Flinders University’s Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP) has hosted a two-day workshop for South Australian health technology companies at Tonsley.

With support from the Department of State Development, the workshop (11-12 June), delivered by BSI Group, provided companies with an understanding of ISO 13485, the quality compliance measure for medical devices.

MDPP Director, Professor Karen Reynolds said the MDPP was providing a portal for South Australian health technology companies to access relevant information and resources, which in turn was helping to grow the sector.

“The medical device manufacturing sector is highly regulated to ensure products on the market are safe and fit for their intended purpose,” said Professor Reynolds.

“Companies would normally need to send their employees interstate for this type of training, so the fact that we were able to hold the workshop here at Tonsley represents a significant cost saving for South Australian industry.”

Located at Flinders University’s new $120m Tonsley precinct, the MDPP provides medical device and assistive technology companies and inventors short-term research and development assistance as well as support for industry growth.

With access to grant funding via the State Government’s Manufacturing Works Medical Technologies Program (MTP), the MDPP is able to provide up to 250 hours of research and development assistance to approved applicants as well as a 30 hour market intelligence report.

With its unique understanding the demands from local industry, the MDPP is working to cement Tonsley as a health technology precinct for Australia, offering industry development support and facilitating engagement between industry, researchers and end-users.

“We have access to a network of experts covering the entire medical device and assistive technology development process, from research, intellectual property, design, manufacture, regulation and distribution,” said Professor Reynolds.

“Though avenues such as our regular events, we are able to provide access to relevant information and stimulate networking amongst the health technology community.”

Their most recent MDPP networking event was held last month (25th May) and attracted almost 100 members from industry, research and government.

The “Introduction to Medical Device Regulation” event included presentations from interstate specialists including John Skerritt, National Manager of the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA), and Susi Tegen, Chief Executive, Medical Technology Association of Australian (MTAA).

“These types of networking and informational events are vital for SMEs and those companies looking to diversify into health technologies and for those simply wanting to keep updated with relevant information,” said Professor Reynolds.

For more information about the MDPP visit www.mdpp.org.au