MedTech Mondays are your chance to get advice from medtech industry experts, brought to you by the Medical Device Partnering Program

This online event will be held on:

Monday 1st March 2021
12.30pm - 1.30pm ACDT

Sorry you missed the live event but you can watch the recording  via You Tube.

As a fearless leader inspiring innovation, Professor Karen Reynolds has been recognised for her achievements fostering collaborations between research, industry and government as a finalist in the Advertiser-Sunday Mail Woman of the Year Awards Innovator category, ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8.

Fresh from having led her team to a win for Excellence in Science and Industry Collaboration at the South Australian Government 2020 SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards last week for the Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP), the Woman of the Year nomination highlights Professor Reynolds’ outstanding drive and leadership – especially in harnessing Flinders University’s advanced research facilities and expertise to test personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Professor Reynolds’ leadership qualities were immeasurable in establishing the South Australian Mask Testing Facility at Tonsley with the support of the SA Government, and then extending the facility’s testing capacity to include surgical gowns.

Her role leading the MDPP also continues, with some 633 companies and entrepreneurs having received support since its launch in 2008.

“It’s an honour to be a finalist amongst so many inspiring women – all of whom have made a significant difference – particularly through the challenges we have faced in 2020,” says Professor Reynolds.

“I’m honoured to be recognised for supporting South Australian innovators translating ideas to products that improve the care of patients and protect our frontline staff responding to the pandemic in 2020.”

Recent examples of MDPP receiving national recognition include a braces mouthguard for young athletes playing contact sports on Channel 9 Adelaide and a feature article on the growth of the MedTech sector benefiting investment and jobs.

Flinders University alumni Kali Graham and Alana Giaccio are also on the shortlist of finalists for the Advertiser-Sunday Mail Woman of the Year Awards in the respective categories of community champion and inspiration.

The full list of Flinders-affiliated nominees includes:

• Rikki Cooke(BBehavSc(Psych) ’14, MSW ’17) – Treasure Boxes
• Meg Clothier (BHlthSc,MOccTherapy ’18) – Two Young Nomads
• Alana Giaccio (GradCertDisSt ‘20) – All Abilities Cheer and Dance
• Kali Graham (BParamedicSc ’18) – Whyalla paramedic
• Eloise Hall (Current Business Student) – TAB OO social business enterprise
• Wendy Johnson (BA ’80, MEdAdmin ’92) – Glenunga International High School
• Professor Karen Reynolds (GradCertTertEd ’98) – Staff member and Graduate
• Professor Nicola Spurrier – Academic Status, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University

The Advertiser-Sunday Mail Woman of the Year winners will be announced on Thursday night at a gala ceremony at SkyCity Adelaide.

Nation-leading South Australian Medical Device Partnering Program, led by Flinders University Professor Karen Reynolds was announced the winner of the Excellence in Science and Industry Collaboration award at the 2020 SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards. 

 The Medical Device Partnering Program, an initative of Flinders University Medical Device Research Institute at Tonsley led by Professor Karen Reynolds is an incubator fostering collaborations between researchers, industry, end-users and government and develop medical technologies with global market potential.

The 2020 SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards recognised the work of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) leaders and teams working in research and education institutions, schools, industry, and the community.

The awards encouraged people to become involved in science and innovation and to recognise the depth and diversity of scientific endeavour and research in SA.

South Australia’s Chief Scientist Professor Caroline McMillen said that SA’s Science Excellence and Innovation Awards demonstrate how STEMM researchers are working across the State to solve key challenges facing communities across Australia and the world.

“The work of this year’s finalists in the SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards provide remarkable examples of world-leading research fuelling innovation in health, environmental sustainability and new technologies supporting hi-tech industries.

“These awards also recognise exceptional, dedicated and passionate STEMM educators who every day inspire bright and talented South Australians to be equipped for success in the workforce of the future.”

Click here for the finalist video

Click here for the Science Excellence Awards webpage

In the first of our 2021 MedTech Mondays seminar series, we address one of the first issues that all innovators come up against: How do I protect my intellectual property?

Most people know what a patent is, but once you start on the process it is a complex legal world with numerous steps and plenty of cost involved. Ultimately, your intellectual property is the core of your business so ensuring you have Freedom-To-Operate and getting the right protection from the start is crucial.

We have patent attorneys from three leading patent firms joining us to answer any questions you might have.

