A new voucher scheme from the MTPConnect WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub will see a major boost for medical products manufacturing in Western Australia.
Established in 2015 as an independent, not-for-profit organisation, MTPConnect is Australia’s Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Industry Growth Centre, championing the growth of Australia’s vibrant MTP ecosystem.
Under the scheme, five WA-based companies have been awarded a total of $450,000 to accelerate innovation projects requiring advanced manufacturing capabilities.
Matched with cash co-contributions of $600,000, the initiative is injecting more than $1 million into WA medtech, biotech and pharma sectors.
Awardees include:
- OncoRes Medical – clinical feasibility of a diagnostic imaging device for cancer surgery
- Proteomics International – manufacturing next generation in vitro device to predict diabetic kidney disease
- SynGenis – establishing certified oligonucleotide (DNA and RNA) manufacturing capabilities in WA
- VeinTech – VeinWave: improving first pass cannulation success
- VitalTrace – developing Perth into Australia’s flagship precision healthcare biosensor development and manufacturing hub
MTPConnect Managing Director and CEO, Dr Dan Grant, congratulated the five successful companies.
“Manufacturing medical products is a national priority so we’re supporting these promising projects to develop their medical devices and diagnostics,” Dr Grant said.
“Each project is aiming to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians and if we can help them along the commercialisation pathway through our voucher initiative, these companies will also continue contributing to the state’s burgeoning innovation ecosystem.”
The voucher initiative, announced by Health and State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Roger Cook MLA, is being made available through the MTPConnect WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub, which is co-funded by MTPConnect, the University of Western Australia and the WA Government through the New Industries Fund.
All projects are due to be completed by 30 May 2022.
- OncoRes Medical Pty Ltd: With a focus on improving the accuracy of breast conserving surgery, OncoRes Medical is driven by a mission to eliminate repeat operations after breast conserving surgery. OncoRes Medical is developing key pre-production manufacturing activities in WA, advancing their development of a novel diagnostic imaging system that guides surgical clearance of cancer in breast conserving surgery.
- Proteomics International: Established in 2001, Proteomics International is recognised as a leader in the field of proteomics, developing and commercialising diagnostic tests for chronic diseases. The company is developing WA-based manufacturing capability of the PromarkerD diagnostic, which can predict the onset of diabetic kidney disease in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
- SynGenis Pty Ltd: Perth start-up SynGenis was established in late 2020 and now operates a large facility in Bentley Technology Park to manufacture high quality oligonucleotides (DNA and RNA) for the Australian and New Zealand market, and international customers. The company is seeking to expand their existing oligonucleotide manufacturing capabilities in WA to include ISO and GMP certification.
- VeinTech Pty Ltd: VeinTech aims to eliminate the guess work associated with cannulation, the most common invasive medical procedure. Their solution is a handheld ultraportable proof-of- concept prototype developed in partnership with a WA-based manufacturer designed to assist with visualising veins.
- VitalTrace Pty Ltd: Committed to empowering obstetricians and midwives to deliver the greatest outcomes for their patients, VitalTrace is developing a highly accurate biosensor to improve the safety for mothers and babies during childbirth. The voucher will support key pre- production manufacturing activities in WA.
