WA Govt signs MOU to create biomedical hub in Perth

The Western Australian Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with The University of Western Australia (UWA) and CSIRO to develop the latter’s 10 ha site in Floreat, Perth, into a biomedical industry hub.

The MOU is a key step in the government’s plan to create a larger biomedical innovation and industry precinct to facilitate stronger research facilities to grow WA’s advanced biomedical manufacturing, with Premier Roger Cook recently announcing the need for such a precinct in Perth. The Floreat site was found to have the proximity and potential to complement existing biomedical sciences facilities and research institutes, enabling the planned biomedical precinct to incorporate the UWA and Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre (QEII) sites in Nedlands.

The MOU paves the way for the transformation of the Floreat site to link industry, academia, training and research to foster future growth and sustainability, unlocking the potential and exciting opportunities that WA’s biomedical industry has to offer. It also aligns with the state’s Advanced Manufacturing Prospectus that identifies medical manufacturing as a growing strength.

“Building our local health and life sciences industry is a key priority for the Cook government to make Western Australia an international hub for medical research and health innovation,” said Minister for Medical Research and Innovation and the Digital Economy Stephen Dawson.

“We have a vision of transforming the CSIRO’s Floreat site into a biomedical industry hub, as part of a wider Perth precinct that is geared up to unlock further opportunities for the growth of this exciting local industry.

“Thank you to UWA and CSIRO for their collaboration and support to activate this historic site and give it a new lease of life, such as developing medical breakthroughs or manufacturing revolutionary medical equipment.

“This MOU is the first step towards the transformation of the Floreat site, and further positioning WA as a global hub for high-quality training and medical research that will attract talented researchers to our state.”

The CEO of UWA spinout Orthocell, Alex McHenry, said the new space could provide opportunities for startups and small businesses to grow and develop in WA rather than moving east. For example, the CEO of fellow spinout OncoRes Medical, Dr Katharine Giles, said the site could allow for greater manufacturing of technology such as her firm’s medical imaging techniques to combat cancer.

“A biomedical precinct will enable companies like ours to collaborate even more and establish firmer foundations to innovate, develop and manufacture our devices and export to the world from Western Australia,” she said.

The MOU between the government, CSIRO and UWA will see the agencies plan what areas need refurbishment, how many companies can move in, and what extra facilities and equipment would be needed. UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma said the hub aims to attract world-class researchers, linking industry with academics and research innovation.

“We actually have the elements of what it takes to translate knowledge from laboratory side to practical side,” Chakma said.

“We just need to do it bigger and better, and this partnership opens the door for us to take the next step.”

Image caption: CSIRO Director Dr Rob Hough, Minister Stephen Dawson, UWA Vice-Chancellor Amit Chakma, OncoRes Medical CEO Dr Katharine Giles and Orthocell CEO Alex McHenry.