Launch of 2019 BridgeTech Program
Following the success of the inaugural BridgeTech Program in 2018, the 2019 BridgeTech Program will be officially launched at QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation in Brisbane on the 15th of March.
The launch will represent the first event of the 2019 BridgeTech Program and will host the successful 2019 BridgeTech Program participants in addition to representatives from industry, universities, industry associations, government, medtech researchers, entrepreneurs and 2018 Program alumni.
Administered by QUT, The BridgeTech Program is jointly funded by the Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Growth Centre (MTPConnect) and a consortium of medtech companies, universities and industry associations. The BridgeTech Program represents a unique initiative designed to support and enhance the commercialisation of Australian medical technology and medical devices via the professional development and training of medtech researchers and entrepreneurs.
Participants of The BridgeTech Program are selected from a competitive pool of applicants and receive exclusive commercialisation training and advice through a dynamic and complex 12-month program including online training modules, a rotating series of seminars and a three-day intensive training symposium. In addition, participants are introduced to a growing network of program alumni and have invaluable access to advice and expertise from the industry consortium whose representatives include Stryker, Siemens Healthcare and Cochlear.
The 2018 BridgeTech Program saw the selection and participation of 77 inaugural members and in the short time since the completion of the commercialisation training and professional development program, participants have already reported successful commercialisation behaviours such as initiating industry and academic partnerships and collaborations, pitching technology to international investors and securing funding and R&D contracts.
Following the success of the BridgeTech Program and its sister program – The Bridge Program – both programs recently received multi-year funding commitments through MTPConnect and the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund via the announcement of the Biomedical Translational Bridge Program. Dr Daniel Grant, the CEO of MTPConnect, will be giving an address at the launch event to highlight the successful outcomes of The BridgeTech Program to date, and outline MTPConnect and the Federal Government’s ongoing commitment to the program and support for Australia’s growing MTP sector.
Professor Lyn Griffiths, Director of both the Bridge and BridgeTech Programs, said “The launch event is a fantastic platform to celebrate the successes of the program to date and allow participants, partners and attendees to learn about and look forward to, the specialised commercialisation training and advice that the Program provides. The ongoing involvement from MTPConnect and our industry partners highlights how vital this program is to the Australian healthcare and medical technology industry, and the renewed Federal Government support makes it clear that we are serious about driving the growth and expansion of this exciting field.”
The official program launch will coincide with the first speaking event of the 2019 BridgeTech Program, featuring renowned medtech innovator Dr Anthony Shield from QUT. Dr Shield is an internationally renowned researcher in the field of sports injury prevention and the inventor of the NordBord; a portable hamstring strength testing device. Dr Shield will provide launch attendees and program participants with key insights into the translation of research into commercial outcomes and the unique challenges of commercialising medical devices in Australia, for global adoption and utilisation.
For more information on The BridgeTech Program, contact the BridgeTech team at: bridgetech.program@qut.edu.au
Visit the Birdgetech website for more information: https://research.qut.edu.au/bridgetech.
