The new Biomedical Translation Bridge (BTB) funding program is attracting strong interest from Australian life science innovators.
An initiative of the Medical Research Future Fund and operated by MTPConnect, the BTB program offers funding of up to $1 million to support development and commercialisation of new biological, pharmaceutical and medical technologies.
Since the funding round opened on 1 July, more than 60 projects have already registered an interest.
MTPConnect Managing Director and CEO, Dr Dan Grant, says he’s not surprised by the strong early engagement.
“The BTB program provides a unique opportunity for life science innovators to secure significant financial support to take their research to the next stage along the translation and commercialisation pathway,” Dr Grant said.
“We’re looking to support projects that provide innovative solutions in any disease area using any therapeutic modality.
“With applications open for another month there’s still plenty of time for the Australian research community get involved in the BTB program and take advantage of the substantial funding on offer.”
MTPConnect is delivering the BTB program in partnership with BioCurate (Melbourne and Monash Universities), UniQuest (University of Queensland), the Medical Device Partnering Program (led by Flinders University) and the Bridge and BridgeTech programs (Queensland University of Technology).
“Our BTB partners are all pre-eminent organisations engaged in the translation and commercialisation of health and medical research,” Dr Grant said.
“By partnering with these organisations we are uniquely positioned to identify high-quality, early-stage projects and, by leveraging their expertise and commercial acumen, support projects in their translation to proof of concept stage.
“The successful projects we back through the BTB program will lead to new therapies, technologies, medical devices and preventative interventions to improve the health of Australians.”
Applications to the BTB program are open until 5:00PM (AEST) on 16 August 2019. Details can be can be found at the MTPConnect website.
