Med Tech Talks Podcast

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.  

Updated version 05/08/22

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

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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.

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In the latest episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Dr Chris Smith, a partner at Brandon Capital - Australasia's leading life science venture capital firm.

Chris has extensive experience in the global biotech industry. With a PhD in immunology and an MBA specialising in innovation and entrepreneurship from the University of Cambridge; he has also previously been a business development manager with CSL; and is currently a Director of Aravax, Denteric, Ena Respiratory, MycRx, Q-Sera and Axelia Oncology, just to name a few.

In this episode, you will hear more about:

• Tips for pitching to investors and building a relationship with venture capital firms
• Demystifying the role of a VC in research and development
• Brandon Capital’s incubator approach to risk and investing in early-stage innovations.

Learn about Dr Chris Smith

Visit the Brandon Capital website

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In the latest episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Professor Steve Wesselingh, CEO of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

An infectious disease physician and researcher in HIV vaccine development and the impact of the microbiome on human health, Steve has a wealth of medical experience, clinical leadership, and national and international success.  

The NHMRC is Australia's lead agency, driving innovative health and medical research to improve the health of all Australians. 

Along with providing an ethical framework for health and medical research in our country, the NHMRC supports the discovery of new knowledge and its translation into public health, health services and medical products to improve health outcomes for all Australians.

In this episode you will hear about:

• Steve’s journey to becoming one of the world’s leading HIV researchers.
• The influence international experience in the US and Papua New Guinea had on his career
• Funding opportunities that could help Australia improve med tech or clinical outcomes
• Steve’s priorities as CEO of the NHMRC over the next 24 months and beyond, including government strategy input, and working more closely with the Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC)

Learn more about Professor Steve Wesselingh 

Read more about the NHMRC.

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In the latest episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Dr Dean Freestone, Co-Founder of Seer Medical. 

A modern Australian innovation success story, Seer Medical was founded in 2017 and specialises in the early detection and diagnosis of epilepsy.  

The company has developed a highly innovative, portable video-EEG-ECG recording system that patients can take home with them, rather than being limited to hospital use. 

Dr Freestone was one of three co-founders of Seer and was CEO until 2023. Today, he holds a board position at Seer Medical.  

 In this episode you will hear about:   

• Dean’s unique journey from his school days all the way to being Co-Founder at Seer Medical. 
• How Seer Medical provides revolutionary new care and patient monitoring practices for patients with epilepsy. 
• The sacrifices and challenges Dean faced on the commericalisation journey to make Seer Medical a success. 

Learn more:  

Learn more about Dr Dean Freestone. 

Find out more about Seer Medical.

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In the latest episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by the Honourable Jaala Pulford, Chair of MTPConnect, Vice Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Melbourne, and former Minister of the Parliament of Victoria. 

Jaala is well known for her career in public service where she has held several significant portfolios, including Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Small Business and Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy. 

In her role as Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, Jaala was at the forefront of agendas to boost Victoria’s innovation ecosystem including the $2 billion Breakthrough Victoria Fund and the securing of both Moderna and BioNTech vaccines for Melbourne. 

In this episode you will hear about:   

• Jaala’s career as a politician and her journey from Castlemaine, Victoria to the being a Minister in the Victorian Parliament. 
• Insights into her time as Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic.  
• Her mission as Chair of MTPConnect and her thoughts on how Australia can improve its innovation ecosystem.  

Learn more: 

Learn more about Jaala Pulford. 

Find out more about MTPConnect.  
 

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In the latest episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Associate Professor Fiona Brownfoot, specialist obstetrician at the Mercy Hospital for Women, clinician scientist at the University of Melbourne and Co-Founder of Kali Healthcare.   

Kali Healthcare is undergoing an exciting commericalisation journey and aims to transform pregnancy monitoring through the development of a wearable device that will allow expecting mothers to monitor foetal heartbeats at home.  

In her role as Associate Professor of Obstetrics at the University of Melbourne, she heads the Obstetric Diagnostics and Therapeutics Group – a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers focused on developing new treatments for obstetric conditions – whilst mentoring PhD students to become the next generation of clinician scientists.
 
In this episode you will hear about:  

• How Kali Heathcare aims to improve foetal monitoring with new portable, wearable technology in order  to detect and prevent pregnancy complications 
• The commericalisation journey of Kali Healthcare 
• Fiona’s thoughts on the power of mentorship to propel the next generation of clinician scientists. 

More information:  

Learn more about Associate Professor Fiona Brownfoot. 

Read more about Kali Healthcare. 

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In the latest episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Dr Devinder Chauhan, a highly respected retinal ophthalmologist and Founding CEO of Macuject. 

Macuject is a digital health company that harnesses AI to provide imaging and data solutions for ophthalmologists to them make clinical decisions when treating age-related macular degeneration.  

Dr Chauhan founded Macuject in 2017 and is currently making the transition from clinician to entrepreneur as he and his team aim to roll this product out in eye clinics both domestically and internationally to improve visual outcomes for patients worldwide.
 
In this episode you will hear about: 

• Devinder’s career as a retinal ophthalmologist and why he founded Macuject 
• How Macuject aims to transform the treatment of age-related macular degeneration 
• The lessons Devinder has learned as he moved from the clinic to become an entrepreneur.  

More information: 

Learn more about Dr Devinder Chauhan. 

Read more about Macuject. 

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