Australia to invest $13.42m in healthtech R&D

The fund will be used for the discovery of better treatments of eight chronic diseases.

The Australian government is investing US$13.42m (AU$18.8m) to boost research and development (R&D) of better treatments for cancer, epilepsy, stroke, paralysis, irritable bowel syndrome, brain injuries, back pain and chronic middle ear disease, a media release confirmed.

The fund came as round three of the government’s US$32.12m (AU$45m) BioMedTech Horizons (BMTH) programme. Successful applicants will use the funding to develop medical devices–including wearable devices–telehealth and telemedicine, and digitally-enabled personalised medicine.

It will be handed to 21 projects working on developing medical devices, including wearable devices, telehealth and telemedicine, and digitally-enabled personalised medicine.

Amongst others, Victoria-based Seer will receive US$0.71m (AU$1m) to develop a real-time seizure forecasting system, through mobile and wearable monitoring, to empower people with epilepsy to regain control of their condition.

Other projects include a 3D bioprinting system for regenerating skin and developing a smart brain biopsy needle for faster, safer neurosurgery.

The BMTH program is funded through the government’s US$14.28b (AU$20b) Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), whilst the industry is backing these projects by matching contributions of US$15.2m (AU$21.3m).