University of Western Australia
Western Australia’s emerging medical manufacturing sector has been boosted by the expansion of the Springboard Medical Manufacturing Alliance from six to 15 members, who will work together to build a strong foundation for the sector.
Facilitated by The University of Western Australia, the alliance includes multiple product designers and manufacturers, along with small to medium-sized enterprises looking to prototype and manufacture their medical products in WA.
Professor Kevin Pfleger, Director of Biomedical and Health Innovation at UWA and the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub, said the alliance aimed to foster collaboration by partnering innovators with product designers and manufacturers while also training the workforce of the future.
Image: Professor Kevin Pfleger, Director Biomedical and Health Innovation, UWA and WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub; Hon Stephen Dawson MLC, Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy, Science, and Medical Research; Brett Alderson, President and Site Leader of NovaCina, and COO of Bridgewest Perth Pharma; and Kate Lewkowski, CEO and Co-founder, Neurotologix.
In July 2023, WA Premier Roger Cook announced $148.4 million for groundbreaking projects to be funded by his Government’s Investment Attraction Fund, administered by the WA Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.
UWA was allocated $2.7 million from the fund to develop the Springboard Medical Manufacturing Alliance, matched by funding from the founding alliance members: UWA; Alcolizer Technology; Adarsh Australia; Atamo Innovations; Metabolic Health Solutions; and VeinTech.
Professor Pfleger said another nine businesses had now joined the Springboard Alliance, increasing the breadth of companies participating in the initiative: ArthroLase; Bridgewest Perth Pharma (parent company of NovaCina and LumaCina); Epichem; Glide; Marine Biomedical; Neurotologix; Pretect Devices; Proteomics International; and SynGenis.
“The alliance members aim to collaborate on a number of activities, including facilitating the sharing of best practice and activation of biomedical innovation and manufacturing facilities and precincts,” he said.
“They will also develop training opportunities including internships, and work with stakeholders to optimise the medical manufacturing supply and value chains, including access to international markets.”
Minister for Emergency Services; Innovation and the Digital Economy; Science; and Medical Research; The Hon Stephen Dawson, attended the signing of the new memorandum of understanding at AusBiotech 2024 in Melbourne.