AusBiotech and MTPConnect partner to deliver Australian first National Summit

AusBiotech

AusBiotech and MTPConnect have announced a new partnership to deliver Australia’s first National Biotech and Medtech Development and Commercialisation Summit, to be held in Canberra on 19 November 2024.

The Summit will focus on how Australia can supercharge the 'D' in its medical R&D strategies and help future-proof the country’s access to biotech and medtech innovation.

AusBiotech CEO Rebekah Cassidy said, “Australia is at a critical juncture. Globally, the biotechnology industry is gaining unprecedented attention. The combined pressures of pandemics, chronic disease, aging populations, climate change, health inequities and geopolitical tension – along with the rapid pace of innovation – have made health security, medical sovereign capability, investment competition, system agility and skilled employment all matters of critical national importance.

“Australia’s capacity to strategically build on its long-standing health and medical research strengths, by growing and retaining a thriving commercialised biotech and medtech sector, has never been more important. It’s crucial that industry comes together with a stronger voice to be part of these discussions. I’m delighted that AusBiotech and MTPConnect are partnering to make this happen.”

MTPConnect CEO Stuart Dignam said, “Biotech and medtech are an essential part of Australia’s future - backing start-ups and SMEs to bring life-saving medical products from research labs to market drives stronger companies, a more resilient economy and healthier communities.

“But we have challenges. Supply chains for medicines are vulnerable, sovereign capabilities remain limited and access to capital and people with the right skills is needed to grow our companies.

“The Summit is the first time ever our current and future industry has come together to tackle these issues with a crystalised voice to government and I couldn’t be more pleased to see MTPConnect and AusBiotech partnering in such a strategic way to drive growth of our sector,” he said.

The premier one-day National Biotech and Medtech Development and Commercialisation Summit will host Australia’s most senior industry experts, innovators, and policy makers to explore the opportunities and challenges for Australia in supercharging the 'D'. It will also start to unlock the key drivers that will ensure health and medical commercialisation is serving the needs of Australia now and into the future.

AusBiotech and MTPConnect will be seeking a cross-section of senior leaders from the biotech and medtech industry to participate in the Summit. While seats at the Summit will be limited by venue size, both organisations will be seeking representation across sectors, disciplines, geography and gender. Some direct invitations will be extended to industry leaders, policy makers and other stakeholders. Sector members will also have an opportunity to express their interest in attending to add their direct experience to Australia’s commercialisation and development agenda. An expression of interest to attend can be lodged here.

AusBiotech and MTPConnect’s National Biotech and Medtech Development and Commercialisation Summit:

Date: Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Time: 10:00AM – 5.30PM

Location: Rydges Hotel, Canberra

Networking Reception: 5:30PM at Australian Parliament House with Members of Parliament.

Prior to the Summit, AusBiotech and MTPConnect supported by AusBiotech’s newly formed Policy Taskforce, will circulate a discussion paper to assist participants in preparing their contributions. An engagement survey will also be distributed to those who would like to contribute but cannot make it on the day.