Med Tech Talks Podcast

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 firmsDemystifying the role of a VC in research and developmentBrandon Capital’s incubator approach to risk and investing in early-stage innovations. Learn about Dr Chris SmithVisit the Brandon Capital websiteUpdated version 05/08/22

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 careerFunding opportunities that could help Australia improve med tech or clinical outcomesSteve’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. Updated version 05/08/22

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.Updated version 05/08/22

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.   Updated version 05/08/22

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.  Updated version 05/08/22

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. Updated version 05/08/22

In the latest episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Professor Andrew Wilks and Dr Chris Burns.Professor Wilks and Dr Burns are two research leaders who were involved in the incredible breakthrough of the drug, Momelotinib, which has emerged as a treatment for myelofibrosis – a rare type of bone marrow cancer. In this episode you will hear about:The journey of momelotinib from bench top to a commercial productProfessor Wilks and Dr Burns' experience as entrepreneursWhere momelotinib is today and the legacy of the Australian research effort.More information:Learn more about Professor Andrew Wilks Find out more about Dr Chris BurnsUpdated version 05/08/22

In the latest episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Professor Moira O'Bryan, Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Melbourne.Professor O'Bryan specialises in andrology and through her impressive research career, she has recently been given the prestigious role of a Dean at the Unversity of Melbourne which is ranked as the 14th best preforming university in the world per the QS rankings. In this episode you will hear about:Moira's journey to becoming Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of MelbourneCould the male contraceptive pill be a reality?Her thoughts on how the University of Melbourne can be a leader in innovation for Australia.More information: Learn more about Professor Moira O'Bryan. Visit the University of Melbourne website.Updated version 05/08/22

In the latest episode of Med Tech Talks, we present a special keynote speech from Dr Andres Fouras, Founding CEO of 4DMedical, recorded at the Bionics Institute 2023 Innovation Lecture. Dr Andreas Fouras and his team have developed a unique respiratory imaging system, which aims to change the outcome for patients with lung disease. In 2012, Andreas founded 4DMedical to commercialise the technology, which is now an ASX listed company.In his keynote, Andreas illustrates his entrepreneurial journey, speaks about the highly innovative technology at 4DMedical and shares some of his thoughts about innovation in AustraliaOver 320 guests comprising med tech executives, researchers, clinicians, government staff and investors attended the Bionics Institute 2023 Innovation Lecture to explore how Australia can accurately measure innovation, boost the med tech ecosystem and strengthen connections.More information:Watch the Bionics Institute 2023 Innovation Lecture recordingVisit the 4DMedical website

In the latest episode of Med Tech Talks, we present a special keynote speech from Kylie Walker, CEO of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE), recorded at the Bionics Institute 2023 Innovation Lecture. As CEO of ATSE, Kylie specialises in connecting technologists, engineers and scientists with governments, business, media and society with skills built over many years in senior federal communication and advocacy roles in science, technology and health sectors. In her keynote, Kylie talks about using metrics to unlock the potential of Australian research and development, and the impact measuring innovation could have for the med tech sector. Over 320 guests comprising med tech executives, researchers, clinicians, government staff and investors attended the Innovation Lecture to explore how Australia can accurately measure innovation, boost the med tech ecosystem and strengthen connections.More information:Watch the Bionics Institute 2023 Innovation Lecture recordingVisit the ATSE website