Med Tech Talks Podcast

In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Bionics Institute CEO Robert Klupacs is joined by Jan Janssen, Chief Technology Officer of Cochlear Ltd, the global leader in implantable hearing solutions. 

Jan has spent more than three decades at the forefront of medical technology innovation, helping shape the development of the world's most advanced cochlear implant systems. As Cochlear's Chief Technology Officer, he leads the company's global research and development strategy, overseeing multidisciplinary teams that are pushing the boundaries of hearing technology, digital health, and implantable medical devices. 

Throughout his career, Jan has played a pivotal role in translating breakthrough engineering and scientific research into technologies that have transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people living with hearing loss. His work spans implant design, sound processing, connectivity, and the next generation of smart hearing solutions, ensuring Cochlear remains at the forefront of innovation in hearing healthcare. 

What makes Jan's story particularly compelling is his commitment to building on the extraordinary legacy established by Professor Graeme Clark, a shared founder of Cochlear and the Bionics Institute. Under his technical leadership, Cochlear continues to advance that legacy—bringing together engineering, clinical science, and digital technologies to improve hearing outcomes for people around the world. 

Today's conversation is an opportunity to explore not only where cochlear implant technology has come from, but where it's heading next—from artificial intelligence and personalised hearing solutions to the future of connected healthcare and global innovation. 

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Calling in from the United States, Guy is widely regarded as the pioneer of modern evangelism in the technology industry, having played a pivotal role in building a passionate developer and user community around the Macintosh during its formative years. 

At a time when personal computing was still in its infancy, Guy helped translate complex technology into something accessible, inspiring, and deeply human.

Since his time at Apple, Guy has become a globally respected voice on innovation, entrepreneurship, and the art of storytelling – something we are passionate about at the Bionics Institute. 

As an author, speaker, and venture capitalist, he has worked with countless startups and leaders, helping them to refine their vision, communicate their ideas, and bring transformative products to market. He also has a very successful podcast, Guy Kawasaki’s Remarkable People Podcast, which I recommend all our listeners should view after this podcast. Guy's latest book is called Everybody Has Something to Hide, and it will help you strengthen your privacy and security.

What sets Guy apart is his unique ability to bridge technology and impact—championing not just great products, but the ideas and values that make a difference in people’s lives.

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Navi Medical is an Australian medtech company with a very clear and compelling mission: to improve outcomes for some of the most vulnerable patients in our healthcare system—critically ill newborns and children. The company was founded on a simple but striking reality: many of the devices used in neonatal and paediatric care today are not designed for children at all, but adapted from adult medicine. 

In response, Navi has focused its efforts on developing purpose-built technologies for paediatric care, working closely with clinicians in neonatal and paediatric intensive care units to understand real-world challenges and design solutions that genuinely improve safety and outcomes. Navi’s latest development is the Neonav device – an ECG tip-location system that improves umbilical monitoring for the most fragile neonatal patients. It achieved FDA registration in 2025.

As CEO, Alex has led Navi from its early beginnings in Melbourne through to clinical development and commercialisation, building a multidisciplinary team spanning engineering, clinical care and business, all united by a shared goal: delivering brighter, healthier futures for children. 

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In this latest episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Dr Andrew Nash, former CSO of CSL. 

CSL is an Australian success story and one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies. CSL has a remarkable history spanning over a century, and a global reputation for developing and delivering life-saving medicines, particularly in immunology, haematology, and vaccines.

As Chief Scientific Officer, Andrew led CSL’s global research and early development strategy, playing a pivotal role in advancing innovative therapies from discovery through to clinical development, and ultimately to patients around the world.

Today, Andrew is a Director of: The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, the Burnet Institute, ASX listed Arovella, Jumar Incubator, Brandon Capital’s BioCatalyst and also part of the Bionics Institute’s own Industry Advisory Committee. 

