[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz visited Medtronic’s Sydney offices today with administration officials and Minnesota business leaders to celebrate the Minnesota-based company’s 50th year operating in Australia.

“Medtronic is one of Minnesota’s great contributions to the world, and we’re seeing firsthand the global influence of their cures and therapies during our trade mission in Australia,” said Governor Walz. "Congratulations to Medtronic and their team in Australia and New Zealand on 50 years of med tech innovation.”

“We are pleased to host Governor Walz and the Minnesota trade mission in our Sydney office today and celebrate 50 years of our impact and innovation in Australia. This is a milestone anniversary as we continue to deliver our mission of alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life,” said Liz Carnabuci, Vice President, Enterprise Accounts & Services, Japan, Australia and New Zealand; Vice President, Diabetes, APAC and Greater China.

Medtronic has delivered over 40,000 distinct medical devices to patients in Australia and New Zealand and now serves over 2 million people in these countries each year.

Australia is an active destination for Medtronic’s clinical trials; over the last decade, the company has sponsored 68 studies (including 18 first in human trials) and 70 external research programs there.

Medtronic is one of more than 800 healthcare companies in Minnesota. The Biden-Harris administration recently designated Minnesota as one of the 31 inaugural Tech Hubs in regions across the country that show potential for rapid growth in key technology sectors. Minnesota MedTech Hub 3.0, a consortium led by the Greater Minneapolis Saint Paul Economic Development Partnership, will position Minnesota as a global center for “Smart MedTech” by integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science into medical technology.

“Minnesota’s medical technology industry leads the world, and we’re proud Medtronic is a part of our ecosystem,” said Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Matt Varilek. “Medtronic’s 50 years in Australia is evidence of the global nature of med tech innovation. We’re proud of the partnerships Medtronic and Minnesota have forged with our friends and allies in Australia and New Zealand and DEED is eager to support mutually beneficial growth and innovation going forward.”

Medtronic is one of about 40 Minnesota companies operating businesses at over 700 locations in Australia. They are among the hundreds of U.S.-based companies that employ 320,500 people and have invested nearly $47 billion in Australia.