Innovation challenge to drive medtech manufacturing

The Victorian Government is working to improve the lives of people with disabilities and health conditions by backing the state’s brightest minds to deliver new locally manufactured medtech.

A total of $400,000 in funding was announced for two innovation challenges that will fast-track the development of healthcare products.

The Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery Medtech Challenge and the Swinburne LivingAT Health Innovation Challenge will strengthen ties between allied health workers, clinicians, researchers, developers and manufacturers while propelling the commercialisation of new ideas that meet an unmet clinical need.

The Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery Medtech Challenge will focus on creating special equipment to assist people with conditions including type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis and neurological conditions such as epilepsy.

While customised designs for new mobility aids, like wheelchairs and walkers, are expected to come out of the Swinburne LivingAT Health Innovation Challenge working with industry partners.

The programs are funded by the Australian Medtech Manufacturing Centre – a Victorian Government initiative to spearhead the state’s push to become a global leader in medtech design and innovation, while building local manufacturing capability and creating jobs.

Victoria’s medtech and pharma sector is one of the fastest growing local industries, generating $21.4 billion in revenue and $3.5 billion in exports and supporting more than 31,400 jobs across industries.

The programs complement recent Government investments in medtech which have enabled companies such as Compumedics to make its medical-grade wearable monitoring device in Abbotsford after a decade of manufacturing overseas.

More information about the Australian Medtech Manufacturing Centre (AMMC).