November 24, 2015

Medical device innovations lead to another win for UOW

UOW is building on its reputation as a leader in medical device research and development.

For the second year running, a UOW-led project has won a major award following completion of the NSW Medical Device Commercialisation Training Program (MDCTP) 2015.

Dr Robert Gorkin was part of the 12-week intensive course commissioned by NSW Health to help their research become commercialised and reach the public domain, to the benefit of Australia’s economy and overall health.

Supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and backed by experts at UOW and Swinburne University, Dr Gorkin is leading the development of a next-generation condom made of new tough hydrogel materials, in order to improve feeling and increase regular use.

In addition, they provide a tissue-like sensation, redefining what safe sex should feel like. This new condom has the potential to increase condom usage, leading to better family planning and disease prevention.

Dr Robert Gorkin's international engagement scholarship from the NSW Government’s Medical Devices Fund will help with commercial development of emerging innovative technologies.

 The Hon Jillian Skinner, NSW Minister for Health, presented Dr Gorkin an international engagement scholarship woth $10,000 to aid exploration of foreign markets. The announcement occurred during the Medical Device Showcase at technology incubator ATP Innovations.

The MDCTP was set up following a review of the first round of the NSW Government’s Medical Devices Fund. It aims to address a gap between the skill base in the development of medical device research and the skills required to commercialise emerging innovative technologies.

The event highlighted the range of medical device research being conducted in NSW and demonstrated the progress towards commercialisation each researcher has made during the program.

UOW researchers Dr Sheridan Gho and Mr Michael Weaver, last year attended the inaugural Medical Device Commercialisation Training Program where they won a prestigious fellowship that enabled them to work with some of the world’s foremost medical innovation experts on a device to relieve the symptoms of breast cancer-related lymphoedema.

The ‘Lymph Sleeve’, made from intelligent fabric, gives hope to the one in three breast cancer patients who develop lymphoedema, a painful and incurable condition that causes swelling of the arm due to the build-up of lymphatic fluids.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Judy Raper said the success at the event in two consecutive years demonstrated that UOW was a leader in medical research excellence.

“Our researchers continue to demonstrate the type of innovation that creates a dynamic higher education-industry interface. This type of endeavour will not only drive the economy and jobs of the future, they will also be of direct benefit to the health and wellbeing of people all over the world.”

The Hon Jillian Skinner said: “The unique strength of this program is that it bridges the gap between talented researchers and the business world early, in order to bring treatment solutions to market fast.

“Programs like the MDCTP help Australia maintain our position as a leader in biotechnology. We must invest and support our workforce to be early adopters of innovation, to be innovators and entrepreneurs in solving real-world problems. This program plays a crucial role in all of that.”