A new professional development program on the commercialisation of medical technology has been launched by the QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation.
Professor Lyn Griffiths, executive director of QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) and Director of The BridgeTech Program, said 100 applicants will be selected from around Australia who want to bolster their knowledge on the scientific, legal, financial, clinical, regulatory and reimbursement disciplines related to taking developed medical technology to market.
The BridgeTech Program involves a consortium of partners including medical technology companies, universities, and industry associations; Flinders University, Siemens Healthcare, Cochlear, Hydrix, Magnetica, University of Newcastle, MTAA, University of Western Australia, AusBiotech, and many others.
The BridgeTech Program is supported by MTPConnect – the Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Industry Growth Centre – which is providing industry-matched funding to run the program.
It is the sister program of The Bridge Program, which is now in its second year and focuses on the skills needed for research translation and the commercialisation of medicine in the pharmaceutical industry.
Professor Griffiths said the launch, at Tonsley Innovation District in Adelaide, was held in conjunction with the 10-year anniversary of the Medical Device Partnering Program led by BridgeTech consortium partner Flinders University.
“This is an important partnership, linking research and technology development with entrepreneurship,” said Professor Griffiths.
“Through its consortium of partners, The BridgeTech Program is unique in its ability to incorporate industry expertise, create key collaboration opportunities and draw on the breadth of knowledge needed to design an effective course.”
The BridgeTech Program is open to mid-career entrepreneurs, researchers, business development professionals, IP lawyers, regulatory officers and others in the med-tech ecosystem.
Professor Griffiths said it is structured to accommodate busy people as a self-paced online learning program incorporating a three-day workshop to consolidate learning and create key sector networks.
“Developing this important educational initiative in partnership with industry means that participants will be provided with relevant and specific commercialisation training, advice and networks to better assist the commercialisation of medical technology and medical devices in Australia,” she said.
According to the managing director and CEO of MTPConnect, Sue MacLeman, “The BridgeTech Program will provide practical and important support to develop a more vibrant and impactful MTP sector ecosystem, contributing to the growth of our sector on the world stage.
“As part of our mission, we are funding big, bold ideas that will deliver results on a national scale, have sector-wide impact, and are aligned with the Sector Growth Priorities identified in our 10-year Sector Competitiveness Plan. We are very proud to be supporting this truly collaborative initiative that brings together expertise from industry and research, building on the success of pharmaceutical-focused Bridge Program.”