New Alliance to drive increased procurement of homegrown medtech
3 Oct 2024
To grow opportunities for medtech manufacturers to sell to health services, a new initiative, the Australian Medtech Manufacturing Alliance (AMMA), is forming to create a connected programme, led in Victoria and building on the work of the Australian Medtech Manufacturing Centre.
The Alliance is being established in partnership with peak industry bodies: BioMelbourne Network, AusBiotech, MTPConnect, and Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited (AMTIL); and the Industry Capability Network Victoria, with seed funding from the Victorian Government.
The Alliance seeks to create a unified industry voice, and will advocate on behalf of Victorian SME medtech manufacturers across the key issues impacting the sector.
This includes addressing procurement issues to increase the proportion of locally-made medtech in the Australian healthcare system – a goal that can be achieved by drawing on the wide variety of high-quality medtech products already on offer from local manufacturers.
Karen Parr, CEO, BioMelbourne Network and Alliance lead said, “Australia is home to world-class medtech innovators and manufacturers. Increasing awareness of these companies and growing local content in health, will support Australian health services to continue to deliver world-leading care and strengthen our country’s sovereign capabilities.
“The Victorian pilot aims to demonstrate the potential of this ambitious and important solutions-focused Alliance, and work as a stepping stone to empower the national agenda.”
Minister for Jobs and Industry, Natalie Hutchins, said “we know how important our world class medtech manufacturers are, which is why the Allan Labor Government is supporting the formation of this alliance.”
“The Alliance will advocate for Victorian medtech manufacturers on key issues impacting the sector and support manufacturers to sell their products.”
An SME capability uplift programme to support homegrown companies will also be codeveloped with partners to support companies to identify and navigate contestable local market opportunities.
Unlike other sectors, such as defence, no mechanism across the state nor country that helps local medtech manufacturers sell into the Australian health system exists.
Additionally, other international jurisdictions have clear pathways that support local medtech manufacturers to win customers in their home market. For early stage Australian medtech manufacturers who are often exporting to other well-established health markets, having a home market customer is an important proof point.
Creating a connected voice and pathway to unlock the ‘pull’ mechanism from Australia’s healthcare will enable patients to benefit from Australian products; and will also support future investment in medical science innovation.
The Alliance invites established Victorian medtech companies that are currently manufacturing medtech products and selling locally or globally, and contract manufacturing and development companies to participate. The Alliance will work with all peak bodies supporting the growth of the sector to build on and add to the work underway to help SMEs expand locally and globally.