Med Tech Talks Podcast Bionics Institute

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 Smith
Visit the Brandon Capital website
Updated 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 Professor Max Ortiz Catalán,  Head of the Neural Prosthetics Research Program at the Bionics Institute. 
In additional to his role at the Bionics Institute, he is also the Founder of the Center for Bionics and Pain Research (CBPR) in Sweden – a multidisciplinary engineering and medical collaboration between Chalmers University of Technology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, and Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg.

Professor Ortiz Catalán’s mission is to develop and clinically implement technologies to eliminate disability and pain due to sensorimotor impairment. 
The Bionics Institute and CBPR are now working closely together to this mission.
In this episode you will hear about: 
Max’s innovation journey from Monterrey, Mexico; to Gothenburg, Sweden; to Melbourne, Australia. The development of the bionic limb and how augmented reality can be used to relieve phantom limb pain.  What motivates Max to find innovative ways to help those with amputation.  More information: 
Learn more about Max Ortiz Catalán. 
Read more about Max’s research into the bionic limb. 
Updated version 05/08/22