Medical Manufacturing Vouchers Boost WA Capabilities and Jobs
The WA Medical Manufacturing Voucher Program launched in 2021 by the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub has delivered a major boost for medical products manufacturing in Western Australia. From 18 applications, five WA-based companies were awarded a total of $450,000 to accelerate innovation projects requiring advanced manufacturing capabilities.
Matched with cash co-contributions of $600,000, the initiative brought more than $1 million into WA’s medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector to drive job creation and economic growth.
The last of the projects wrapped up in June 2023, with positive outcomes for the companies involved, including:
- 15 new jobs created
- 2 new patent applications
- 1 preclinical study commenced
- Quality management systems progressed
- New equipment and facilities developed to improve manufacturing capabilities
The Hub’s Director Stakeholder Engagement Dr Tracey Wilkinson says that the outcomes from the project represent a significant step forward in building WA’s manufacturing capabilities.
“Medical manufacturing is a key national priority that the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub is dedicated to supporting here in WA,” said Dr Wilkinson.
“The five companies awarded the Vouchers have progressed their quality management systems, facilities, and capabilities, and all together the sector’s potential for sovereign medical manufacturing in the future.”
Details about the progress of the projects are outlined below.
Diagnostic imaging device for cancer surgery
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 by translating a surgeon’s sense of touch into a handheld diagnostic device.
OncoRes used the Voucher to fund key pre-production manufacturing activities in WA, advancing development of its novel diagnostic imaging system. With these essential financial resources, the company refined its clinical prototype, established standardised protocols, and gathered invaluable data to enhance manufacturing processes. These strides mark crucial milestones as OncoRes progresses toward commercialisation and the large-scale production of its innovative medical device.
The company was also able to conduct early-stage manufacturing processes in WA that might routinely be done in the US, building medical manufacturing skills and a foundation for future manufacturing activities in WA.
“We would like to express a heartfelt thank you to WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub for their invaluable support,” said OncoRes Medical’s CEO Dr Kath Giles.
“This generous manufacturing voucher has been a game-changer, enabling us to advance our mission to make a real impact in breast cancer care. We're truly grateful for their partnership and commitment to innovation,” said Dr Giles.
Proteomics International Pty Ltd
Next generation in vitro device to predict diabetic kidney disease
Proteomics International is recognised as a leader in the field of proteomics, developing and commercialising diagnostic tests for chronic diseases.
Proteomics used the funding to improve quality control capability of its PromarkerD test, which predicts chronic kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes, up to four years in advance. These are important steps of the manufacturing process and the commercial supply of the PromarkerD, allowing the company to reduce high costs and potential risks associated with the international shipment of reagents. Notably, the commercialisation of PromarkerD is also critical in helping accelerate the path to market for the company’s pipeline of diagnostic tests including PromarkerEndo (endometriosis) and PromarkerEso (oesophageal cancer).
“Proteomics International would like to thank again the organisers and committee for our selection in this competitive scheme. Your financial support and collaboration help progress research through to commercialisation, easier and faster,” said Proteomics’ Founder and Managing Director Dr Richard Lipscombe.
SynGenis Pty Ltd
Establishing certified oligonucleotide (DNA and RNA) manufacturing capabilities in WA
SynGenis manufactures high quality oligonucleotides (DNA and RNA) for the Australian and New Zealand market, and international customers. Oligonucleotides are molecules, oligomers, that have a wide range of applications in genetic testing, research, and forensics.
SynGenis’ Voucher was used to expand its existing oligonucleotide manufacturing capabilities in WA by improving the company’s quality management systems (QMS).
“The funding awarded enabled us to implement an electronic Quality Management System (QMS) from the beginning to avoid the problems and inefficiencies of a paper-based QMS. The reporting process for the Voucher Scheme was simple and effective,” said SynGenis’ Head of Quality & Regulatory Affairs Silvana Carnachan.
VeinTech Pty Ltd
VeinWave: improving first pass cannulation success
VeinTech aims to eliminate the guess work associated with cannulation, the most common invasive medical procedure. The company’s solution is the VeinWise, a handheld ultraportable device designed to assist with visualising veins and help clinicians find the right vein, first time, every time.
VeinTech’s funding focused on progressing its technology to a demonstration prototype to gain feedback for clinical usability, as well generate benchtop data. This was a critical milestone which helped them close a major seed private investment round in 2022, while attracting other state and federal grants.
“We were so fortunate to receive this support, to speed up our path to market but also to show what the MedTech industry in Western Australia can provide – not just in better health outcomes, but also diversification of the economy, training and job creation in a high-value industry,” said VeinTech’s Co-Founder Dr Nik Bappoo.
Developing precision healthcare biosensors
Committed to empowering obstetricians and midwives to deliver the greatest outcomes for their patients, WA company VitalTrace is developing a highly accurate biosensor to improve the safety of mothers and babies during childbirth.
The manufacturing voucher allowed VitalTrace to make the first steps towards developing in-house capabilities for the production and development of sensors. This meant that the internal team, with the newly set up laboratory, gained control over the development, increasing the pace, learning and improving the sensor quality with every batch. Notably, they went from having 100% of their sensors prototyped overseas to producing over 60% in-house in Perth. The team has also developed quality management systems (QMS).
“Through the Voucher, VitalTrace went deeper into the required quality management system. The training received and the increased understanding had the benefit of letting us refine our approach and timing towards the implementation of the system,” said VitalTrace’s Former Head of Manufacturing Ana Fonseca.
“This project was the spark that the team needed to get deep into in-house prototyping, which not only brought us closer to our business aims but also helped us attract many talented people who are still part of the company’s core,” said the company’s CEO and co-founder Dr Arjun Kaushik.