Article source: GFCC
New Zealand's MedTech Translator
In 2012, Distinguished Professor Sir Peter Hunter and Dr. Diana Siew (pictured left) founded the Consortium for Medical Device Technologies (CMDT) to address the lack of connectivity in New Zealand's medical technology (MedTech) industry. The CMDT brought together the Auckland University of Technology, the Universities of Auckland, Canterbury and Otago, the Victoria University of Wellington, and Callaghan Innovation (New Zealand’s government innovation agency) to foster collaboration and bridge the gap between research and commercialization. Initially funded by in-kind contributions, the CMDT's leadership facilitated collaboration and built trust among partners, eventually incorporating clinicians and the New Zealand Health System | Te Whatu Ora.
Expanding Translation Efforts: The MedTech CoRE and Te Tītoki Mataora
In 2015, the CMDT partnership established the MedTech Centre of Research Excellence (MedTech CoRE), funded by the Tertiary Education Commission, a New Zealand Crown agency, and hosted by the University of Auckland, to support national collaborative PhD research projects, and the development of early concepts. A pilot in research translation successfully supported 70 projects, with 20 becoming startups and 10 remaining active and growing. Key lessons learned included the importance of early clinical involvement, incorporating product design principles, and assembling diverse teams with complementary expertise.
This MedTech CoRE pilot led to the creation of Te Tītoki Mataora (TTM), also known as the MedTech Research Translator, which expanded the program to continue its success. TTM focuses on bridging the gap between research and real-world applications, facilitating the development of high-value pipelines with commercial potential. This partnership between five universities, Callaghan Innovation, and the New Zealand Health System | Te Whatu Ora ensures a comprehensive approach, encompassing research, innovation, and healthcare expertise.
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