Back in May 2019, MTPConnect launched the Biomedical Translation Bridge (BTB) program, a $22.3 million initiative of the Medical Research Future Fund, supporting the translation of new therapies, technologies and medical devices through to the proof-of-concept stage. In a first for Australia, it did that by pairing funded projects with industry mentors and commercialisation experts.

Three years on and a COVID-19 pandemic later and the program is now moving to completion. To celebrate this milestone, we brought together the 21 funded projects and our venture and education partners, Biocurate, UniQuest, Medical Device Partnering Program and the Bridge and BridgeTech programs, for the BTB Finale event at Luna Park in Sydney. 

In part one of this episode, hosts Caroline Duell and Dr Duncan Macinnis walk the floor catching up with awardees, guests and partners including MTPConnect Chair Sue MacLeman, NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Science, Innovation and Technology Robyn Preston MP. You will hear from some of the team - Prof Jason Monty, Samantha Bates and Kevin - behind the Medihood McMonty, a patient isolation hood developed to protect healthcare workers from COVID-19 now being used in hospitals in Australia and internationally. The BTB program’s support and funding helped move the medical device from research to market. And Dr Andrew Milligan from the Medical Device Partnering Program explains how they provide expertise and guidance to projects like the Medihood to boost the chances of commercial success.