Med Tech Talks Podcast

In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs CEO of the Bionics Institute, chats with Sarah Meibusch, a partner at one of Australia’s largest venture capital firms, One Ventures, about the current life science venture capital climate and how industry stakeholders can best present their organisations to venture capitalists. Sarah Meibusch specialises in sourcing life science companies and, using her global entrepreneurial and executional experience, plays a key role in shaping their future. In this episode you will hear about:Sarah's journey to becoming a venture capitalistHow industry stakeholders can best prepare themselves to be successful with venture capitalistsSarah's thoughts on the current VC climate in AustraliaMore information:Take a look at One Ventures' websiteLearn more about Sarah Meibusch hereUpdated version 05/08/22

In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs CEO of the Bionics Institute, chats with Professor Kate Hoy (Head of Cognitive Disorders Treatment Program, Bionics Institute) about how she is pioneering a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Professor Hoy has built an internationally renowned program of clinical research investigating non-invasive brain stimulation. By stimulating key regions of the brain affected by Alzheimer’s disease, TMS offers the potential to restore healthy neural networks. In this episode you will hear about:Kate's journey to becoming an internationally renowned neuropsychologistWhat transcranial magnetic stimulation is and how it could be the key to resolving Alzheimer's diseaseKate's thoughts on how scientists can become more effective communicatorsMore information:Professor Hoy's Alzheimer's research is the focus of the Bionics Institute's Christmas appeal. To support our research, visit our Alzheimer's Christmas appeal. Take a look at the Bionics Institute Alzheimer's research page: A new treatment for Alzheimer's Learn more about Professor Kate Hoy: Professor Kate HoyUpdated version 05/08/22

Over 200 prominent med tech executives, investors and researchers gathered to discuss why Australia lags behind so many other countries for med tech innovation, entrepreneurship and competitiveness. Hear how we can bridge the gap between research and commercialisation from our invited expert speakers and panelists:- Dr Andrew Nash - Chief Scientific Officer, CSL- Professor Michelle McIntosh - Director Medicines Manufacturing Innovation      Centre and Theme Leader at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences.- Dr Megan O’Connor - Managing Director, Kantara Consulting-  George Kenley - Chief Operating Officer, Seer Medical More informationTo find out more about commercialisation of research through medical device spin-off companies at the Bionics Institute, go to: Our Impact Updated version 05/08/22

In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs CEO of the Bionics Institute, chats with Dr Megan O'Connor (founder and managing director of Kantara Consulting) about the economic opportunities supported by improved communication and collaboration between business, academia and political worlds in Australia. Dr O’Connor established Kantara Consulting to support Australian life-science companies make an impact on the world. At the core of what she and her team does is communication – advocating for the biotech industry and helping organisations share details of their work with government, industry and investors.  In this episode you will hear about:Megan's incredible PhD experience at Lund University, SwedenThe foundation and mission of Kantara ConsultingMegan's thoughts on how Australia can learn from international leader's policies to drive medical innovationMore information:Take a look at the Kantara Consulting website: Kantara Consulting To find out more about commercialisation of research through medical device spin-off companies at the Bionics Institute, go to: Our Impact  Updated version 05/08/22

In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs CEO of the Bionics Institute, a world leader in the development of medical devices, talks to Lusia Guthrie, an experienced company director, founder, former CEO, technology developer and med tech entrepreneur.Listen to Lusia Guthrie as she describes herself as the 'accidental entrepreneur' detailing  her journey from the laboratory into industry where she founded LBT Innovations. Lusia commercialised a number of products and developed LBT Innovations into a global brand that now trades on the Australian stock exchange (ASX). Lusia is passionate about innovation and has a proven track record of driving concepts from early ideation stages through to commercial product launch. She is currently the inaugural Chair of Neo-Bionica. She is also Chair of the Australian Lung Health Initiative, Non-Executive Director at WearOptimo, and serves on several university and government industry advisory committees.In this episode you will hear about:Lusia's journey from the laboratory bench to executive chairHow chess can be used as a metaphor for driving successful businessLusia's thoughts on building Australia from innovation.More information:Take a look at Lusia Guthrie's biography on the Propper and Co website: Lusia GuthrieTake a look at the Neo-Bionica website: Neo-Bionca To find out more about commercialisation of research through medical device spin-off companies at the Bionics Institute, go to: Our Impact  Updated version 05/08/22

