Flinders University Boosts Support for Medical Device Partnering Program
Recognising the significant and increasing global demand for innovative health and medical products, the South Australian Government is investing a further $900,000 to support the continuation of the Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP) at Flinders University.
An initiative of Flinders University’s Medical Device Research Institute, the MDPP works to foster collaboration between researchers, industry and end-users to create medical technologies where there is both identified clinical need and viable market opportunity.
State Government funding – delivered through the Department for Industry, Innovation and Science and matched by more than $1.7 million from Flinders University, research and industry partners – will allow the MDPP to retain its team of world-class medical device and technology experts and scale its global impact.
Flinders University Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling says the MDPP is a driving force behind South Australia’s burgeoning medical technologies industry, supporting innovations which are enabling people to live healthier, independent lives.
“Reinforcing our strong research trajectory, we welcome the state government’s support for our impactful medical device research to help promising technologies reach market, delivering social and economic benefit.”
Professor Karen Reynolds, Director of the Medical Device Research Institute says that the investment gives further momentum to the MDPP, “which has proven success in fast-tracking the development of medical products by providing resources, leveraging knowledge and encouraging collaboration between stakeholders in the innovation process.”
“This long-term partnership with and ongoing support from the State Government recognises the value that the MDPP has delivered to the sector and to the state over the past 15 years,” she said.
“It has been incredibly rewarding to see products developed by MDPP reaching the market and delivering economic and health benefit to South Australia.”
Dr Susan Close MP, Deputy Premier and Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science says the South Australian Government is pleased to support the Medical Device Partnering Program in its mission to translate this expertise into products that are in high demand globally.”
“This is great news for the customers that will benefit from these new and improved medical devices, and for the South Australian economy.”
“In the South Australian Advanced Manufacturing Strategy, published last year, the local production of medical devices – as well as medicines, vaccines and pharmaceuticals – was identified as a key economic opportunity for our state.”
Established in 2008, the MDPP supports companies with up to 250 hours of technical expertise, fast-tracking their research and development process and allowing participants to explore opportunities and resolve technical problems.
Last year, the Tonsley Innovation District-based MDPP celebrated 15 years of supporting South Australian medtech, with more than 850 projects assessed, over 200 workshops and 31,000 hours of technical expertise delivered, and 127 projects completed with tangible research and development outcomes.