QUT, MTPConnect and industry partnership will help to ensure Australia stays globally competitive.

Medicines Australia warmly welcomes the commencement of The Bridge Program – an initiative of a consortium of Australian innovative pharmaceutical companies and Medicines Australia, together with QUT and Medical Technologies and Pharmaceutical Growth Centre (MTPConnect) – who will translate Australia’s impressive innovation and discovery research into the marketplace.

The Bridge Program will commence in June this year for 100 participants and will also give two participants a travel scholarship to visit overseas pharmaceutical research facilities and develop global experience and business networks.

This industry-led initiative will create commercialisation opportunities for Australia’s bioscience research sphere and Australia’s pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.

Medicines Australia Chief Executive Milton Catelin said the kick off of The Bridge Program is a step in the right direction in filling the gap between the research sector and the marketplace.

“The Bridge Program will foster opportunities for researchers to make the connections necessary for commercialisation and to ultimately deliver better health outcomes for Australian patients by leveraging the extensive knowledge of the innovative pharmaceutical sector,” said Mr Catelin.

“Collaborative programs such as this one boost opportunities for commercialisation and investment, and sets the nation on a path to a more innovative and entrepreneurial economy.

“The innovative pharmaceutical sector has long been identified as a strategic pillar of growth for the Australian economy by the Federal Government and this initiative will help realise that.”

“The Bridge program provides, through training and networking, the knowledge transfer that happens naturally in other countries,” he said.

“In fact, initiatives such as The Bridge program are an essential tool to ensure Australia remains globally competitive in the innovative medicines space,” said Mr Catelin.

Contact:

Natalie Wimmer – Communications Manager
Phone: 0450 728 660
Email: Natalie.Wimmer@medicinesaustralia.com.au