WA health tech stars showcased at December Open day

Western Australia’s medical technology landscape took centre stage at the final Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Open Day for 2024, highlighting the state’s cutting-edge health innovation potential.

The event, held at the University of Notre Dame in Fremantle and as part of the West Tech Fest, brought together more than 200 researchers, innovators and healthcare professionals under the theme ‘health technology for the future,’.

The December Open Day was co-hosted by the WA Department of Health’s Office of Medical Research and Innovation (OMRI) and the University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle Campus.

Event highlights: 

• The event commenced with a heartfelt welcome to country by Whadjuk and Ballardong traditional Owner and Elder Kerry-Ann Winmar, emphasising respect for Indigenous culture and knowledge.
• The Minister for Medical Research, Hon Stephen Dawson MLC announced the appointment of Professor Angus Turner as the newest member of the FHRI Fund Advisory Council and gave an update on the status of the new biomedical precinct at QEII.
• Keynote speaker Bronwyn Le Grice, CEO and managing director of ANDHealth, explored emerging trends in health and medical technology – including AI, wearables, and telehealth –and highlighted the potential for WA’s unique challenges, like it’s remoteness, to be leveraged for research and innovation.
• Challenge winners, Lions Outback Vision team members Dr Qiang Li and Dr Jocelyn Drinkwater, presented their $5 million winning project: AI-powered retinal scanners for diabetes related vision loss.
• Biotome co-founder and director, Dr Alma Fulurija, introduced the company’s innovative next generation antibody test aimed at early detection of stomach cancer.
• The Kids Research Institute Spritz-OM project, which aims to create a nasal spray to prevent childhood ear infections, was used as an example by project lead A/Professor Lea-Ann Kirkham, and health consumer team member Kate McGee, of how consumer and community involvement can shape research priorities, design and methodology based on consumer experience, knowledge and needs.

Commercialisation panel discussion
In a first for FHRI Fund open days, a panel chaired by Bronwyn Le Grice and featuring Tracey Wilkinson from the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub (WALSIH), Intan Oldakowska from Earflo and Kate Lewkowski from Neurotologix, offered advice and potential solutions to commercialisation challenges faced by WA startups.

WA developments
Executive Director, Research and Innovation at OMRI, Dr Stacey Waters, concluded formalities by launching 9 new grant funding programs, acknowledging recent FHRI Fund grant recipients and highlighting key initiatives including

• the Murray Street Innovation Hub development
• the planned health and biomedical precinct at the QEII site
• the WA Venture Capital initiative
• the new WA health and medical research website

The open day celebrated WA’s vibrant health innovation ecosystem, set the stage for future advancements in medical technology and wrapped up with the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub medtech showcase where attendees engaged with representatives from innovative companies like Biotome, Earflo, Springboard Manufacturing Alliance and Oqea.

The following programs were launched and are available on the FHRI Fund Current Funding opportunities page:

• Co-Funding Partnership Program
• Major Research and Innovation Application Support (MRIAS) Program
• Clinician Researcher Training Program
• Innovation Fellowships 2024-25
• Innovative Solutions – Precision Health
• NCRIS Partner Program 2024-25
• FHRI Fund Enabling Scheme 2024-25
• WA Cohort Studies Operational Support 2024-25 Program
• Research Infrastructure Support 

To watch the full video click here.

00:00:00 MC address Professor Gerard Hoyne, and Dr Dale Edgar
00:01:54 Welcome to country Kerry-Ann Winmar
00:11:07 Minister for Medical Research the Hon Stephen Dawson MLC
00:18:05 Notre Dame research update
00:26:53 Keynote speaker, ANDHealth CEO and managing director Bronwyn Le Grice
00:54:50 Lions Outback Vision Dr Qiang Li and Dr Jocelyn Drinkwater
01:08:04 Biotome presentation Dr Alma Fulurija
01:18:49 Panel Discussion: Accelerating Health Tech Commercialisation 
01:41:55 SpritzOM A/Prof Lea-Ann Kirkham and health consumer Kate McGee
02:02:43 Recipient announcement: Dr Stacey Waters 
02:20:15 Program announcement: Dr Stacey Waters 
02:32:19 Closing remarks