EOI open for $5m BioMedTech Horizons program

MTPConnect, the Medical Technology, Biotechnology, and Pharmaceutical (MTP) Industry Growth Centre, has opened expressions of interest for the Australian Government’s $5 million BioMedTech Horizons program.

The program will provide $5 million in 2017–18 to help Australia move more cutting-edge ideas and breakthrough discoveries towards proof-of-concept and commercialisation.

The program is being delivered as a part of the Australian Government’s $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund, which aims to transform health and medical research to improve lives, build the economy and contribute to health system sustainability through targeted strategic investment.

Sue MacLeman, MD and CEO of MTPConnect, said, “The BioMedTech Horizons program will provide funding essential to increase the number of biotechnology and medical technology innovations that can reach the proof-of-concept stage and obtain proof-of-concept status, overcoming the key barriers in significant areas of unmet clinical need.

“The program will also assist in increasing investment to progress through pre-clinical and clinical trials, therefore increasing the likelihood of commercialisation.

“MTPConnect is delighted to have been charged with the delivery of this important program, and we have no doubt that it will have great positive impact not only on the growth and development of the sector, but the health of Australians into the future.”

Investments from the program will be focused on precision medicine and 3D anatomical printing, as innovative technologies in these areas can play a key role in fostering the development of enabling technologies and improved health services and systems to address national health priorities.

Expressions of interest close on 10 December 2017, followed by a targeted application process with eligible proposals that will be open until early 2018.