Personalised medical devices such as hips, spines and knees will be made in Victoria thanks to new support from the local Government to expand a world-class 3D medical manufacturing facility in Port Melbourne. The region’s Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy stated that the new investment will enable Melbourne-based 3D printing tech firm to transform its existing facility, supercharging Victoria’s advanced medical manufacturing sector and reducing wait times for Victorians needing implants.
Life-changing devices already produced by 3D printers at the Port Melbourne facility include the Serkel orthopaedic helmet that encourages symmetrical head growth in babies. Once complete, the 3D printing tech firm’s base will be one of the largest and most advanced 3D personalised medical manufacturing facilities of its kind in the world – and the only one in Australia.
The project will attract $27 million in private capital investment, create 91 new highly-skilled jobs for Victorians and provide opportunities to accelerate the commercialisation of new medical technologies. New research and development could lead to further advancements in areas including craniofacial (bones of the skull and face) modelling and implants, surgical tool manufacture and titanium 3D printing capability – expanding export opportunities.
The facility will allow the 3D printing tech firm to grow production of Victorian-developed COVID-19 testing solutions including 3D-printed nasopharyngeal and saliva swabs. The company has a contract with the Commonwealth Government to supply nasopharyngeal swab kits for the National Medical Stockpile. The tech company is also partnering with the University of Melbourne to establish a co-located Joint Research Training Centre onsite, which in turn will create further opportunities to develop a pipeline of new medical technologies.
The current Government is continuing to drive growth and deliver thousands of new jobs in Victoria’s medical technology manufacturing sector through the $2 billion Breakthrough Victoria Fund and the $20 million Australian MedTech Manufacturing Centre, set to be established in Melbourne.
The Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy stated that the 3D printing tech firm makes devices and products that change lives and this new support will allow the company to transform its operations, supercharge the MedTech sector and create exciting new jobs for Victorians. The government is backing its innovation ecosystem by enhancing capabilities in research and development, product development and commercialisation of new technologies.
The Founder and Managing Director of the 3D printing tech firm stated that the new investment supported by the Victorian Government coupled with the centre’s partnership with Melbourne University will take our advanced manufacturing and commercialisation capability to the next level.
There is a huge opportunity to commercialise innovations and create a thriving MedTech sector, which will improve patient outcomes and reduce cost pressures and waste across the Australian healthcare system, he added.
About the $2 billion Breakthrough Victoria Fund
The Breakthrough Victoria Fund will ensure Victoria continues to lead in research and innovation with a $2 billion investment over 10 years. The Fund will drive investment in research, innovation and commercialisation.
Key industry sectors will be:
- health and life‑sciences
- agri-food
- advanced manufacturing
- clean economy
- digital technologies
About the MedTech Manufacturing Centre
The Government announced that it will establish a $20 million Australian MedTech Manufacturing Centre in Melbourne – a new hub that will put Victoria at the forefront of medical technology, innovation and design. The hub will champion, develop and identify new opportunities for Victoria’s MedTech manufacturing and innovation sector.
