The Federal Government has committed AU$924,100 for research to develop cutting edge technology to help people regain eyesight, movement, and other nerve functions.
The Cortical Frontiers: Commercialising Brain Machine Interfaces project, headed by Professor Arthur Lowery, Professor of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering at Monash University, was originally developed to restore vision, but can be repurposed to provide stimulation of many neural functions.
Applications were assessed by an International Scientific Peer Review Panel to ensure… new to world ideas and opportunities
The project, in collaboration with doctors and patients, will help to identify the two most promising applications of the technology for development.
Monash University is partnering with Melbourne-based medical device company Anatomics, and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) for the project. CSIRO will contribute to metallisation, brazing and laser welding to allow interface with the precious metal components of the implanted device.
Two Stage Initiative
The two stage, AU$570 million Frontiers initiative is designed to allow researchers to push the boundaries to develop tomorrow’s health and medical breakthroughs.
In State One, 10 selected applicants receive funding of up to $1 million each over one year to develop detailed planning for their cutting-edge research projects. Each of the selected 10, like Cortical Frontiers, will be able to apply for Frontiers Stage Two, with the opportunity to secure up to $50 million or more to realise their ground-breaking research plan.
Frontiers originated under the Australian Government’s $1.3 billion National Health and Medical Industry Growth Plan, which was extended until 2027-28 in the 2019-20 Budget.
Applications were assessed by an International Scientific Peer Review Panel to ensure those recommended for funding would deliver new to world ideas and opportunities.
The investment has the potential to transform healthcare and stimulate growth in the Australian medical technologies, biomedical and pharmaceutical sector, a vital part of the innovation economy.
