September 10, 2019

Wollongong expands biomedical ties with India

Indian medical device manufacturers engage with UOW for 3D bioprinting expertise

The University of Wollongong (NSW, Australia) has signed a strategic collaboration in Visakhapatnam (Vizag), India, bringing its expertise in 3D bioprinting techniques to India’s first integrated medical devices manufacturing zone.

AMTZ (Andhra Pradesh Medtech Zone) is India’s first integrated medical devices manufacturing zone being created to provide a one-stop solution covering common scientific, manufacturing and commercial facilities for medical device manufacturers and innovators.

Several research and training initiatives will be established under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed on Tuesday 10 September, 2019.

Among the collaborative research initiatives being pursued by AMTZ and UOW is a project to develop a scan and printing package to produce 3D printed ears. This will be coupled with innovative programs to support widespread deployment of the technology in India and Australia.

Joint training initiatives will primarily focus on 3D biofabrication.

TRICEP - UOWs Translational Research Initiative for Cellular Engineering and Printing - will provide critical input into both research and training initiatives.

TRICEP houses world-leading research infrastructure to develop innovative technologies in 3D bioprinting, including printer manufacturing, biomaterials, and bioinks.

The UOW team was led by Distinguished Professor Gordon Wallace, AO, who is Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science.

Distinguished Professor Wallace, who was named NSW Scientist of the Year in 2017, is an internationally renowned researcher in the field of electromaterials science, particularly for his innovative use of nanotechnology in conjunction with organic conductors to create new materials for energy conversion and storage, as well as medical bionics.

Among those taking part in the signing ceremony were University of Wollongong Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Wellings, CBE; Distinguished Professor Gordon Wallace; UOW’s Global Brand Ambassador, Adam Gilchrist, AM; and Dr Jitendar Sharma, Managing Director & CEO of Andhra Pradesh Medtech Zone (AMTZ) and Advisor (Health) to Government of Andhra Pradesh, India. Dr Sharma is known as the ‘Med Tech Man of India’ in policy forums.

Professor Wellings said the MOU would provide avenues for further collaboration in research, teaching and manufacturing between UOW and AMTZ.

“As a research-intensive university with internationally renowned expertise in this field, UOW is very proud to be part of this exciting new precinct that will put India on the global map of high end medical equipment production and make health care products more affordable and accessible in India but across the world,” Professor Wellings said.

Other members of the visiting delegation include representatives from Austrade and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.