Demonstrating the buoyancy and growth of the sector, AusBiotech recorded its largest-ever face-to-face AusMedtech conference this week as the Australian medtech sector reunited and celebrated its achievements.
AusMedtech 2022's theme 'Medtech and Manufacturing: Building Global Capability', reflected the industry's international successes and aspirations, and drew more than 450 delegates and over 125 speakers from the Australian and international medical devices and diagnostics sector at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The in-person two-day conference offered delegates over 25 cutting-edge conference sessions, and connections through one-to-one AusPartnering meetings and numerous informal networking opportunities.
AusBiotech thanks its AusMedtech 2022 Programme Committee led by Chair, Peter Bradley, LBT Innovations; and members, Rachel Hooke, FB Rice; Sue Dafnias, Atmo Biosciences; Peter Lewis AO, Hydrix; Bronwyn Le Grice, ANDHealth; and Tam Nguyen, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne.
Keynote speakers included:
- Dr Vincent McCauley, Chief Medical Officer, Telstra Health on 'The role of connectivity in transforming healthcare through COVID and beyond';
- Tamir Meiri, Director, Venture Investments, and Kathy Connell, Senior Director, Early Innovation Partnering ANZ, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, on 'Medtech investment insights across Israel, USA and Australia: what's comparable and what's in contrast';
- Professor Nicolas Opie, Chief Technology Officer, Synchron on 'Unlocking the brain's roadmap for severely paralysed patients: accessing the brain's natural neurological highways through ground-breaking implantable technology';
- Dr Amanda Caples, Lead Scientist, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Victorian Government on 'Investing in innovation, discovering the next breakthrough';
- Adjunct Professor John Skerritt, Deputy Secretary, Health Products Regulation, Australian Department of Health on 'Medical device regulation update'; and
- Stuart Elliot, Co-CEO and Co-Founder, Planet Innovation on 'Manufacturing led Innovation – insights into Australia's role in the global manufacturing ecosystem'.
AusMedtech 2022 was proudly supported by the Victorian Government as the Host State Partner and was officially opened by David Latina, Deputy Secretary Jobs, Innovation and Business Engagement at the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions.
As a highlight of the event, the Conference Dinner offered stakeholders, including those who were unable to attend the wider AusMedtech 2022 conference, an additional chance to reconnect. Guests heard from AusBiotech CEO, Lorraine Chiroiu; the Hon. Jaala Pulford MP, Victorian Government; Dr Samih Nabulsi, Cook Medical; and Microba Life Sciences' Co-Founders Professors Philip Hugenholtz and Gene Tyson, for a night that showcased our sector's successes. The dinner was supported by Cook Medical and the Victorian Government.
In support of start-ups and SMEs, the AusMedtech 2022 programme featured a new 'Lunch & Learn Reverse-Pitch' event, supported by Illumina for Startups. This session offered an innovative approach to pitching with Australia's leading medtech accelerators and incubators presenting to entrepreneurs, and advising on how to connect with the right programme at the right time.
AusBiotech's Early-Stage Investment Forum, supported by Davies Collison Cave, offered eight early-stage projects and technologies the opportunity to gather feedback from an expert and investor group; advice that is essential when commercialising medtech technologies.
