Supporting Innovation in Surgery
Innovation is essential to modern medical practice. It identifies and implements new approaches and technologies to address unmet clinical needs. It improves health outcomes for patients and their families. And it fosters an environment of research and development that supports the growth of the medical technology industry.
However, bridging the gap from ‘bench to bedside’ can be difficult and requires a diverse skill set that spans direct experience of the clinical problem, through to how solutions can be assessed in a timely and cost-effective manner to maximise the potential for regulatory approval and adoption into existing clinical practice.
Dr Findlay is ideally suited to help researchers, companies, and entrepreneurs to bridge this gap. He has a strong track record of translational research and regularly partners with select medical technology companies and entrepreneurs to advise on multiple aspects of technology development. These range from preclinical and clinical assessment, regulatory approval processes, strategy and implementation in practice. Dr Findlay brings to these interactions a strong emphasis on ethical, evidence-based care and on managing risk during the assessment and transition of promising research into clinical care. In addition, he has a busy surgical practice, covering a broad spectrum of reconstructive plastic surgery. He therefore has practical, working knowledge of the needs of the end users of new medical devices, biomaterials and biologic therapies.
Dr Findlay heads the Program for Cellular and Molecular Innovation in Surgery at the University of Melbourne. In that role, he supervises higher degree candidates to develop and assess new technologies for application in surgery. Dr Findlay is also the appointed director of Australasian Clinical Trials in Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (ACTPRAS) - a binational clinical research initiative endorsed by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Australian Societies of Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASPS and ASAPS respectively). As such, Dr Findlay has extensive experience in clinical trials and an ever-expanding network of local, national and international partners to assist with subject matter expertise.
Whether advising as a consultant, as part of scientific advisory boards or as a direct partner in the development of new technologies, Dr Findlay is passionate about innovation in surgery and is an expert partner for industry.