CTCM Program Gathers Network for Value-Add Events in Melbourne

25 May 2023

Pictured, bringing the wider CTCM community together in Melbourne - CTCM Project teams, CTCM Partners, CTCM Steering Committee, the CTCM operational team and many more!

MTPConnect’s Clinical Translation and Commercialisation MedTech (CTCM) program brought leading medtech industry experts and innovation entrepreneurs – from NSW, WA, Queensland, SA and the US – together for a special range of events and activities over two days in Melbourne.

CTCM’s Investment Panel also met in Melbourne to determine funding for Round 2, marking the last stage of the program’s funding.

The CTCM program focuses on supporting medical device innovations from Australian SMEs, with successful applicants receiving up to $1.5 million in matched funding, as well as continual support from medtech experts from CTCM’s partner organisations: Medical Device Partnering Program, Medical Technology Association of Australia and Cicada Innovations. Other formal support includes access to Australia’s NCRIS infrastructure network via MTPConnect partner, Therapeutic Innovation Australia, and professional development for project teams via our educational partner, QUT’s The BridgeTech Program.

One-on-one value add sessions with Medical Alley Starts

On the first day, CTCM Round 1 Projects – ARIA Research, Eudaemon Technologies, LBT Innovations, Navi Medical Technologies and OncoRes Medical – took up the opportunity for one-on-one private sessions with Frank Jaskulke, Vice-President Intelligence, Medical Alley Starts, Medical Alley, from Minnesota in the US – the birthplace of the modern medical device. To quote from Medical Alley’s website: “Minnesota’s Medical Alley – a region that follows the corridor from Rochester to Duluth – is akin to California’s Silicon Valley; both are incubators for technological innovation, both are where it happens.”

In addition, a key Networking event was held for the wider CTCM community including members of the Investment Panel, Steering Committee, Program Partners, Round 1 projects, the operational team and MTPConnect leadership – the first time such a complete gathering had taken place.

Pictured, MTPConnect CEO Stuart Dignam spoke at the opening of the CTCM Networking event at Park Royal Monash.

Supporting research and innovation of the highest quality

MTPConnect CEO, Stuart Dignam, said he wanted to acknowledge the dedication that each of the Investment Panel members have shown.

“Each panel member is ensuring our CTCM program supports research and innovation of the highest quality. So, a special thank you to our Investment Panel for being part of these CTCM events.

“As well, and most importantly, MTPConnect expresses deep gratitude to the Program partners that work so closely with the CTCM operational team and provide an ear on the ground,” said Mr Dignam.

The second day included visits to CSIRO – with a tour led by Biomedical Manufacturing Research Director at CSIRO, Professor Susie Nilsson; and then Bosch Australia Manufacturing Solutions (BAMS) – with a tour by Bosch’s National Sales and Business Development Manager, Bradley Trewin.

Pictured, members of the wider CTCM network on tour at CSIRO in Melbourne on the second day of special CTCM events.

Latest technological advances in manufacturing

MTPConnect’s CTCM Program Director Danielle Shand explained that the tours gave projects the opportunity to explore the latest technological advances in manufacturing for increased efficiency and productivity.

“Both of these well-known organisations offer early-stage businesses to prototype, scale and manufacture right at our doorstep within Australia.

“Our Project teams were able to gain insight into the vast cutting-edge techniques at CSIRO’s various facilities covering small molecule biologics and polymer production to metallic 3D printing. It’s clear that CSIRO’s Biomedical Manufacturing capabilities are strengthening local manufacturing and supporting Australian innovation. A quick trip over to Bosch’s BAMS offered our Project teams a glimpse into manufacturing solutions, including robotics automation and production systems, with an emphasis on efficiency, optimisation and continual improvement.

Pictured, members of the wider CTCM network touring Bosch Australia's facilities to find out more about the latest manufacturing solutions.

“The CTCM team would like to especially thank CSIRO’s Anita van der Meer and Bosch Australia’s Bradley Trewin, for hosting these tours for our Round 1 CTCM project teams.

“We are looking forward to announcing our Round 2 projects later this year and then bringing both cohorts together later in October,” said Ms Shand.

The Clinical Translation and Commercialisation program is supported by the Medical Research Future Fund and delivered by MTPConnect.