In this episode, you will learn from Andrew about:

• Andrew's journey from academia to CSO of CSL
• His thoughts on the opportunity for innovation in Australia
• What Andrew would recommend to aspiring med tech and bio tech enterpreneurs to be successful

Learn more about Dr Andrew Nash

Learn more about CSL

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In this latest episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Brendon Gardner, CEO of The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (Eye and Ear) in Melbourne.

The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital is Australia’s only specialist eye, ear, nose and throat hospital and has been operating since 1863.

The Eye and Ear sees over 250,000 patients a year and offers over 110 different outpatient clinics for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of vision and hearing loss. The hospital also has a 24-hour emergency department for patients requiring urgent care and treatment.

Brendon Gardner first joined the Victorian Public Health care system in 1990 as a Health Information Manager and over the following 35 years, has held a variety of roles including 9 years as Chief Operating Officer of Peninsula Health. In 2019, he was appointed as CEO of the Eye and Ear.

In this episode, you will learn from Brendon about:

• Brendon’s journey to becoming CEO of a major hospital in Australia
• The mission and legacy of the Eye and Ear
• Brendon’s objectives for the future of the Eye and Ear.

Learn more about Brendon Gardner and the executive team at the Eye and Ear Hospital.

Learn more about the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

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In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Dr Alastair Hick, Chief Commercialisation Officer at Monash University.

With a PhD in Chemical Ecology and an MBA from the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge, Alastair has a wealth of experience both in Australian and overseas markets and brings an ecosystem approach to commercialisation and innovation.

At Monash University, Alastair has been responsible has developed a successful IP commercialisation program and an also oversees The Generator, a hub that develops the entrepreneurial talent of Monash’s students, staff, and alumni. 

Alastair has recently established a $15 million Monash/Breakthrough Victoria Pre-Seed fund and is chair of its investment committee. He was also a founding director of the $30 million Trans-Tasman Commercialisation Fund; is a director of Monash University spinouts Jupiter Ionics, Phrenix Therapeutics, Myostellar and Flex Immunotherapeutics; as well as an early-stage investor Uniseed and therapeutics development company BioCurate.

In this episode, you will learn from Alastair about: 

• The evolution of the commercialisation ecosystem at Monash University 
• The role of entrepreneurial talent in innovation success
• Challenges in scaling and accessing investment
• Potential role of the government in supporting Australian innovation
• The importance of mentorship and confidence in entrepreneurship.

Learn more about Dr Alastair Hick.

Learn more about The Generator.

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In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Scott Kirkland, CEO and Managing Director of EMVision Medical Devices. 

EMVision (ASX:EMV)  is an ASX listed, Australian med tech company focused on developing portable brain imaging devices using electromagnetic (EM) technology. It was spun out of University of Queensland in 2017 and had its IPO in late-2018.

EMVision’s primary product is a portable scanner designed to quickly and non-invasively detect and monitor neurological conditions like stroke. 

Unlike traditional imaging methods such as CT or MRI, EMVision’s technology allows for bedside or on-the-go imaging, which can be particularly useful in emergency settings or in rural and remote locations to improve healthcare access.

Scott has a wealth of experience in the emerging tech both here and overseas, having previously been Head of Client Sales at Quantcast, a US-based technology company. He is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

In this episode you will hear about:

• How EMVision is using ultra high frequency radio signals to differentiate stroke types, with the aim of speeding up diagnosis and treatment particularly within the first hour post-onset of a stroke
• Findings from the 300-patient trial* conducted in Australia, and the company’s plans for a pivotal US trial
• Learnings from EMVision’s capital raising, which led to a AUD$15M investment from Keysight Technologies
• The importance for startups to build strategic relationships early on and to utilise finite resources efficiently
• Scott’s advice for budding entrepreneurs and those seeking mentorship.

Learn more about Scott Kirkland and EMVision Medical Devices.

*EMVision released EMView study data subsequent to this recording, see ASX release ‘Algorithms deliver excellent results in EMView study’ 12th Nov.

