MTPConnect - the Industry Growth Centre for medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical (MTP) sector - and Queensland University of Technology (QUT), together with a consortium of 15 partners including global pharmaceutical companies, venture capitalists, universities and industry associations, will today officially launched The Bridge Program. The Bridge Program will be launched by Minister Lucy Wicks, Liberal Member for Robertson, at Fishburners in Sydney this evening.
The Bridge Program will deliver an exciting education program that aims to transfer practical skills on pharmaceutical commercialisation through training and direct exposure to industry practitioners. The program will be implemented by QUT and supported by MTPConnect’s Project Fund Program, with $540,000 of industry matched funding to aid in commercialising Australian bioscience and pharmaceutical research, by training participants in how to develop their research and translate this into the marketplace.
The program will equip participants with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complex regulatory, financial, scientific and intellectual property issues involved in bringing new medicines to market. Bio-entrepreneurs, research scientists, patent attorneys and business development managers are among the 100 participants who have signed up for the program, and will be exposed to global experts sourced from industry.
Professor Lyn Griffiths, Executive Director and Director of the Bridge Program at QUT Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), said The Bridge Program would serve as a key launching pad for researchers, entrepreneurs, academics and other industry professionals in the bioscience and pharmaceutical spheres.
“We had a fantastic response and have selected 100 participants with a diverse range of experience, skills and innovative ideas, who share the goal of translating Australian science into products that help everyday people. Participants will have the invaluable opportunity to learn from global experts sourced from across the industry on how to understand and navigate the complex regulatory, financial, scientific and intellectual property issues involved in bringing new medicines to market.”
Sue MacLeman, Chief Executive of MTPConnect, said “We’re excited to launch this national, sector-wide program, that will help build and strengthen commercialisation skills and business acumen in Australia’s life science sector. The program will not only benefit the program participants, but will also improve the planning and execution of research and development in their organisations, ultimately fostering growth across the sector. The participants will also be able to build connections with businesses locally and internationally, encouraging collaboration and further career development opportunities.”
In May 2017, MTPConnect announced the second round of its Project Fund Program, with Expressions of Interest (EOI) to open 3rd July 2017. Applicants with big, bold ideas that aim to improve the productivity, competitiveness and innovative capacity of Australia’s MTP sector will have the chance to share in $8.2 million in funding.
Watch a live stream of the launch from 6pm AEST, Thursday 8 June 2017, including presentations from MTPConnect CEO Sue MacLeman and Minister Lucie Wicks.
