Australia’s emerging medtech sector has received a significant boost, with a new report revealing the scale of commercial, clinical and translational progress achieved through MTPConnect’s Clinical Translation and Commercialisation – Medtech (CTCM) Program.
Released to coincide with MTPConnect’s Accelerator Showcase in Melbourne, opened by Health, Ageing and Disability Minister Mark Butler, the report highlights how early-stage Australian medtech companies are converting groundbreaking concepts into market-ready technologies.
Launched in 2021 with funding from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), the CTCM Program was designed as a purpose-built accelerator to accelerate the transfer of lifesaving technology from laboratory benches into clinical settings. The model focuses on enabling early human trials, providing deep commercial and technical support, and building company capability to attract long-term investment.
The new report, Driving Australian Medtech Innovation Success, outlines the significant impact of this approach. Through a $19.75 million MRFF investment, the program has already channelled $64 million into the national medtech sector, including co-investment and follow-on funding.
MTPConnect CEO Stuart Dignam said the accelerator has delivered de-risked technologies, investable companies, strong clinical pipelines and a clear path to commercialisation. Seventy-five per cent of supported companies have secured additional external investment, taking their innovations closer to market.
The program has supported companies in advancing 36 new medical technologies, signing 16 collaborative research agreements, establishing 23 commercial partnerships, and undertaking 49 local manufacturing activities. One technology has already achieved US regulatory approval.
The report also highlights impressive clinical progress, with companies conducting trials across Australia and internationally involving 247 end users in co-design, 51 clinicians and nearly 400 patients.
The CTCM-supported projects span a wide range of therapeutic areas, including respiratory disease, oncology, neonatal care, vision impairment, cardiovascular disease, orthopaedics, infectious diseases, and women’s health. Technologies under development range from diagnostic imaging and monitoring tools to wearables, implantables and therapeutic devices designed for use in hospitals and at home.
Notable advances include 4DMedical’s US FDA clearance for its ventilation analysis software and partnership with Philips, ARIA Research’s successful pilot trial for a non-invasive bionic vision system, CathRx’s first-in-human success for its atrial fibrillation catheter, Clever Culture Systems’ launch of an AI-enabled tool now being adopted by major pharmaceutical manufacturers, Navi Medical Technologies’ FDA clearance for its neonatal navigation device, OncoRes Medical’s completion of a multi-site trial for its breast cancer imaging technology, and VitalTrace’s first-in-foetus clinical study backed by FDA Breakthrough Device designation.
The accelerator’s success is driven not only by its funding but also by its wraparound model, delivered in partnership with Cicada Innovations, the Medical Device Partnering Program, Therapeutic Innovation Australia, the Medical Technology Association of Australia, and The BridgeTech Program. This approach has provided companies with mentoring, regulatory support, manufacturing expertise and commercial strategy.