Melbourne has secured five premier international life science conferences in 2019 and 2020 – boosting Victoria’s reputation as the nation’s leading medical technology and pharmaceutical investment destination.
The AusMedtech Conference in 2019, AusBiotech National Conferences in 2019 and 2020, and Biotech Invest Conferences in 2019 and 2020 are expected to attract thousands of delegates from across Australia and around the globe – promoting Victoria’s capabilities and reinforcing our position as a global leader in this sector.
These industry events maximise exposure for Victorian companies, provide access to investment and international capital, and open up partnering and networking opportunities that fuel sector growth.
The haul of conferences was achieved with support from the Andrews Labor Government, which is a strong supporter of the industry through its Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Sector Strategy and the state’s startup development agency, LaunchVic.
Life sciences represents a key growth market for Victorian businesses and employment, with global health care spending projected to grow by over four per cent each year.
The rapidly growing global medical device and diagnostic industry is valued at more than $100 billion, and demand for medicines is forecast to grow to $US1.5 trillion by 2020.
In 2016, Victoria’s medtech and pharmaceutical exports grew by 40 per cent to $1.7 billion, with the USA and Europe our key markets and Chinese demand continuing to grow.
Victoria is well placed to capitalise on this opportunity with strong capabilities in advanced manufacturing, clinical trials, research and development, education, and tech innovation, as well as attractive incentives compared to the US.
The Labor Government actively supports the industry through initiatives and projects including BioCurate, the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, the headquarters for the National MedTech Actuator and partnering with Johnson & Johnson to deliver the Quickfire Challenge: Driving Device Innovation competition.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy Philip Dalidakis
“Victoria is at the epicentre of the Australian medtech and pharmaceuticals sector, and is the natural place for these world class conferences to call home.”
“We’re thrilled to have secured five more major life science conferences that will give us the chance to showcase Victorian medtech and pharmaceutical capabilities to the world.”
Quote attributable to AusBiotech CEO Glenn Cross
“We are pleased that the Victorian Government is supporting these major life sciences events to be held in Melbourne – one of the world’s great biotech hubs.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020