Inside The Eye and Ear Hospital with CEO Brendon Gardner
In this latest episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Brendon Gardner, CEO of The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (Eye and Ear) in Melbourne.The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital is Australia’s only specialist eye, ear, nose and throat hospital and has been operating since 1863.The Eye and Ear sees over 250,000 patients a year and offers over 110 different outpatient clinics for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of vision and hearing loss. The hospital also has a 24-hour emergency department for patients requiring urgent care and treatment.Brendon Gardner first joined the Victorian Public Health care system in 1990 as a Health Information Manager and over the following 35 years, has held a variety of roles including 9 years as Chief Operating Officer of Peninsula Health. In 2019, he was appointed as CEO of the Eye and Ear.In this episode, you will learn from Brendon about:Brendon’s journey to becoming CEO of a major hospital in AustraliaThe mission and legacy of the Eye and EarBrendon’s objectives for the future of the Eye and Ear.Learn more about Brendon Gardner and the executive team at the Eye and Ear Hospital.Learn more about the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.Updated version 05/08/22
--------
36:46
Insights on Commercialisation, Spinouts, and Entrepreneurship with Dr Alastair Hick
In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Dr Alastair Hick, Chief Commercialisation Officer at Monash University.With a PhD in Chemical Ecology and an MBA from the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge, Alastair has a wealth of experience both in Australian and overseas markets and brings an ecosystem approach to commercialisation and innovation.At Monash University, Alastair has been responsible has developed a successful IP commercialisation program and an also oversees The Generator, a hub that develops the entrepreneurial talent of Monash’s students, staff, and alumni. Alastair has recently established a $15 million Monash/Breakthrough Victoria Pre-Seed fund and is chair of its investment committee. He was also a founding director of the $30 million Trans-Tasman Commercialisation Fund; is a director of Monash University spinouts Jupiter Ionics, Phrenix Therapeutics, Myostellar and Flex Immunotherapeutics; as well as an early-stage investor Uniseed and therapeutics development company BioCurate.In this episode, you will learn from Alastair about: The evolution of the commercialisation ecosystem at Monash University The role of entrepreneurial talent in innovation successChallenges in scaling and accessing investmentPotential role of the government in supporting Australian innovationThe importance of mentorship and confidence in entrepreneurship. Learn more about Dr Alastair Hick.Learn more about The Generator.Updated version 05/08/22
--------
38:13
Revolutionising Stroke Diagnosis: Scott Kirkland on EMVision's Portable Brain Scanner
In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Scott Kirkland, CEO and Managing Director of EMVision Medical Devices. EMVision (ASX:EMV) is an ASX listed, Australian med tech company focused on developing portable brain imaging devices using electromagnetic (EM) technology. It was spun out of University of Queensland in 2017 and had its IPO in late-2018.EMVision’s primary product is a portable scanner designed to quickly and non-invasively detect and monitor neurological conditions like stroke. Unlike traditional imaging methods such as CT or MRI, EMVision’s technology allows for bedside or on-the-go imaging, which can be particularly useful in emergency settings or in rural and remote locations to improve healthcare access.Scott has a wealth of experience in the emerging tech both here and overseas, having previously been Head of Client Sales at Quantcast, a US-based technology company. He is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.In this episode you will hear about:How EMVision is using ultra high frequency radio signals to differentiate stroke types, with the aim of speeding up diagnosis and treatment particularly within the first hour post-onset of a strokeFindings from the 300-patient trial* conducted in Australia, and the company’s plans for a pivotal US trialLearnings from EMVision’s capital raising, which led to a AUD$15M investment from Keysight TechnologiesThe importance for startups to build strategic relationships early on and to utilise finite resources efficientlyScott’s advice for budding entrepreneurs and those seeking mentorship.Learn more about Scott Kirkland and EMVision Medical Devices.*EMVision released EMView study data subsequent to this recording, see ASX release ‘Algorithms deliver excellent results in EMView study’ 12th Nov.Updated version 05/08/22
--------
39:11
Beyond Opioids: Justin Zenanko’s Vision for Spinal Fusion and Chronic Pain Relief
In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Justin Zenanko, co-founder, CEO and president of SynerFuse™, a medical device company based in the United States developing an innovative solution to reduce chronic back pain and improve patient quality of life. Justin and his team have patented the SynerFuse e-TLIF™ procedure which aims to make traditional spine implant surgery more successful and cost effective by combining neuromodulation at the time surgeons are performing fusion back surgery. SynerFuse has completed a proof-of-concept study of 15 patients and they're coming up to a 12-month review of post-surgery results in October.A certified public accountant, Justin has experience in corporate finance, entrepreneurship and startup development. He has previously led fundraising efforts resulting in $68 million of investment, including $34 million in angel funding and 34 million in Series A funding from a strategic investor. In this episode you will hear about:The global need to address opioid dependency by developing innovative drug-free treatments for chronic painHow SynerFuse’s e-TLIF technology stimulates the dorsal root ganglion as part of spinal fusion surgery – a world-first approach How Justin and his co-founders overcame skepticism from specialists and the challenges of the COVID pandemic to get FDA approval on a feasibility study Why Justin has invested his own money into SynerFuse and his advice to other unconventional entrepreneurs. Learn more about SynerFuse and the e-TLIF procedure.Updated version 05/08/22
--------
45:34
Unlocking Early-Stage Biotech: Dr Amir Zalcenstein on Transformative Science and Venture Capital
In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Dr Amir Zalcenstein, Managing Director of SYNthesis BioVentures. SYNthesis BioVentures is a registered early-stage venture Capital Limited partnerships fund, focused on early-stage therapeutics investing in projects from discovery through preclinical proof of concept and IND enabling studies. Amir and the team are investing in small molecule therapeutics, biologics and cell and gene therapies for conditions with significant unmet need. Their aim, to accelerate the development of cutting-edge therapies and technologies, ultimately improving patient outcomes and delivering value to their investors. Along with a PhD in molecular biology and an MBA, Amir has an extensive background in healthcare and international operations experience, having previously been head of business development for BiondVax, CEO of Amorphical and SoluBest, and a healthcare investment manager at OneVentures. In this episode you will hear about:How SYNthesis BioVentures is supporting early-stage research, Opportunities to partner with overseas biotech firms and license underutilised, innovative therapies for western marketsThe challenges of financing biotech innovations, and the role of crossover funds in bridging early-stage investments with public markets The importance of smart collaboration, and the need for startups to assemble a varied and knowledgeable team. Learn more about SYNthesis BioVenturesUpdated version 05/08/22
Robert Klupacs, CEO of the Bionics Institute, a world leader in medical device development, talks to leaders, investors, researchers and entrepreneurs in the med tech industry. He delves into their story, who and what motivated them along the way, and their advice to those following a similar path. He also explores the concept of innovation, and what it will take to improve the translation of innovation into commercialisation to change the lives of people living with challenging medical conditions.
New Zealand