The new round of funding for the $22.3 million Biomedical Translation Bridge (BTB) program is now open.

An initiative of the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and operated by MTPConnect, the BTB program is offering up to $1 million to support development and commercialisation of new biological, pharmaceutical, medical and health technology projects.

This is the second round of the BTB program. Round one, announced in December 2019, saw eight projects selected to share in funding of $5.9 million following a competitive application process.

MTPConnect Managing Director and CEO, Dr Dan Grant, says the BTB program is a unique opportunity for Australian innovators to take their research to the next stage along the translation and commercialisation pathway.

“We’re looking to support SMEs and research organisations conducting research projects that provide innovative solutions in any disease area using any therapeutic modality or medical technology," Dr Grant adds.

“With applications only open for three weeks, from Monday, the Australian research community needs to move quickly to take advantage of the substantial funding on offer.”

MTPConnect is delivering the BTB program in partnership with BioCurate (Melbourne and Monash Universities), UniQuest (University of Queensland), the Medical Device Partnering Program (led by Flinders University) and the Bridge and BridgeTech programs (Queensland University of Technology).

The BTB program is uniquely positioned to provide applicants with expert mentoring from these partners, that provides scientific expertise and commercial acumen to support projects in their translation to proof of concept.

“The successful projects we invest in through the BTB program will lead to new therapies, technologies and medical devices to improve the health of Australians and deliver real impact to people all over the world,” Dr Grant explains.

Opening Monday 17 February, applications to the BTB program will be open until 5:00PM (AEDT) on Friday, 6 March 2020. Details can be found at the BTB page.

The Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP), founded by Flinders University, has been named a partner in the Australian Government’s $32 million Researcher Exchange and Development with Industry (REDI) initiative, through the Medical Research Future Fund.

To deliver the program, MTPConnect is partnering with research, training and industry organisations to deploy an integrated, three-pillar plan driving skills development and workforce training that brings together researchers, clinicians, industry and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Announced yesterday (5 February 2020) by Minister for Health Greg Hunt MP, the $32 million investment will boost Australia’s success in turning innovative health and medical research ideas into commercial reality.

MDPP Director Professor Karen Reynolds has welcomed the opportunity.

“We are excited to expand our relationship with MTPConnect through the announcement of the REDI program and to continue to support the medtech sector across Australia,” she said.

Read more about the REDI announcement on the MTPConnect website.

This month, the MDPP Victoria team celebrated their first birthday, and we want to thank all of our supporters and collaborators who have helped make the first year such a success. 

During this first year they have hit the ground running and have:

• Established an expert team
• Leveraged the expertise of our Victorian Steering Committee of industry leaders from the sector
• Consulted on over 80 ideas for new medical technologies
• Held 25 workshops, bringing together industry and research experts to provide input on these innovations
• Approved funding for nine projects

We could not have done any of this without the valued support of many. 

First we’d like to thank LaunchVic, Victoria’s startup agency, for their support to deliver the Program in Victoria.

Our Victorian partners who have contributed expertise, facilities and guidance: Swinburne University, St. Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, RMIT University, Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Monash University, La Trobe University, Baker Institute, CSIRO, Bionics Institute and BioMedVic.

Our National MDPP Sponsors: Design + Industry, FB Rice, Madderns, Motherson Innovations and Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick for their support to help build the med-tech industry in Australia.

And to the many, many organisations and individuals who have provided their time and expertise during workshops and client consultations.

We look forward to making an even greater impact during 2020, supporting more ideas for medical or assistive devices. So if you have an idea for a new medical technology and need R&D assistance, connect with us today. Or if you know of someone who may benefit from MDPP assistance, please refer them to our website: www.mdpp.org.au. 

Again, thank you to everyone who has supported us in our vision for Australia to lead the world in med-tech innovation and drive solutions to advance healthcare globally.

12 December 2019

Acting Health Minister Alan Tudge announced $5.9 million will be provided to fund 8 early stage projects through round 1 of the MRFF’s Biomedical Translation Bridge (BTB) Program.

Dr Dan Grant, Managing Director and CEO of MTPConnect, said the successful projects will cover new medical technologies and novel therapies to address unmet clinical needs.

“We believe these research projects could eventually play a vital role in tackling a number of major challenges for our health sector and contribute towards delivering improved health outcomes for Australians of all ages,” said Dr Grant.

The Biomedical Translation Bridge (BTB) program aims to help Australia move more cutting-edge ideas and breakthrough discoveries swiftly towards proof-of-concept and commercialisation, while stimulating collaboration between the research, industry and technology sectors to maximise entrepreneurship and idea potential.

Read more

_{[Image courtesy of Swinburne: The Swinburne and Medical Connect team (L to R): Matthew Blythman, Andrew Heath, Linda Heath, Dr Boris Eisenbart, Matt Richardson, Dr Benedikt Lux]} 

Medical Connect co-founder, Mr Andrew Heath says the assistance of the MDPP, combined with the input of Swinburne’s expert researchers, provided the best chance to develop and commercialise the project. 

“What we liked most about the MDPP opportunity was partnering with Swinburne and researchers from its Centre for Design Innovation who have significant industry experience and technical knowledge. 

“They could help us to test assumptions and provide technical knowledge to convert our idea into a physical prototype that we can take to industry and the market.” 

Click here to read the full story by the Swinburne media team.

MDPP Victoria supported by

South Australia’s position as a leader in medical technology innovation has been cemented thanks to $1.5 million in State Government funding.

Launched in South Australia in 2008, the Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP) was founded by Flinders University and is based in the laboratory facilities at the Tonsley Innovation District. Since its inception, the MDPP has played a critical role in driving early stage development and manufacturing of innovative medical and assistive technologies.

Minister for Industry and Skills David Pisoni said the funding will boost the state’s growing medical technology sector and encourage greater collaboration between industry and researchers to help turn ideas into investable technologies for global markets.
“Our $1.5 million investment confirms South Australia is home to the national Medical Device Partnering Program and highlights our state’s position as a national leader in medical technology development and commercialisation,” said Minister Pisoni.

“Over the next five years, the program will support approximately 30 projects, creating up to 15 medical technology start-ups and knowledge-based employment opportunities in South Australia.

“We want to grow the state’s medical technology pipeline to help existing companies and start-ups leverage and connect with research and commercial expertise, clinical and health professionals and manufacturers to rapidly develop ideas and bring them to market.
“The medical technology sector is thriving and we want to give South Australian businesses and manufacturers every opportunity to develop new capabilities to tap into these opportunities.”

Read the full story here.