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In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Justin Zenanko, co-founder, CEO and president of SynerFuse™, a medical device company based in the United States developing an innovative solution to reduce chronic back pain and improve patient quality of life. 

Justin and his team have patented the SynerFuse e-TLIF™ procedure which aims to make traditional spine implant surgery more successful and cost effective by combining neuromodulation at the time surgeons are performing fusion back surgery. SynerFuse has completed a proof-of-concept study of 15 patients and they're coming up to a 12-month review of post-surgery results in October.

A certified public accountant, Justin has experience in corporate finance, entrepreneurship and startup development. He has previously led fundraising efforts resulting in $68 million of investment, including $34 million in angel funding and 34 million in Series A funding from a strategic investor. 

In this episode you will hear about:

• The global need to address opioid dependency by developing innovative drug-free treatments for chronic pain
• How SynerFuse’s e-TLIF technology stimulates the dorsal root ganglion as part of spinal fusion surgery – a world-first approach 
• How Justin and his co-founders overcame skepticism from specialists and the challenges of the COVID pandemic to get FDA approval on a feasibility study 
• Why Justin has invested his own money into SynerFuse and his advice to other unconventional entrepreneurs.

 Learn more about SynerFuse and the e-TLIF procedure.

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In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Dr Amir Zalcenstein, Managing Director of SYNthesis BioVentures. SYNthesis BioVentures is a registered early-stage venture Capital Limited partnerships fund, focused on early-stage therapeutics investing in projects from discovery through preclinical proof of concept and IND enabling studies. 

Amir and the team are investing in small molecule therapeutics, biologics and cell and gene therapies for conditions with significant unmet need. Their aim, to accelerate the development of cutting-edge therapies and technologies, ultimately improving patient outcomes and delivering value to their investors. 

Along with a PhD in molecular biology and an MBA, Amir has an extensive background in healthcare and international operations experience, having previously been head of business development for BiondVax, CEO of Amorphical and SoluBest, and a healthcare investment manager at OneVentures. 

In this episode you will hear about:

• How SYNthesis BioVentures is supporting early-stage research, 
• Opportunities to partner with overseas biotech firms and license underutilised, innovative therapies for western markets
• The challenges of financing biotech innovations, and the role of crossover funds in bridging early-stage investments with public markets 
• The importance of smart collaboration, and the need for startups to assemble a varied and knowledgeable team.

 Learn more about SYNthesis BioVentures

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In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Dr Anne-Laure Puaux, inaugural CEO of WEHI Ventures and Head of Business Development at WEHI.

WEHI Ventures manages 66ten, a first of its kind pre-seed and seed strategic investment fund of $66 million, dedicated to ideas developed by or in collaboration with, WEHI. With a grand vision of investing $66 million over 10 years in groundbreaking medical innovations, 66ten is the largest internal pre-seed and seed fund created by an Australian medical research institute, established to bridge the gap between scientific discoveries and commercial viability.

Before joining WEHI, Anne-Laure worked in Europe, US, Asia and Australia as part of biotech companies and multinational pharmaceutical companies such as GSK. Through these roles, she gained extensive global experience designing, evaluating, negotiating, and closing deals between academic research institutions, biotech companies, private investors and large multinational companies. She has also completed a PhD in Immunology and an MBA. 

In this episode you will hear about:

• How WEHI Ventures is focusing on turning early-stage discoveries into commercial successes, and its strategic management approach to high-risk, high reward projects that may be too risky or too early-stage for traditional investors
• The importance of collaboration between academia and industry in translating early-stage discoveries into market-ready therapies
• Anne-Laure’s insights into how Australia needs to strengthen its innovation ecosystem to catalyse biotech commercialisation 
• The strategic importance of mentorship when opportunities to explore different career pathways may be limited.

Learn more about WEHI Ventures
Learn about Dr Anne-Laure Puaux

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