Texas Medical Center and Biodesign Australia join forces

Texas Medical Center (TMC) and Biodesign Australia have teamed up to advance health and life science research through commercialisation, innovation and research.

The organisations will work collaboratively to facilitate opportunities between TMC Biodesign and programs within the Biodesign Australia network, and founders and entrepreneurs will be provided with access to talent, clinical trial activity, expanded funding opportunities and markets. The announcement builds on the TMC/Australia BioBridge, which was launched in 2018.

TMC Biodesign unites founders with mentors, business leaders and technical expertise to bring breakthrough technologies to market. The program, which launched in 2015, has raised over $41 million in capital with 11 companies founded and 25 corporate/academic relationships developed. Programs in Australia based on the Biodesign methodology commenced in 2016, with Biodesign Australia now including Perth Biodesign, Biodesign Melbourne, Biodesign Sydney, Adelaide Biodesign and Brisbane Biodesign. Collectively, the programs have trained hundreds of budding entrepreneurs through medtech and digital health courses, as well as boot camps and the iPREP Biodesign industry internship program.

Professor Kevin Pfleger, Director Biomedical Innovation at The University of Western Australia, said, “By uniting the programming, talent and expertise found at Biodesign Australia and TMC, we are creating a dynamic ecosystem that will help to shape the future of health care.”

“The launch of the Australian BioBridge in 2018 created a unique opportunity for the exchange of ideas, research and investment to advance medical breakthroughs both at Texas Medical Center and in Australia,” said William McKeon, President and CEO of Texas Medical Center.

“This expanded relationship with Biodesign Australia offers global opportunities for a new group of healthcare leaders, and we are excited to work collaboratively to provide a platform for innovation and commercialisation.”

The TMC BioBridge program facilitates the exchange of ideas and research at a global scale to better the patient experience and provide groundbreaking solutions for complex healthcare problems. The TMC | Australia Biobridge has co-designed the Healthcare Activator — a pathway for Australian Digital Health and Medical Device companies to engage with Texas Medical Center Innovation programs and partners. The applications for the inaugural cohort launched on 2 May 2022.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/denisismagilov