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 two of this episode, hosts Caroline Duell and Dr Duncan Macinnis walk the floor catching up with awardees and partners. We hear from Dr Alison Thistlethwaite from Melbourne-based biotech MycRx - developing first-in-class small molecule inhibitors of the Myc oncoprotein as safe and effective treatments for cancer. Dr Jeremy Paull from Melbourne biotech Starpharma talks about how the funding supported the development of their anti-viral nasal spray, Viraleze™  within 12 months which is now registered for sale in more than 30 countries. And venture partners Dr Mark Ashton from Uniquest, the Biocurate team of Linda Peterson, Dr Tifelle Reisinge and Dr Eric Hayes, and BridgeTech’s Professor Lyn Griffiths explains how they bring their expertise in commercialisation to assist BTB projects reach commercialisation stage.