Thanks to a generous donation facilitated at Australia's largest investment and philanthropy conference, Flinders University's Medical Device Research Institute will now receive $540,000 to advance its innovative medical devices and technologies.
An annual one-day event that brings together the investment community for a philanthropic purpose, Sohn Hearts & Minds was held in Adelaide for the first time last year, thanks to support from the South Australian Government.
Together, the 600 or so attendees representing more than $1 trillion worth of investment and funds under management, raised $1.4 million for charity.
Three South Australian research institutes will now share that donation, with the Kids Research Institute Australia and the South Australian Medical Research Institute also receiving funds.
Based at the Tonsley Innovation District, Flinders' Medical Device Research Institute (MDRI) conducts world-leading collaborative research, working directly with industry to develop innovative medical technology from proof-of-concept and prototyping to clinical evaluation and commercialisation.
Director of the MDRI, Professor Karen Reynolds, thanked Sohn Heart & Minds for their generous donation.
"Technology is advancing at a rapid pace, and alongside an evolving healthcare system, MDRI is proud to be a leader in this transformation, developing new solutions and driving healthy futures," says Professor Reynolds.
"This donation will further allow us to advance our multidisciplinary research in medical devices and assistive technologies, fostering collaboration with industry and clinicians to develop innovative solutions that improve patient care and wellbeing."
Since launching in 2016, Sohn Hearts & Minds has used its proceeds to fund Australian medical research – having raised more than $78 million alongside its philanthropic listed investment company Hearts and Minds Investments Limited (HM1).
In total, the conference has hosted 209 speakers and been attended by more than 7,800 people across the cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and now Adelaide.
"We're proud to support these brilliant minds as they push the boundaries of discovery and impact," says Maggie O'Neill, Head of Marketing and Operations at Hearts and Minds Investments.
"These projects have the potential to drive meaningful change-through cutting-edge medical devices, advancing precision medicine for Indigenous communities, and deepening our understanding of neurodegenerative disease.
"Expanding our support to South Australian researchers reflects our commitment to backing world-class medical innovation across Australia. We sincerely thank the Government of South Australia and Invest SA for supporting Sohn Hearts & Minds in Adelaide last year."
South Australian Minister for Trade and Investment Joe Szakacs says hosting Australia's premier investor event and thought leadership conference in Adelaide meant 600 senior representatives and key decision-makers from over 450 organisations came to our state, expanding connections for local business.
"But it will also leave a permanent legacy for South Australian medical research."
"These investments in the future of science will help to boost the well-being of our community as researchers strive to continue making our lives happier, and longer."
