A device to predict kidney disease and a diagnostic imaging tool for cancer surgery are among the innovations awarded a share of $450,000 for commercialisation.
A device to predict kidney disease and a diagnostic imaging tool for cancer surgery are among the innovations awarded a share of $450,000 to assist in the manufacturing of the technologies.
OncoRes Medical, Proteomics International Laboratories, SynGenis, VeinTech and VitalTrace are the five companies given vouchers from MTPConnect WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub which can be used for manufacturing-related activities.
The $450,000 will be matched with co-contributions of $600,000 from the funded companies.
Nedlands-based OncoRes Medical will use the funding to test the clinical feasibility of a diagnostic imaging system to guide the clearance of cancer in breast-conserving surgery.
VeinTech received funding to develop its VeinWave technology to make cannulation easier.
Both OncoRes Medical and VeinTech were developed at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.
Proteomics International Laboratories, which is based out of the Perkins, is manufacturing an in vitro device to predict kidney disease in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
The funding it received will support the company to establish WA-based manufacturing quality control capability for its clinical diagnostic tests.
Bentley-based SynGenis, originally created at Murdoch University, received funding to expand its manufacturing of high-quality DNA and RNA.
VitalTrace is developing a biosensor to improve the safety of mothers and babies during childbirth.
The voucher will fund the technology’s pre-production manufacturing activities.
State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Roger Cook said the state had an enormous opportunity to capitalise on home-grown medical technology to help diversify the economy and create more manufacturing jobs.
“The five successful recipients of this funding represent the type of cutting-edge research and technology that our state is capable of developing, and we want to support these companies to bring their products to market."
The announcement comes a few days after the state government committed $600,000 a year to the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub in a bid to diversify the state’s economy.
The hub is co-funded through the state government’s New Industries Fund and the University of Western Australia.
