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Update on MDPP Victoria by Oded Van Ham, Operations Manager, MDPP Victoria.

MDPP Victoria, supported by LaunchVic, have approved and funded a total of 13 projects since the start of 2019.  We are supporting start-ups and existing companies by connecting them with Victoria’s research and development community across hospitals, universities and industry partners.  It is exciting to see that our work is also enabling our clients to attract substantial additional funding (see Lenexa Medical secures $650,000 Accelerating Commercialisation grant).

The MDPP Victoria team are thrilled to announce we completed hand over for our first projects to clients (four by end of July).  In all cases working device prototypes have been collaboratively developed and tested for the client.  At the same time the MDPP team provides commercial assessment reports with additional insights into a specific market opportunity for these devices.  The newly completed projects include

  • Medical Connect: Development of a functional prototype of their patient transport device;
  • MuPharma: Development of custom designed and manufactured tips for their drug delivery prototype;
  • Smart Insoles: Development of electronics and manufacture of their smart insole prototype used to prevent recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers.

More details will be publicised for these and other projects soon.

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Melbourne, Australia - 26 June 2020: Melbourne-based technology company, Lenexa Medical, have been successful in their application for a highly competitive $650,000 Accelerating Commercialisation grant.

Having recently collaborated with the Victorian Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP) team, which is supported by LaunchVic, Lenexa Medical are developing innovative technology for pressure injury (PI) risk management and patient monitoring. The device, an ultra-thin sheet with sensor technology, provides real-time ongoing monitoring for PI risk.

“Engaging with the MDPP has no doubt contributed to our grant success. Through the MDPP’s network of experts, they were able to objectively evaluate our product offering, guide our proof of concept development and help to further refine our clinical strategy. The success of our grant application was helped greatly with this clear direction and guidance.” said Lenexa Medical’s Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Will Yang.

Lenexa

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

The third round of the BTB program (COVID-19 Response) is open from Monday 18 May to Monday 1 June 2020.

In this specific COVID-19 call, the BTB Program can provide up to $1million to support eligible organisations develop medical devices, diagnostics, prophylactic or therapeutic approaches that will achieve an impact on the global response to the pandemic in less than 12 months.

Funding will support Australian small and medium enterprises, medical research institutes and universerities conducting COVID-19 related research projects.

Applicants will be required to provide one-to-one matching funding in the form of cash to be eligible.

For full details of the guidelines and application process visit the MTPConnect website.

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).

Australia’s first face mask testing facility will be established in Adelaide – harnessing the research expertise of Flinders University and UniSA - to support the production of millions of respirator and surgical masks by the Detmold Group to help stop the spread of COVID-19. 

Premier Steven Marshall said the State Government’s strong plan to protect South Australians during the coronavirus pandemic was fostering the development of critical local medical capability.

“Making and testing respirators and surgical masks in Adelaide is exactly the type of innovative response required to provide Australia with the equipment needed to halt the spread of COVID-19 and save lives,” said Premier Marshall.

“This is an outstanding example of government, universities and business coming together to work in the national interest in the most challenging of times”

Minister Wade said the establishment of testing facilities at local universities for locally made respirators and surgical masks will provide ongoing assurance to the public of the quality and safety of equipment being used in our hospitals.

“I commend the initiative of Flinders University and the University of South Australia for recognising the important role they can play to improve the delivery of this vital protective medical equipment to Australian health workers,” said Minister Wade.

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.

MDPP Director Prof Karen Reynolds with engineering staff

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.

 

MDPP VIC 1st birthday

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.

 

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