Dr Dan Grant appointed as new CEO of MTPConnect

MTPConnect, the Australian Government’s Medical Technology, Biotechnology, and Pharmaceutical (MTP) Industry Growth Centre, has appointed Dr Dan Grant as chief executive officer.

Dr Grant, who will commence the role in July 2018, joins MTPConnect from his position as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Industry Engagement at La Trobe University in Melbourne, where he leads the university’s innovation, commercialisation and industry engagement activities. Dr Grant also oversees the university’s R&D precinct and was responsible for establishing La Trobe’s business accelerator program and Strategic Innovation Fund.

Prior to joining La Trobe, he was the senior director and head of Pfizer’s External Research and Development Innovation group for Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. He has also held roles as Senior Business Development Manager at Melbourne Ventures, a member of the Investment Committee for Uniseed, and as a senior business development manager for Biocomm Services.

With a strong background in university research and industry, Dr Grant will work with the MTPConnect board and chair to further develop the organisation by building relationships with industry, government and other stakeholders, both nationally and internationally.

Dr Bronwyn Evans, the chair of MTPConnect, said the appointment of Dr Grant brings new opportunities for growth and advancement, not just within MTPConnect, but for the entire MTP sector in Australia.

“The board is delighted to welcome Dr Grant to MTPConnect. Under the leadership of Sue MacLeman, MTPConnect has become an extremely valuable contributor to the medtech and pharmaceuticals sector.

MTPConnect was formed as a not-for-profit organisation in November 2015 as part of the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Centres Initiative. MTPConnect sits at the nexus of the sector, driving collaboration, acting as an independent voice for change, working to establish Australia as an Asia–Pacific hub for MTP companies, and funding big, bold ideas to accelerate growth and drive greater commercialisation opportunities.

As announced in February 2018, Sue MacLeman, the first CEO of MTPConnect, will assume the chair position in place of Dr Bronwyn Evans, who is stepping down.

To ensure appropriate governance, there will be a gap between MacLeman stepping down as CEO and taking up the role as chair. During this three-month period, Dr Evans will remain the chair and work with the new CEO, with MacLeman to be appointed as a non-executive director to assist in transition. In October 2018, following three months as a non-executive board member, MacLeman will move to the chair role and Dr Evans will step down from the chair and board role with MTPConnect.