In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs CEO of the Bionics Institute, a world leader in the development of medical devices, talks to Professor Michelle McIntosh, Director of the  Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre and Theme Leader at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. MIPS was recently named #1 in the QS world university rankings for pharmaceutical sciences for 2022. Professor McIntosh is an award-winning scientist who is known for her inhaled oxytocin research, which aims to transform maternal healthcare, particularly in developing countries where price, injecting capabilities and cold-storage capabilities may present barriers to safe and effective childbirth. Professor McIntosh's career has seen her win numerous awards, such as the Monash Vice-Chancellor’s award for Excellence in Research Impact . She has presented her work on inhaled oxytocin to the United Nations General Assembly in New York and her work was recognised  former US Secretary of State and presidential candidate, Hilary Clinton. In this episode you will hear about:Michelle's journey from PhD student to  acclaimed scientist at MIPSSome insights into her research and the potential of inhaled oxytocin to transform maternal healthcare in developing countriesMichelle's thoughts on building Australia from innovationMore information:Take a look at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences website: MIPSTake a look at Professor Michelle McIntosh's Monash University Profile: Professor Michelle McIntosh To find out more about commercialisation of research through medical device spin-off companies at the Bionics Institute, go to: Our Impact  Updated version 05/08/22

In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs CEO of the Bionics Institute, a world leader in the development of medical devices, talks to leading neurologist Professor Mark Cook AO on his innovations to help predict and monitor seizures in patients with epilepsy. Professor Cook has been profoundly inspired to undertake a career in neurology through witnessing his father's struggles with epilepsy.Through his internationally renowned research and the foundations of two MedTech companies, Seer Medical and Epi-Minder, Professor Cook has made a tremendous impact in the treatment of epilepsy. In this episode you will hear about:Professor Cook's research and innovations to better treat epilepsyThe founding and mission of Seer Medical and Epi-MinderMark's thoughts on building Australia from innovationMore information:Read Mark Cook's biography : Professor Mark CookTake a look at the Epi-Minder website: Epi-MinderVisit the Seer Medical website: Seer Medical To find out more about commercialisation of research through medical device spin-off companies at the Bionics Institute, go to: Our Impact  Updated version 05/08/22

In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs CEO of the Bionics Institute, a world leader in the development of medical devices, talks to Professor David Grayden, Clifford Chair of Neural Engineering in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Melbourne Professor Grayden is a highly respected academic whose career has seen him work on flagship projects, including the cochlear implant in the bionic eye, epileptic seizure prediction, electrical stimulation devices and systems to prevent seizures and vagus nerve stimulation to control inflammatory bowel disease. More recently, Professor Grayden has pioneered the BioDesign Innovation program, a course offered by the University of Melbourne where teams of MBA and Master of Engineering students work together to explore, invent and commercialise medtech innovations.In this episode you will hear about:David's journey to becoming  Clifford Chair of Neural Engineering in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at University of MelbourneThe creation and importance of the BioDesign program to inspire future innovatorsDavid's thoughts on building Australia from innovationMore information:Take a look at the BioDesign Innovation Melbourne website: BioDesign Innovation MelbourneTake a look at Professor David Grayden's University of Melbourne Profile: Professor David Grayden To find out more about commercialisation of research through medical device spin-off companies at the Bionics Institute, go to: Our Impact  Updated version 05/08/22

In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs CEO of the Bionics Institute, a world leader in the development of medical devices, talks to CEO of Synchron about the persistence and perspiration needed to build an innovative idea into a thriving med tech start-up, and gives advice to fellow entrepreneurs.This series is dedicated to understanding what drives successful and impactful innovation in medical technology, and you would be hard-pressed to find someone as fitting for us to have as a guest on this podcast than Associate Professor Tom Oxley, who kindly joined us from New York. As well as being a renowned interventional neurologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, Tom is the founder and CEO of Synchron, a company that specialises in neural interface technology.  Synchron was born from Tom’s great innovation, the Stentrode, an implantable medical device that can translate brain thought signals from the inside of a blood vessel.  Thoughts captured from users of the stentrode are translated wirelessly digital devices designed to stimulate thought-controlled movement, which could transform the lives of people who are paralysed or have severely restricted movement. In this episode you will hear about:The story of SynchronSourcing start-up funding and tips for people in med techTom's thoughts on building Australia from innovation More informationTake a look at the Synchron website: www.synchron.com To find out more about commercialisation of research through medical device spin-off companies at the Bionics Institute, go to: Our Impact  Updated version 05/08/22

In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs CEO of the Bionics Institute, a world leader in the development of medical devices, talks to his colleague Dr Erol Harvey about his amazing journey from cutting diamonds with lasers, modifying the Hubble telescope and founding the incredibly successful company MiniFAB.Erol Harvey is CEO of the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery (ACMD) that will soon be home to the Bionics Institute, alongside many other leading research organisations on the St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne campus, and he talks about the importance of collaboration.We find out about Erol's amazing career in Europe before he returned to Australia to start a company, and his thoughts on what is needed to support innovation. In this episode you will hear about:Erol's work with huge lasers and the Hubble telescopeWhat it takes to build a med tech companyErol's advice for developing the med tech ecosystem.More informationRead about ACMD here: www.acmd.org.auTake a look at the MiniFAB website here: www.schott-minifab.comTake a look at the Bionics Institute website to find out more about our research into autoimmune and chronic conditions, and conditions affecting the brain, hearing and vision: Our Research | Bionics Institute To find out more about commercialisation of research through medical device spin-off companies at the Bionics Institute, go to: Our Impact  Updated version 05/08/22