Question Time

Medical Technologies Program

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Kandelaars.

The Hon. R.I. Lucas interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (14:59): My question is to the Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation. Can the minister inform the chamber about how the government is supporting the development of medical technologies in South Australia?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:59): I am pleased to announce that the government has recently approved an additional $250,000 of funding to the successful Medical Technologies Program which will ensure it continues to operate right up until 2017. The Medical Technologies Program is a Manufacturing Works initiative which supports the early stage development of commercially viable medical and assistive devices through collaboration between industry, researchers, end users and government.

Flinders University, through the Medical Device Partnering Program, facilitates the delivery of the Medical Technologies Program, and this funding will ensure the university's program continues to be a driving force behind South Australia's medical technologies industry. The Medical Technologies Program will continue to support the development of early stage medical technologies that can deliver better health outcomes for consumers.

Since its inception, the program has received more than 75 project inquiries, 12 of which have received 250 hours of research and development assistance and more than $30,000 of further commercial assistance from Flinders University's Medical Device Partnering Program. I am advised that the additional funding will enable a further six medical device projects to be undertaken over the coming year, all of which will receive support to further develop an early stage commercial viable medical or assistive device.

The medical device sector is a key focus of the state government. It is contributing to the growth of a sustainable, high-value manufacturing industry that links research and development with modern production practices. This represents a significant opportunity for our state as we make the transition to an advanced manufacturing jurisdiction. The program is assisting companies to take their innovative projects to the next stage, with the latest projects to be accepted through the program being a heart rhythm mapping diagnostic tool and a device to assist manual bag valve mask ventilation.

The rhythm mapping tool being developed by Adelaide Research and Innovation Pty Ltd analyses electrical signals from the heart and creates a map for surgeons to use to guide treatment and improve outcomes for patients with atrial fibrillation, a leading cause of hospitalisations. The inventors of the system, from the Centre for Heart Rhythmic Disorders at the University of Adelaide and SAHMRI Heart Health, have created a tool that could significantly improve the success rate of cardiac ablation, a procedure used to correct the heart rhythm problems caused by atrial fibrillation. I understand that the funding will support extra research and development to enhance the effectiveness of the mapping software and to develop an advanced working prototype suitable for clinical trials.

Another project, the Kirmani Emergency Ventilator, was proposed by inventor and emergency department registrar Dr Bas Kirmani. Program support will enable the design and development of a proof of concept prototype which will enable efficient and effective single person operations of a bag valve mask emergency ventilator.

I am also pleased to inform the chamber that last week saw the announcement of another manufacturer of medical devices coming to South Australia. A $3 million loan was provided to Micro-X to manufacture ultra-lightweight medical X-rays, and they will be moving from Victoria and setting up their headquarters here in South Australia. I am advised there will be 12 new jobs in the first instance, but the company expects to grow rapidly and has indicated that as many as 70 jobs could be created in the first three years. These will be highly skilled advanced manufacturing jobs, the kind of jobs we need to continue to create to help make South Australia a strong and sustainable manufacturer into the future.

This is exceptionally exciting and the potential is great. Indeed, Micro-X managing director, Peter Rowland, has said that, 'This will be the first carbon nano-tube powered X-ray system in the world.' This is exceptional cutting-edge technology and the possibilities are enormous. Micro-X's decision to move to South Australia reflects the collaborative, innovative and supportive business climate that the South Australian government is building, one that supports emerging technology companies, and I am sure that those factors, as well as Micro-X's decision to relocate to South Australia, will help attract other medical device companies to our state.

In addition to the Medical Technologies Program, we have recently established the MedDev Alliance, with a $750,000 grant over three years to grow our medical devices industry, commercialise the research and products from the industry, and pursue overseas markets for these products. The development of a medical and assistive devices industry presents significant growth opportunities for the South Australian economy. It is important the government continues to support the development of early stage projects and provides links to and feedback from industry experts to facilitate the commercialisation of these and other devices.