Australia’s first hospital-based biomedical engineering research centre has been given the green light for construction by the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford, announced planning has been approved for the $206 million Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery (ACMD) to be built at St Vincent’s Hospital.
The new facility will support more than 300 jobs across the medical research sector and house specialised laboratories enhancing the capabilities of the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct in Parkville
Nine partner organisations will come together under the one roof – St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, St Vincent’s Institute, the Bionics Institute, Centre for Eye Research, University of Melbourne, RMIT, Swinburne University of Technology, Australian Catholic University and the University of Wollongong Australia.
The facility is currently operating on a small scale at St Vincent’s Fitzroy campus and when the ACMD opens in 2024, the research institute will be able to upscale device innovation and chronic disease research.
The ACMD will include 3D printing laboratories, a kinetics lab and rooms for sensitive hearing and vision technologies. It will also be home to engineering workshops to produce medical device prototypes and robotics for fast-tracked clinical trials.
A new education centre will accommodate a dedicated teaching facility for future clinicians, nurses, allied health professionals and biomedical researchers.
The Labor Government’s $60 million backing of the ACMD is part of record investment in Victoria’s innovation capabilities, cementing our state’s international reputation as a premier destination for investment, medical research and global talent.
Victoria’s medical research sector supports more than 30,000 jobs across institutes, universities and industry, with more than 40 per cent of Australian-based biotechnology and medical technology companies based in Melbourne.
As stated by Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford
“We’re bringing together the worlds brightest minds to take on tough healthcare challenges, all the while creating jobs and supporting new scientific breakthroughs.”
As stated by St Vincent’s Hospital CEO Angela Nolan
“We are excited to be entering this next important chapter for ACMD and are grateful for the incredible support our partners and the State and Federal governments have provided that has enabled this project to become a reality.”
As stated by ACMD CEO Dr Erol Harvey
“ACMD’s new and unique setting will break down barriers to bring the best and brightest minds, and a wide variety of skill sets, together, in a dedicated building, that is right in the heart of St Vincent’s Hospital, to solve some of the world’s toughest healthcare challenges – something that has never been done before.”
