Med Tech Talks Podcast

In the latest episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Professor Max Ortiz Catalán, Head of the Neural Prosthetics Research Program at the Bionics Institute.

In additional to his role at the Bionics Institute, he is also the Founder of the Center for Bionics and Pain Research (CBPR) in Sweden – a multidisciplinary engineering and medical collaboration between Chalmers University of Technology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, and Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg.
Professor Ortiz Catalán’s mission is to develop and clinically implement technologies to eliminate disability and pain due to sensorimotor impairment.

The Bionics Institute and CBPR are now working closely together to this mission.

In this episode you will hear about:

• Max’s innovation journey from Monterrey, Mexico; to Gothenburg, Sweden; to Melbourne, Australia.
• The development of the bionic limb and how augmented reality can be used to relieve phantom limb pain.
• What motivates Max to find innovative ways to help those with amputation.

More information:

Learn more about Max Ortiz Catalán.

Read more about Max’s research into the bionic limb.

Updated version 05/08/22

In the latest episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Professor Steve Wesselingh, CEO of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

An infectious disease physician and researcher in HIV vaccine development and the impact of the microbiome on human health, Steve has a wealth of medical experience, clinical leadership, and national and international success.

The NHMRC is Australia's lead agency, driving innovative health and medical research to improve the health of all Australians.

Along with providing an ethical framework for health and medical research in our country, the NHMRC supports the discovery of new knowledge and its translation into public health, health services and medical products to improve health outcomes for all Australians.

In this episode you will hear about:

• Steve’s journey to becoming one of the world’s leading HIV researchers.
• The influence international experience in the US and Papua New Guinea had on his career
• Funding opportunities that could help Australia improve med tech or clinical outcomes
• Steve’s priorities as CEO of the NHMRC over the next 24 months and beyond, including government strategy input, and working more closely with the Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC)

Learn more about Professor Steve Wesselingh

Read more about the NHMRC.

Updated version 05/08/22

In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Dr Megan Baldwin, Founder, Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Director of Opthea Limited.

Opthea limited is a global biopharmaceutical company aspiring to become the leader of therapeutic innovation in retinal diseases. They have a world class team of ophthalmology experts working to develop breakthrough therapies for those who suffer from retinal disease.

Megan has over 20 years of experience focusing on angiogenesis and therapeutic strategies for cancer and ophthalmic indications. With a PhD in medicine from the University of Melbourne, and having conducted her postdoctoral studies at Genentech, Megan joined Circadian Technologies Limited, now Opthea, in 2008 as Head of Preclinical R&D, and became Chief Executive in 2014. Today, she's a member of the Australian Institute for Company Directors, a board member of AusBiotech and serves on the boards of public and private companies.

In this episode you will hear about:

• How Opthea is working to improve outcomes for patients with wet AMD.
• Insight into Opthea’s strategy for attracting investment in its early-stage research and beyond
• What Megan thinks Australia needs to do in order to support translation of Australian innovation
• Megan’s advice for seeking mentorship and the importance of looking outside of your network.

Learn more about Opthea.

Read about Megan Baldwin.

Updated version 05/08/22

In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Justin Zenanko, co-founder, CEO and president of SynerFuseTM, 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-TLIFTM 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 pain
• How 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

In the latest episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Dr Dean Freestone, Co-Founder of Seer Medical.

A modern Australian innovation success story, Seer Medical was founded in 2017 and specialises in the early detection and diagnosis of epilepsy.

The company has developed a highly innovative, portable video-EEG-ECG recording system that patients can take home with them, rather than being limited to hospital use.

Dr Freestone was one of three co-founders of Seer and was CEO until 2023. Today, he holds a board position at Seer Medical.

In this episode you will hear about:

• Dean’s unique journey from his school days all the way to being Co-Founder at Seer Medical.
• How Seer Medical provides revolutionary new care and patient monitoring practices for patients with epilepsy.
• The sacrifices and challenges Dean faced on the commericalisation journey to make Seer Medical a success.

Learn more:

Learn more about Dr Dean Freestone.

Find out more about Seer Medical.

Updated version 05/08/22