MTPConnect and Medicines Australia sign MoU to boost Australia’s innovative medicines sector

Monday, 23 January 2017, AustraliaMTPConnect – the Medical Technologies, Biotechnologies and Pharmaceuticals Industry Growth Centre – and Medicines Australia – the membership organisation representing the discovery-driven pharmaceutical industry in Australia – have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work collaboratively to boost the innovative pharmaceutical industry in Australia.

The collaboration will see the two organisations combining their efforts to champion a sector-led approach to accelerate the growth of the ecosystem, through activities to unify and educate the medical technology, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical (MTP) sector, as well as engage with government to create a positive regulatory environment.

Together, MTPConnect and Medicines Australia will support the innovative medicines and vaccines industry to:

  • Develop priorities in areas of competitive advantage that relate to the MTP sector;
  • Identify opportunities for organisations within the sector to collaborate on R&D by pooling and sharing resources;
  • Showcase the extraordinary talent of the people that work with our industry; and,
  • Partner with the Australian Government to enable this sector to thrive and lead economic repair.

Sue MacLeman, Chief Executive Officer of MTPConnect, said, “Medicines Australia is an important advocate and resource for the Australian pharmaceuticals industry. By signing an MoU with Medicines Australia, MTPConnect is excited to combine our efforts achieve our common goal of guiding Australia to realise its full potential as a world leader in the sector.

“The newly released MTPConnect Sector Competitiveness Plan – a 10-year strategic plan to boost the innovation, productivity and competitiveness of Australia’s medical technology, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical sector – addresses key issues such as collaboration and regulatory impediments. Through forging important partnerships such as this one, we are taking the first steps forward to achieve our shared visions of transforming Australia into an MTP hub that will deliver innovative and world-leading healthcare.”

Milton Catelin, Medicines Australia Chief Executive said, “The opportunity to work closely with MTPConnect will help our industry to focus on our global competitiveness.”

“This partnership will help to ensure the clinical trials environment in Australia is world leading and brings benefits to the Australian community be offering early access to medicines.”

“Our aim is to address key impediments to competitiveness within our sector. By overcoming the obstacles that impede the translation of research and development into market-ready medicines and vaccines, we keep Australians out of hospitals, prevent disease, boost productivity and the economy.”

“MA also looks forward to working with MTPConnect to identify opportunities to address regulations that are unnecessary or overly burdensome that impede growth of this important industry.”>

-ENDS-

About MTPConnect

MTPConnect was formed as a not-for-profit organisation in November 2015 as part of the federal government’s $250 million Industry Growth Centres Initiative to accelerate the rate of growth of the MTP sector, achieve greater commercialisation and establish Australia as an Asia-Pacific hub for MTP companies.

The MTPConnect Head Office is located at the New Horizons Building at Monash University, co-located with CSIRO and industry. There are also key hubs at the University of Sydney’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology and the Medical Device Research Institute at Flinders University at Tonsley in Adelaide.

About Medicines Australia

Medicines Australia represents the innovative medicines and vaccines industry in Australia. Our member companies discover, invent, manufacture and supply innovative medicines and vaccines to the Australian community. Those medicines keep Australians out of hospitals, prevent disease and play a pivotal role in ensuring a productive and healthy community.

Medicines Australia drives the creation and development of a predictable environment for the continued, sustainable growth of the innovative and research-based prescription medicines industry so that Australians can continue to lead longer and healthier lives.

Media inquiries:

Zoe Stephenson
Corporate Communications Manager, MTPConnect
+61 3 9905 1757
zoe.stephenson@mtpconnect.org.au

Natalie Wimmer
Communications Manager, Medicines Australia
0450 728 660
Natalie.Wimmer@medicinesaustralia.com.au