-Up Showcase. We also supported the Australian Technologies Competition in the Medtech & Pharma Award category . We also announced our support for the WA Medical Datathon to be held in early November, in partnership with WA Data Science Innnovation Hub, Telethon Kids and AWS.

Sharing Australian MTP Stories Through Our Podcast

Through our podcast series this month, we shared important stories about efforts to develop Australia’s MTP sector workforce, catching up with our REDI program partners; Bridge and BridgeTech programs, the MedTech Actuator and APR.Intern.

Staff Announcements

We welcomed a new team member this month, with Dr Michelle Low joining us as  REDI Project Manager, based in Melbourne.