The MTPConnect Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Tessara Therapeutics, a pioneering biotech start-up based in Melbourne, has developed a platform which creates 3D human brain models using stem cells.

Its RealBrain technology generates reproducible, scalable micro-tissues that mimic the complexity of the human brain. Ready to accelerate neural drug discovery – without using animal models.

From working with CSIRO’s Kickstart program, receiving a CRC-P grant with Xylo Bio, and the University of Sydney  to develop neuroplastogens to research the treatment of addiction disorders and inking a new agreement with Swiss based InSphero, Tessara Therapeutics is helping to unlock human neuroscience. 

Joining us on the MTPConnect podcast is Tessara Therapeutics CEO and Managing Director, Dr Christos Papadimitriou to tell us more about their innovation to accelerate neural drug discovery and their plans to take this technology global.

One of the challenges we face in Australia is getting more homegrown medtech products purchased and used by local hospitals and health services. 

MTPConnect’s Pathway to Market – Medtech Capability Uplift Program has been supporting ten market-ready Victorian medtech manufacturers to position themselves competitively for local health procurement opportunities. 

The recent Australian Medtech Manufacturing Alliance (AMMA) Medtech Showcase profiled Victorian-made products and innovations from 25 local manufacturers spanning surgical care and diagnostics to hospital consumables and equipment. From a new nasal swab designed for children to smart bedding systems for aged care and healthcare sectors, the lineup was impressive.

The Showcase highlighted ‘Better Health Made Here’ – and the MTPConnect Podcast was on the ground talking to companies involved, including those taking part in the Pathway to Market program - Ventora Medical’s Edward Buijs,  Rhinomed’s Michael Johnson, Dentalife’s Tom Stray, Sleeptite’s Cameron van den Dungen and Certius Medical’s Tim Stewart - as well as local leaders Care Essentials’ Helen Skazas and Lindo’s Robert Gangi. 

The Pathway to Market program is an initiative of the Australian Medtech Manufacturing Alliance (AMMA), delivered by MTPConnect in partnership with BioMelbourne Network and supported by the Victorian Government. 

Applications for the 2026 Pathway to Market program will open towards the end of 2025. 

In a special series dedicated to the Australian Clinical Entrepreneur Program (AUSCEP) we introduce you to some of the passionate health professionals taking part in this 12-month program to develop their innovative ideas into products and enterprises. 

Elleesha King is a registered nurse and ambulance paramedic, and founder of Pulsatile Innovations, a start-up developing a medical device called Pulse Tile™ to reduce delays to CPR and defibrillation. She takes us on the journey of turning her idea into reality and explains how taking part in AUSCEP and meeting like-minded entrepreneurs has paid off in spades.  www.thepulsetile.com

The program’s third cohort has been delivered in NSW and Victoria, in partnership with MTPConnect and Australian Society for Medical Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ASME), and supported by LaunchVic and NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI). The next 2025/26 cohort is open for Victorian applications until 20 June 2025 – apply at auscep.au 

This episode is hosted by MTPConnect’s Caroline Duell and Elizabeth Stares.

In this episode we take you to our recent Collaboration and Skills Summit where we brought together a panel of industry experts to share their tips and experiences on how to maximise virtual partnering success at biotech conferences and meetings. 

You will hear from Dr Nina Webster, the Managing Director & CEO of Dimerix Limited who shares the highs and lows of forming relationships and doing deals online in the age of COVID-19.

If you are seeking new strategic partnerships for funding or collaboration this episode is for you. 

