MTPConnect Awarded Adelaide Economic Development Agency Grant for New Gateway Program

MTPConnect will deliver its Adelaide Life Science Gateway program for the Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA) after it was awarded a Strategic Partnerships Program grant announced at the AEDA Business Summit on May 20 in Adelaide.

Under the initiative awarded by the South Australian government, MTPConnect’s three-year Gateway program has been designed to position Adelaide as a global hub for medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovation and help to accelerate economic activity in the City of Adelaide.

MTPConnect CEO, Stuart Dignam, who attended the Summit, has welcomed the opportunity to work more closely with the South Australian government and the State’s innovators and entrepreneurs in delivering the new program – which is in addition to the work already being undertaken through the Adelaide Intermediary Program since 2022.

“MTPConnect’s commitment to a sector-led approach to growing the life science sector, as well as our national and international networks uniquely position us to deliver the Gateway program.

“Our focus for this multi-faceted program will be on showcasing Adelaide’s life science capabilities – facilitating international engagement, attracting life science investors, and promoting Adelaide’s pre-clinical and clinical trials ecosystem,” Mr Dignam said.

The program will include events and initiatives to promote Adelaide as a clinical trials destination, attract high-impact delegations, and deliver investor education for the life sciences sector.

The Gateway program will be led by MTPConnect’s Dana Bell, Director Adelaide Intermediary Program.

About the AEDA Summit

More than 350 business leaders came together to hear from the Premier and industry experts, sharing insights, discussion, debate and data (in a fun way).
The opening address from AEDA chair Steve Maras included the exciting  announcement about the Adelaide Life Sciences gateway Program.

Insights:
Adelaide 2028: Growth, Talent and Global Influence, panel featuring:

• The Hon. Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia
• Rebecca Humble, Chief Strategy Officer, QinetiQ Australia
• Adrian Tembel Chief Executive Partner, Thomson Geer, and Chair, South Australian Productivity Commission
•  Jane Kelly,, CEO CMAX Clinical ResearchCongratulations Jane Kelly for being “ loud and proud” in championing Adelaide’s ecosystem – highlighting success stories, job creation, and the power of clinical trial innovation to attract investment, and drive innovations.What an amazing platform to wish everyone a Happy Clinical Trials Day!Adelaide boasts a connected health and life sciences ecosystem which includes world leading research, capabilities, and infrastructure.Turbocharge:
•  BD Public + Private. Let’s get people to Adelaide, lets show them what we have, they’ll be back!
•  Affordable housing a key lever to attract and retain workforce, especially (younger) talent
• High-value sectors like medtech, pharma drive economic growth and high wages.
• Adelaide University: A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to align government, industry, and education in a bold new way.Adelaide Unlocked: Home Grown Success stories.
  Insights from Dr Sam Costello, Co-Founder of Biome Bank:
• Australia leads in research, but lags in commercialisation.
• The opportunity? Unlock capital, shift the risk-averse mindset, and invest in people with impact potential.

The team hosted guests from the local ecosystem including representatives from the clinical trials industry, investment and VCs, and Global Market Navigator program alumni at the AEDA summit

Check out the photo gallery: AEDA Summit 2025