The Bridge Program

Yesterday QUT (Queensland University of Technology) hosted the Bridge Program's third seminar for the year! 🌟 Protecting Your Discovery – IP and your commercialisation journey 🌟 Declan McKeveney, partner at FB Rice, delivered a fantastic presentation on the crucial role of IP in innovation and commercialisation. This exclusive seminar explored: • The value of patents as commercial and business tools • Patent protection: what it covers and how to strengthen your claims • The patent application process • Defining inventorship • Navigating third-party patents in product development The afternoon wrapped with a Q&A facilitated by Bridge Program Director, Lyn Griffiths followed by an opportunity to connect and exchange ideas with fellow innovators at our networking drinks. #BioTech #IPProtection #Innovation #Commercialisation #TheBridgeProgram

Brisbane people - join MTPConnect on August 26 at the TRI to learn what infrastructure is available to support your therapeutic development program, who to talk to at each organisation, and (most importantly!) what funding is available to help facilitate access. You will also hear from a company who has used services at each organisation. When we ran this event in Sydney, almost everyone learned something new about one or more of the organisations who presented, and nearly everyone indicated they plan to work with at least one of the organisations in the future. When veterans like Yanling Lu and Dieter Hamprecht hear about something new, you know you've done well! Mana Liao, PhD Andrew Bowskill Bernice Harris AusIndustry Tamlyn O'Connor Leigh Ford Laura Kearney Dr Idalia Ridley UniQuest The Bridge Program Lyn Griffiths Professor Sally-Ann Poulsen Jens Tampe Robert McLachlan Sam Harley Charles Ross Goslik Schepers Sarah Meibusch Chris Burnett Clare Treston Donna Patane Juli Forrest JP (Qual) Qld. FGIA MAICD MICDA Tony Aitchison Simon Puttick

Last week, I concluded my role as a Research Scientist with the Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering (ADPE) team at CSL. What began as a 6-week industry placement supported by The Bridge Program REDI fellowship for a feasibility analysis evolved into an incredible opportunity to kickstart new technology development. I am profoundly grateful for the chance to work in a translational research environment, focused on bringing new medicines to patients. Engaging with numerous therapeutic programs and New Product Opportunity evaluations has deepened my understanding of the unique mindset required for translational projects. The fantastic work culture and team-oriented environment at CSL have been truly inspiring. Professionals here work collaboratively towards common goals, fostering a culture of mutual support. As I embark on my DECRA fellowship at Monash Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, I'm eager to apply the insights I've gained to shape the direction of my research programs. Inspired by the leadership and team culture of the ADPE group led by Lauren Ely and Mark Liddament, I feel fortunate to have worked with exceptional colleagues: Sabine Rauth, Andrew Hammet, Marietta Landgraf, Lara Jupp, Chris Hosking, Jeremy, Irene and Ranj. I will miss you all but look forward to future collaboration opportunities.

It has been almost a week since #BIO2024 in San Diego - what an AMAZING event - I am still buzzing! Thank you to The Bridge Program for the pitch prize, to MTPConnect and Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation for the (pre-)BIO support, to Kevin Pfleger James Williams Peter Traianou Tracey Wilkinson Dr Liz Dallimore Celina Chew for the great pep talks, and to Bridgewest Group, Brandon Capital and Johnson & Johnson for the excellent networking events! I've so many exciting conversations to progress 🤩!

We were thrilled to send our Bridge Program Pitch Competition winners Mark Adams, Sinead Blaber & Lea-Ann Kirkham to #BIO2024 in San Diego! A Big thank you to all the organisers for a fantastic convention 👏 👏👏

A big thank you to our talented and hardworking 'Team MTPConnect' who have been involved in supporting Team Australia's presence and organising a raft of top level activities at #BIO2024 in San Diego to highlight Australia's innovative biotech sector. 🙌 Special thanks to Jarrod Belcher GAICD, Jo Close / MTPConnect Adelaide Intermediary Program, Jo Glew, Stuart Dignam, Caroline Duell, Tamlyn O'Connor, Tracey Wilkinson / WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub For putting this program together: ✅ Pre-BIO Top Level Site Visit Program to Illumina, Novartis, Truvian, JNJInnovation ✅ Australia-US Life Sciences Workforce Capability Roundtable ✅ Australian meet up event with SAN DIEGO ENTREPRENEURS EXCHANGE ✅ SA and WA Reception with Bridgewest Group ✅ Global VIP Australian Business Networking Reception at Hotel del Coronado ✅ Australian Women in Life Sciences Leadership Forum- Spotlight on Female Founders ✅ Korea - Australia Open Innovation Seminar with Korea Health Industry Development Institute ✅ The eye-catching 'Australian Pavilion' hosting business partnering spaces, decent coffee and some warm Aussie hospitality ✅ Announcements with ARM Hub (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) and Biocom California ✅ MTPConnect Podcast interviews for our upcoming series 'Bio Bites' 👋 And that's a wrap!

🔊The verdict is in from Team Australia - best BIO International Convention ever! 👍 Thank you to Australia's Minister for Industry & Science Hon Ed Husic MP for backing this delegation! 👏 And thanks to all the sponsors for working together with us to make the eye-catching Australian Pavilion & all the special events possible. 👋 See you next year! Stuart Dignam, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Global Victoria, Department for Trade and Investment, Trade and Investment Queensland, Investment NSW, Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, MTPConnect Adelaide Intermediary Program, WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub, Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), CSIRO, AusBiotech, CSL ASX, Cytiva, Novartis, Australia & New Zealand, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Tamlyn O'Connor, Caroline Duell, Tracey Wilkinson, Jarrod Belcher GAICD, Jo Close, Jo Glew.

Very fortunate to have been able to attend the Bridge Programs launch event in Sydney yesterday, and be part of the 2024 cohort! Thank you very much to the organisers. Was lovely meeting so many participants. Looking forward to the year ahead!

The Bridge Program 2024 has officially launched! A big thank you to our fantastic speakers�Nathan Martinez�&�Kumaran Mani�from�AstraZeneca, along with our Bridge Program director,�Lyn Griffiths�QUT (Queensland University of Technology).

Very much looking forward to tomorrow and The Bridge Program launch When I began my role at the University of Melbourne November 2019, I wanted to see what I could achieve if I went all in and focused on research. Was I fascinated by some esoteric extracellular matrix proteins or was there potential for translational impact? Through connections made and generous mentorship recieved from the Research, Innovation & Commercialisation Office at UoM and my Pharmaceutical Industry Partner, I have had the opportunity to do interesting science, learn about pharmaceutical industry, develop pitching skills … I am excited to continue this journey.