This week’s edition of the MTPConnect podcast checks in with the Australian Technology Competition - Australia's national Competition, late-stage accelerator and partnerships program designed to identify and accelerate homegrown scaleups with global potential. Last year, Electrogenics Laboratories won the Australian Technology Company of the Year and also took out the Medtech and Pharma Award, for developing its MOSkin Sensor Technologies, an affordable wireless radiation sensor technology that precisely measures radiation skin doses. Host Shannan Osrin meets their Executive Chairman Kim Lyle who looks back on the impact of the win and the experiences gained, and shares tips on start-up success. Also joining the discussion is Patrick Mooney, Chair of Impact Tech Ventures, the organiser of the Competition. Now in its 11th year, the Competition is supported by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, MTPConnect and other Industry Growth Centres, and industry partners. Entries are now open for the Competition in eleven categories, including the Medtech & Pharma Award, and close on 10 May 2021. 

Tune in for part 2 of our 100th episode special, following our chat with Professor Kate Schroder, head of the Inflammasome Laboratory and Director of the Centre for Inflammation and Disease Research at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), University of Queensland and Professor Ian Henderson, the Director of IMB. We explore the story behind the milestone research discovery that could lead to a treatment for conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, Motor Neurone Disease – even asthma. The innovation was developed out of the UQ, in partnership with Trinity College in Dublin. And the start-up company spawned by the research – Inflazome - was recently acquired by Roche in a deal worth around $600 million, making it one of Australia’s largest ever biotech deals. We also explore the broader work of IMB and the international collaborative approach underpinning its research successes.

Happy 100th episode subscribers! We bring you part 1 of a special double episode following our chat with Professor Kate Schroder, head of the Inflammasome Laboratory and Director of the Centre for Inflammation and Disease Research at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB), University of Queensland and Professor Ian Henderson, the Director of IMB. We explore the story behind the milestone research discovery that could lead to a treatment for conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, Motor Neurone Disease – even asthma. The innovation was developed out of the UQ, in partnership with Trinity College in Dublin. And the start-up company spawned by the research – Inflazome -- was recently acquired by Roche in a deal worth around $600 million, making it one of Australia’s largest ever biotech deals. We also explore the broader work of IMB and the international collaborative approach underpinning its research successes.

In this week’s episode, we chat to WA-based digital health company Artrya’s Co-Founders - CEO John Konstantopoulos and Chairman John Barrington AM - about developing their heart disease detection application, which uses radiology and Artificial Intelligence to more accurately identify patients at risk of Coronary Artery Disease without invasive surgery in a matter of minutes. The ‘software as a service’ solution will also guide cardiologists to deliver more effective treatment. Artrya received funding through MTPConnect’s BioMedTech Horizons program. After starting up two years ago, Artrya have already received TGA registration and are poised to launch pilot programs in WA medical practices. In this episode they reveal more about their mission to save lives and take their solution around the globe. 

For this episode, we take you to our monthly seminar which is hosted by MTPConnect’s Andrew Bowskill and facilitated by Dr Lisette Pregelj (The University of Queensland). We bring together an expert panel to discuss the opportunities and challenges of embracing Australia’s adaptive regulation process when developing digital health technologies. Hear from Tracey Duffy (Therapeutic Goods Administration), Helen Souris (Cardihab), Dr Rob Grenfell (CSIRO) and Bronwyn Le Grice (ANDHealth) about the value of regulatory approval, the pitfalls and plans digital health innovators need to consider and tips for navigating the TGA processes! This is a must listen to episode for all the Australian digital health entrepreneurs preparing to commercialise their product and take it to markets around the world. You can also download our report ‘Adaptive Regulation for Digital Health’ from the MTPConnect website. 

For this episode, we explore the Australian Government’s focus on modern manufacturing and Medical Products. The Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, The Hon. Karen Andrews MP recently announced that funding is now available for Medical Products manufacturing under the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI). The Minister also released the Medical Products road map which will guide government and industry investment under the MMI. To discuss these developments in more detail we are joined by Nick Purtell, General Manager, Industry Engagement Branch, in the Manufacturing Division of the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. Nick also provides information on applying for the MMI funding currently available in two streams - Translation and Integration streams. The round closes on 29 March 2021. The MMI presents an opportunity for Australia’s MTP sector to step-up and secure funding to boost our unique manufacturing capabilities.