Innovation – turning a great idea into a new, accessible product or service – never occurs in isolation. It needs collaboration which is sparked by connection.
In health and medical innovation, we talk about the globally connected ecosystem because ours is a global endeavour that requires collegial bright minds, significant investment, the world’s most advanced science and manufacturing infrastructure, a harmonised regulatory environment across countries, resilient supply chains and access to global markets. Start-ups and scaling companies are born global, but are often new to partnering and collaboration. As they mature, connections and partners for R&D, funding, clinical trials, manufacturing, regulatory, business affairs and distribution become essential.
Yet there isn’t an app or a little black book for all the people they need to work with, so how can we accelerate the establishment of strategic connections to underpin innovation?
This is exactly what the not-for-profit and independent organisation MTPConnect was established to do in the medical technology and pharmaceutical sector in Australia.
Strategic connections take dedicated personnel who engage with a whole range of stakeholders, understand the health innovation process and are skilled at connecting the dots between need and opportunity.
MTPConnect’s Adelaide Intermediary Program is a case in point. It is a $3 million initiative seeded by the Government of South Australia to support the growth of the state’s health and medical innovation sector – and connection is a cornerstone of its activities.
It’s made possible by a team of four who make all kinds of connections. They work with clinicians, researchers, entrepreneurs, business professionals, funders, manufacturers, service providers and government. They link companies to research organisations, investors to innovations, skilled experts to opportunities and more.
The team takes a bespoke approach, meeting stakeholders on their innovation journey, and leveraging the team’s diverse experience and networks to help them along the way. This is further amplified by tapping into MTPConnect’s national team of professionals who are connected across Australia and internationally.
The Program is already delivering. New connections have sparked impressive collaborations, new initiatives are underway and more funding is flowing. And we are only just getting started.
The importance of connections as a precursor to collaboration can’t be overstated and the role of dedicated resources to spark those connections.
