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.

Updated version 05/08/22

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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In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Dr Megan Baldwin, Founder, Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Director of Opthea Limited. 

Opthea limited is a global biopharmaceutical company aspiring to become the leader of therapeutic innovation in retinal diseases. They have a world class team of ophthalmology experts working to develop breakthrough therapies for those who suffer from retinal disease.  

Megan has over 20 years of experience focusing on angiogenesis and therapeutic strategies for cancer and ophthalmic indications. With a PhD in medicine from the University of Melbourne, and having conducted her postdoctoral studies at Genentech, Megan joined Circadian Technologies Limited, now Opthea, in 2008 as Head of Preclinical R&D, and became Chief Executive in 2014. Today, she's a member of the Australian Institute for Company Directors, a board member of AusBiotech and serves on the boards of public and private companies.

In this episode you will hear about: 

• How Opthea is working to improve outcomes for patients with wet AMD. 
• Insight into Opthea’s strategy for attracting investment in its early-stage research and beyond  
• What Megan thinks Australia needs to do in order to support translation of Australian innovation 
• Megan’s advice for seeking mentorship and the importance of looking outside of your network. 

 Learn more about Opthea. 

 Read about Megan Baldwin.  

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In the latest episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Bronwyn Le Grice, CEO and Managing Director of ANDHealth.

Bronwyn has over 20 years executive experience in health technology commercialisation, venture capital, capital raising and industry advocacy.  

In 2017, she founded ANDHealth – which is now one of Australia’s leading health technology commercialisation organisations.  

It’s flagship ANDHealth+ program has a successful track record in taking businesses to scale, with companies selected in the program raising over $150 million in dilutive and non-dilutive funding, creating 400+ jobs, undertaking 72 clinical studies and impacting over 700,000 patients over the past 6 years. 

In this episode, you will learn more about: 

• How digital health technology could shape the future of health care.
• Opportunities digital health provides to increase efficiency of care.
• Advice for digital health companies thinking of being part of an incubator or accelerator.
• Some of the key challenges faced by Australia in building  a world class digital health industry.

Discover more about ANDHealth.

Read about Bronwyn Le Grice

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In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Alon Greenspan, Managing Partner at Mind Ventures.

Mind Ventures is touted as the world’s first mental health-focused for-profit venture fund. Seeded by the Black Dog Institute, Mind Ventures invests in scalable, evidence-based solutions across the mental health spectrum, from illness to well-being.

Alon has a wealth of international global tech M&A and venture capital experience, having previously worked at Jelix Ventures, Herzog Fox, and Arnold Bloch Liebler. With degrees in commerce and law, he is also an active angel investor and start-up advisor.

In this episode you will hear about:

• The mission of Mind Ventures and the need for innovations in mental health
• The role of an angel investor and the benefits for founders in connecting with them
• Alon’s advice for start ups and building long term relationships as an entrepreneur
• Lessons Alon has learned as an impact investor.

Learn more about Mind Ventures

Updated version 05/08/22

In the latest episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Stephen Tomisich, Co-founder and CEO of Trajan Scientific and Medical.   

Based in Melbourne, Trajan develops and manufactures analytical science instruments, devices and solutions for health care, as well as for food and environment analysis – the only company of its kind listed on the ASX. 

Stephen has a strong acquisition strategy, having grown Trajan from a kitchen table concept in 2011 to a global collaborator. Over the last 13 years, Trajan has acquired twelve businesses across the US, Europe and Asia; developing Trajan’s key capabilities and product lines for emerging technologies.  

In this episode, you will hear more about: 

• Trajan’s unique business model and approach to acquisitions 
• How purpose, passion and an ‘all in’ mindset laid the foundations for global success
• Why it’s important to be your own threat as an innovator 
• Four books Stephen recommends entrepreneurs read.

Learn more about Trajan Scientific and Medical.

Stephen is a panellist at the upcoming Bionics Institute Innovation Lecture on 29 May in Melbourne. Learn more about the event and register your interest in attending.

Updated version 05/08/22