The MTPConnect Podcast

MTPConnect
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  • LIFE SCIENCES

The MTPConnect Podcast Series connects with the people and the issues behind Australia’s growing medical technologies, biotechnologies and pharmaceuticals sector.

  1. Lightning Moment with Nobel Prize Winner Spurs on Misti’s Smart Inhaler for Advanced Respiratory Therapeutics

    MAR 31

    Lightning Moment with Nobel Prize Winner Spurs on Misti’s Smart Inhaler for Advanced Respiratory Therapeutics

    It was after an email exchange with Nobel Prize winning scientist Dr Kati Kariko, that Dr Anushi Rajapaska had a lightning moment and decided to back her research innovation – founding Mellbourne-based startup Misti to develop a ‘smart inhaler’ based on acoustofluidics. It’s engineered to deliver a wide range of biomolecules—including mRNA, antibodies, small molecules, and antigens.  It’s a first-in-class solution for both chronic and infectious respiratory conditions using super-sonic sound waves to generate ultra-fine aerosol for lung delivery of respiratory medications. While smart circuitry enables breath-triggered dosing and seamless digital integration. Anushi joins the podcast to talk about her 15 year innovation journey from PhD findings to setting up a global team connected to San Diego with a Victorian manufacturing base, the benefits of taking part in the JP Morgan Healthcare Week in early 2026 with Global Victoria’s delegation and the connections she has forged. We also find out about her recent trip to BIO China in Suzhou where she took part in a panel discussion alongside MTPConnect CEO Stuart Dignam about how biotech startups can navigate cross-border collaboration between China and Australia.  View preview of the episode!

    34 min
  2. Tips on Navigating FDA Pathways for Medical Devices

    FEB 26

    Tips on Navigating FDA Pathways for Medical Devices

    If you’re a medtech company looking to take your innovation to the US and want some tips on US regulatory strategy, listen in as this podcast episode is for you. As part of MTPConnect’s support for the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Program, MTPConnect brought US regulatory expert Jeff Gibbs to Australia for a three-city tour for a seminar and workshop ‘Navigating FDA Pathways for Medical Devices’.  Jeff is a Director at Hyman Phelps and McNamara – the largest law firm specialising in FDA issues, based in Washington DC, and brings his 40 years of expertise working with companies ranging from global manufacturers to start-ups. Jeff joins the podcast in Melbourne to discuss the device review process, the impact of recent changes at the agency under the new administration, how to get the most from your pre-submission, hot topics like cybersecurity, decision support software, biostatistics and clinical trial design and his top tips for success.

    41 min
  3. Dr Jordan Nguyen on Purpose-Driven Technology Solutions for Better Health

    12/22/2025

    Dr Jordan Nguyen on Purpose-Driven Technology Solutions for Better Health

    Dr Jordan Nguyen - world-renowned AI and biomedical engineer, inventor, TV documentary presenter and author of A HUMAN'S GUIDE TO THE FUTURE presented a thought-provoking keynote at MTPConnect’s Accelerator Showcase in Melbourne recently.  Jordan joins the MTPConnect podcast to discuss innovations in disability and aged care from his social business Psykinetic, where biomedical technology, AI, extended reality and robotics are applied to create inclusive technologies with positive and life-altering impact.  He shares his move from Resmed to set up his inclusive tech company Psykinetic, discusses his innovations including a mind-controlled wheelchair, and the importance of user-centred design. We also meet Jordan’s companion robot friend, Koobo, created through inspiration from his grandmother’s experience in aged care and his lifelong love of robots.  Check out our preview of the episode.

    30 min
  4. Raising Capital with MTPConnect and Wholesale Investor

    11/20/2025

    Raising Capital with MTPConnect and Wholesale Investor

    Are you developing a medical science innovation and need funding for your venture?  MTPConnect and Wholesale Investor are collaborating on a dedicated capital engagement program designed for life science companies looking for private investment.  Wholesale Investor Co-Founder and Managing Director Steve Torso is behind one of the largest capital raising platforms in Australia, and he joins the podcast to talk about how the MTPConnect Investor Ready program can help life science companies develop an investor network, build a skill base in investor communications and avoid some of the pitfalls when engaging with investors. He covers what to expect at our upcoming inaugural Life Science Investor Day as part of Wholesale Investor’s Emergence 2026 conference, which will bring together ASX-listed innovators, breakthrough private companies, and global investors driving the future of health, diagnostics, and therapeutics.  To find out more about the MTPConnect Investor Ready program and to register your interest, visit our website or contact Steve Torso. There are limited places still available.

