Melbourne

The Health Papers
Digital Health, MedTech & Biotech

PROGRESSIVE DINNER | 3 SEPTEMBER 2024

As part of The Industry Papers initiative, InnovationAus.com hosted a Health Industry progressive dinner at the iconic State Library of Victoria on Tuesday 3rd of September 2024.

This was a Gathering of the Tribes, a Meeting of the Minds from across the health sector. The dinner drew together commercial Digital Health, MedTech, and BioTech interests and put them in front of state and federal policymakers – from ministers to policy advisors to influential backbenchers. It included a mix of senior public servants, institutional researchers, and administrators.

‘The Dome’ of the State Library of Victoria was a stunning venue, dripping in history and gravitas, befitting these important conversations and highlighted the value of the opportunities they addressed.

The format of the evening was a progressive dinner, which involved attendees switching tables between courses to engage in a series of moderated discussions. Industry leaders, government representatives and investors openly shared their perspectives on the future of health tech in Australia, supported by a unique setup intended to break down silos and drive forward-thinking solutions.

We were honoured to have Dr. Michelle Ananda-Rajah MP, Member for Higgins, Victoria, and a specialist in infectious diseases and general medicine, as our opening speaker.

This event was designed to explore the pivotal issues, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of health in Australia and beyond.

We’ll covered the key themes at the forefront of the health tech discourse, including:

Building health tech products for global markets: Where and why are we successful, and what adjustments need to be made to improve Australia’s ‘run rate’ of global success?
Sovereign capability in a health context: From cell therapy to vaccines, ventilators and hospital grade materials (e.g. IV bags) – what matters, and how do we plan for continuity and supply?
Regulatory frameworks: Getting the balance right and recommendations for harmonisation
The go-to destination for clinical trials: Australia’s stable and diverse population, coupled with a robust regulatory environment, is positioning us as a global leader in clinical trials. How can we leverage this to enhance our reputation and expertise in such a critical area?
Experienced capital: Is the dearth of specialist VC in the health sector holding us back? And where do new government funds such as the NRF and Breakthrough Victoria fit into the picture?