Local health technology manufacturers looking to fast-track the development of their digital or connected products can now access a dedicated innovation centre, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Industry and Innovation Ben Carroll opened the $2.4 million Victorian Connected Health Innovation and Commercialisation Centre (CHICC) in Melbourne’s CBD.
Delivered by digital health commercialisation experts ANDHealth, the centre will support up to 500 people from Victorian companies per year and connect them with healthcare organisations, innovators and investors who can help develop their products from idea to being market ready.
The centre will offer skills training, an international expert in residence program, concierge services to connect businesses with investors and community networks to test digital health solutions. It will also offer an accelerator program, which received a $1.4 million funding last year from the Government’s startup agency LaunchVic.
Local digital health companies expected to benefit from the centre’s resources include Macuject and Atmo Biosciences.
Macuject’s clinical support software is being developed to help deliver more effective treatments for patients suffering from macular degeneration – the most common cause of preventable blindness, affecting four per cent of people over 50.
Atmo Biosciences’ ingestible Atmo Gas Capsule detects gases from known locations in the human gut and wirelessly transmits data to help medical professionals better diagnose functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Victoria is an international leader in the health technology sector – from mRNA through to digital innovation – and it is one of the fastest growing local industries, generating $2.5 billion in exports and supporting more than 30,000 jobs.
As stated by Minister for Industry and Innovation Ben Carroll
“Victoria invests in bold ideas that have the potential to change lives and this new centre will help bring our inventions to the world – creating local jobs and cementing our status as a global healthtech leader.”
As stated by ANDHealth CEO and Managing Director Bronwyn Le Grice
“Through this new centre, ANDHealth is proud to work with the government to propel the sector forward and deliver benefits to Victorians interacting with the healthcare system.”
As stated by Macuject CEO and founder Devinder Chauhan
“ANDHealth and the CHICC have already had a transformative impact on our business as we work to help eye care professionals overcome challenges associated with diagnosing and treating eye disorders.”