    33 min
  5. Real Brain Technology is Powering Up Drug Discovery and Going Global

    11/07/2025

    Real Brain Technology is Powering Up Drug Discovery and Going Global

    Tessara Therapeutics, a pioneering biotech start-up based in Melbourne, has developed a platform which creates 3D human brain models using stem cells. Its RealBrain technology generates reproducible, scalable micro-tissues that mimic the complexity of the human brain. Ready to accelerate neural drug discovery – without using animal models. From working with CSIRO’s Kickstart program, receiving a CRC-P grant with Xylo Bio, and the University of Sydney  to develop neuroplastogens to research the treatment of addiction disorders and inking a new agreement with Swiss based InSphero, Tessara Therapeutics is helping to unlock human neuroscience.  Joining us on the MTPConnect podcast is Tessara Therapeutics CEO and Managing Director, Dr Christos Papadimitriou to tell us more about their innovation to accelerate neural drug discovery and their plans to take this technology global.

    39 min
  6. Showcasing Victoria’s Innovative Medtech Manufacturers

    10/30/2025

    Showcasing Victoria’s Innovative Medtech Manufacturers

    One of the challenges we face in Australia is getting more homegrown medtech products purchased and used by local hospitals and health services.  MTPConnect’s Pathway to Market – Medtech Capability Uplift Program has been supporting ten market-ready Victorian medtech manufacturers to position themselves competitively for local health procurement opportunities.  The recent Australian Medtech Manufacturing Alliance (AMMA) Medtech Showcase profiled Victorian-made products and innovations from 25 local manufacturers spanning surgical care and diagnostics to hospital consumables and equipment. From a new nasal swab designed for children to smart bedding systems for aged care and healthcare sectors, the lineup was impressive. The Showcase highlighted ‘Better Health Made Here’ – and the MTPConnect Podcast was on the ground talking to companies involved, including those taking part in the Pathway to Market program - Ventora Medical’s Edward Buijs,  Rhinomed’s Michael Johnson, Dentalife’s Tom Stray, Sleeptite’s Cameron van den Dungen and Certius Medical’s Tim Stewart - as well as local leaders Care Essentials’ Helen Skazas and Lindo’s Robert Gangi.  The Pathway to Market program is an initiative of the Australian Medtech Manufacturing Alliance (AMMA), delivered by MTPConnect in partnership with BioMelbourne Network and supported by the Victorian Government.  Applications for the 2026 Pathway to Market program will open towards the end of 2025.

    50 min
  7. Introducing Western Australia’s New Chief Scientist Professor Sriram

    09/19/2025

    Introducing Western Australia’s New Chief Scientist Professor Sriram

    Professor Sharath Sriram was recently appointed as the new Chief Scientist of WA, providing independent, expert advice to the WA Government on topics important to the future of science and technology in the State. At our WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub’s Spotlight event he joined MTPConnect’s Dr Tracey Wilkinson for a fireside chat sharing his vision for science and technology in WA, his ambitions for the three years ahead, and insights from his first few months in the role. Accomplished nanotech researcher and commercialisation champion, Professor Sharath spent 16 years at RMIT University in Melbourne most recently as director of the Discovery to Device manufacturing facility. In the last two years he also co-founded healthtech startups Fragment BioTech and Lubdub AI, and is the current president of the national peak body, Science & Technology Australia.

    38 min
  8. Why Space Matters for Advancing Life Sciences Research

    09/05/2025

    Why Space Matters for Advancing Life Sciences Research

    To mark our 200th episode, we are taking you into Space to discover the benefits of microgravity for health and medical research and its real-world applications. Can we use space technology to advance medical discoveries to improve health here on earth? And should we be doing more to connect our life science sector innovators into Australia’s space research sector? We meet leading Australian superstars working at the intersection of space and health technologies at MTPConnect SA’s Insights Series event “What’s Your Place in Space’, celebrating Australian Space Week in Adelaide. Australia’s first astronaut, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Director of Space Technology at the Australian Space Agency shares her view on why space matters, and the role of astronauts on the International Space Station as scientists in space. She reveals how biotech research in space using microgravity is revolutionising pharmaceutical development and unlocking treatments for cancer here on Earth. Aerospace medicine specialist Dr Gordon Cable from Human Aerospace, is working on a spacesuit design program, developing compression garments that "trick" the body into thinking gravity exists, with applications for burns, lymphedema and post-surgical recovery.  Dr Richard Harvey from the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space explains how the international research consortium is engineering smart plants in space labs, that operate as programmable biological factories for biomolecule synthesis, to produce pharmaceuticals, including compounds that protect against radiation and improve cancer therapies.  And Tiffany Sharp from Cambrian Defence and Space discusses launching medical research into space on a rocket in the Arctic circle - looking into the gut microbiome which shows how certain bacteria affecting anxiety and depression decline in microgravity, offering insights for mental health treatments.

    50 min
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About

The MTPConnect Podcast Series connects with the people and the issues behind Australia’s growing medical technologies, biotechnologies and pharmaceuticals sector.

Information

  • Creator
    MTPConnect
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    207
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The MTPConnect Podcast
  • Show Website
    The MTPConnect Podcast

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