Melinda Boss, Donna Geddes, Amit Chakma, Leon Mitoulas, Robyn Owens

The University of Western Australia and Swiss-based company Medela AG are this year celebrating 25 years of continuous research partnership.

The milestone was marked with a celebratory reception this week, which included founders of the partnership as well as today’s leaders.

The relationship was formed to investigate mammary gland function and milk synthesis and removal, and was established under the vision and leadership of Emeritus Professor Peter Hartmann from The University of Western Australia and Michael Larsson at Medela AG. 

Significantly, the university-industry partnership has led to tremendous academic advances in our understanding of mammary gland biology and also to the development of 2 Phase Technology, a platform technology that runs throughout the entire Medela breast pump range.

Under the stewardship of a new generation of custodians this relationship is now entering its next chapter.