The National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation’s inaugural conference ‘Putting Rubber on the Road’was launched by Mr Paul Clitheroe who referenced this adage and the opportunity for philanthropy to help innovations gain traction. The Conference was held on the 9th and 10th of September 2015 at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney.
The event was attended by a national audience over both days. We wish to thank all attendees, speakers and those who have contributed to the event’s success. In particular, we are grateful for the support received from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (Conference Partner) and Celgene Ltd. (Conference Supporter).
‘Putting Rubber on the Road’ explored four themes to build a system wide understanding of opportunities and challenges of delivering impact from biomedical research.
Theme 1 – Biomedical research: Australia’s current state of play (9 September)
Panels and presentations under this theme set the scene and aimed to provide a current overview biomedical research in Australia, including our global innovation position, funding mechanisms and models.
Theme 2 – Filling the innovation pipeline (9 September)
This theme explored how improvements in policy and support could help deliver impact from biomedical innovations. It will also highlighted the challenges and opportunities to fill the innovation pipeline.
Theme 3 – Why collaborations lead to better biomedical investments (10 September)
We explored the role collaborations and partnerships play in advancing innovation, and explore how these can take place with global stakeholders, industry and government.
Theme 4 – Social and commercial investments in biomedical research (10 September)
This theme demonstrated the importance industry and venture capital play in translation and commercialisation. We also explored how philanthropists can make a difference through private and social investments.
Supporting biomedical research and innovations
This presentation provides some background to the conference. It outlines support for biomedical innovations and the need to enable collaborations to help put rubber on the road.
Our 2015 program is available for download below.
NFMRI wishes to thank our Conference Partner, NSW Department of Primary Industries, and our Conference Supporter, Celgene for their support and assistance. We also thank both speakers and delegates who helped make this conference a success.
