REDI initiative awards contracts to Biointelect and Cicada Innovations for workforce skills gap training and education

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27 May 2021

MTPConnect today announced its selection of additional industry training providers to deliver new programs addressing key skills gaps in product development and commercialisation in the medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical (MTP) sector workforce.

These skills gaps were identified in the recent skills gap analyses delivered under the Researcher Exchange and Development within Industry (REDI) initiative. 

Biointelect, with consortium partners ARCS Australia and Biodesign Australia, will deliver workshops led by practitioners for practitioners including researchers, start-ups, entrepreneurs and SMEs to provide knowledge and tools to secure investment and industry collaboration for medical innovations including therapeutics, medical devices and digital health solutions.

Cicada Innovations will deliver training workshops for researchers, start-ups and SMEs to develop their ability to identify unmet market needs, understand clinical context, and develop commercially viable products including therapeutics, medical devices and digital health solutions.

The new training programs will roll out in capital cities around Australia beginning in July and running until December 2021.

MTPConnect Managing Director and CEO Dr Dan Grant explained that REDI has identified a number of key skills gaps in the MTP sector and is now supporting new training programs to plug these gaps.

“We’re supporting the development of bespoke education and training solutions through this REDI Program,” Dr Grant said.

“Our research revealed significant skills gaps in product development and commercialisation are impacting the successful commercialisation of medical innovations in Australia. Our new programs will close these skills gaps by helping researchers, start-ups, SMEs and even clinicians better undertake the translational research process.

“This training is aimed at supporting those entrepreneurs with ambitions to take medical innovations from discovery to market, from bench to bedside.

“I congratulate Biointelect’s consortium and Cicada Innovations on their successful proposals and welcome them as partners into our REDI program,” Dr Grant said.

Jennifer Herz, Biointelect Managing Director welcomed the announcement saying the consultancy is thrilled to deliver this series of specially designed workshops with key consortium partners, ARCS Australia and Biodesign Australia.

“The program will provide participants with real world understanding of the investment environment in Australia and other key markets – helping to ensure they are both partner and investor ready. It will also provide access to Biointelect’s experienced team with a track record of success in product commercialisation and securing funding, in addition to key guests from within Australia’s investment community,” said Ms Herz. 

Cicada Innovations CEO Sally-Ann Williams flagged their program will give participants access to years of expertise, industry mentors, exemplary content and a peer community to help get them started on their commercial journey.

“Medtech innovations are vital to solving our world's most pressing problems, enabling us to live longer and healthier lives. Australia has a strong pedigree in medtech research but getting new technology to market is a long and often complicated process.  At Cicada Innovations we've been supporting researchers, practitioners and innovators for over 20 years to bring their ideas to life to benefit people globally. We are excited to be delivering this program and bringing our extensive experience and networks together to equip the medtech and biotech community with the core skills required to commercialise research into solutions for unmet clinical needs,” said Ms Williams.

The REDI initiative is funded through the Medical Research Future Fund and deployed by MTPConnect. 

The skills gap analysis report - Driving skills development and workforce training for the future MTP workforce – was released in February 2021 identifying 20 priority skills gaps.