This online event will be held on:

Monday 1st February 2021
12.30pm - 1.30pm ACDT

Sorry you missed the live event but you can watch the recording  via You Tube.

The Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) initiative, a Medical Research Future Fund initiative delivered by MTPConnect, is rolling out a $38 million funding opportunity to improve the prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and their related complications in Australia.

Expressions of Interest (EOI) for two new Research Centres and the first round of Research Projects funding are now open.

Research Projects

$18 million to support translational Research Projects that have the potential to transform diabetes and cardiovascular disease outcomes and reduce the burden of disease on patients, families and the community – with up to $6 million available in this first round. 

The TTRA Research Projects must develop innovative preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic and/or disease management products/solutions to address one of the following Priority Areas:

• Priority 1: Mental health conditions in people living with at least two of the following: Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease; or
• Priority 2: Chronic kidney disease in people living with at least two of the following: Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease; or
• Priority 3: Cardiac and vascular complications arising in people living with diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2) and cardiovascular disease; OR Cardiovascular disease in people living with Type 1 diabetes and insulin resistance (double diabetes).

Submissions for the first round of Research Projects funding close on 22 February 2021.

Research Centres

$20 million to support the establishment of two new Research Centres; one focused on diabetes-associated complications and the other on cardiovascular disease-associated complications and each funded for up to $10 million over four years.     

The Diabetes Research Centre’s translational research, development and implementation science activities will address the following Priority Areas:

• Priority 1: Diabetic kidney disease;
• Priority 2: Peripheral neuropathy and diabetic foot syndrome;
• Priority 3: Short-term complications of hypoglycaemia and/or hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS) and ketoacidosis.

The Cardiovascular Disease Research Centre’s translational research, development and implementation science activities will address the following Priority Areas:

• Priority 1: Coronary artery disease (including angina and MACE);
• Priority 2: Cardiomyopathy / heart failure;
• Priority 3: Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) / stroke (ischaemic and haemorrhagic).

Submissions for Research Centres funding close on 15 March 2021.

TTRA for Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Announces TTRA for Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Announces Research Plans and Partners

MTPConnect’s Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) initiative for diabetes and MTPConnect’s Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) initiative for diabetes and cardiovascular disease (D&CVD) will soon call for expressions of interest to establish two Research Centres and open the first round of Research Project funding.

The $47 million TTRA initiative, supported by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), is providing a new integrated research program to improve the prevention, management and treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (D&CVD) in Australia. Research efforts will focus on the most pressing areas of unmet clinical and research needs in D&CVD, which are leading causes of death and disability in Australia.

The TTRA program is designed to support and incentivise translation as a natural course of activity for those applying and receiving funding.

MTPConnect is pleased to announce partnerships with ANDHealth, Medical Device PartneringProgram (MDPP) and UniQuest to provide advice and mentoring for funding recipients.

MTPConnect Managing Director & CEO, Dr Dan Grant, has welcomed the TTRA partners, citing their credentials as preeminent organisations specialising in translation and commercialisation of digital health, medical technology, medical devices, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

“We are delighted to announce our partnerships with ANDHealth, MDPP and UniQuest for the TTRA as we embark on a mission to improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in Australia,” Dr Grant said.

“Our experience leading a number of Medical Research Future Fund programs has proven the value of building in a component for guidance and support for research applicants,” he said.

UniQuest is Australia’s leading technology transfer company, whose innovation portfolio includes Australia’s first blockbuster vaccine Gardasil®. UniQuest’s Executive Director of Commercialisation, Dr Mark Ashton says bringing commercialisation experience to early stage research will transform ideas to impact.

”We are looking forward to drawing on the industry expertise of our team at the Queensland Emory Drug Discovery Initiative (QEDDI) and our 35 years’ experience in commercialisation to support applicants in the translation of their research, with the view to improving the outlook for patients with diabetes and cardiovascular disease around the world,” Dr Ashton said.

MDPP Executive Director, Professor Karen Reynolds leads the ideas incubator to support the development of novel medical devices and assistive technologies.

“MDPP is honoured to once again partner with MTPConnect and support the development of novel preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and products to improve outcomes for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. With the rapid changes within the community, health and business environments, the TTRA will provide a strategic and coordinated effort to translate cutting-edge research to knowledge for two disease states that affect millions of Australians each year,” Professor Karen Reynolds said.

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