Vic biotechs win out in Technology Voucher program

Ten Victorian technology projects, including four from the health sector, have received a funding boost from the state government.

The Victorian ICT ministry has handed out technology development vouchers worth up to $50,000 as part of its $8 million Technology Voucher Program. Vouchers can be redeemed to secure access to facilities, services or expertise from over 200 approved suppliers and publicly funded research organisations.

Accel Diagnostics picked up a voucher for a project with MiniFAB (AUST) and Swinburne University of Technology to accelerate the development of a low-cost blood test for heart failure.

Fairmount Medical Products and SPLat Controls secured funding to help develop a device to maintain patient body core temperature during and post surgery.

Ferring Research Institute and AdAlta are researching potential treatments for Crohn’s disease, while Pride Mobility Products Australia and RMIT University won a voucher to develop a wheelchair mobility safety device.

“The Technology Development vouchers provide businesses with an opportunity to use cutting-edge technologies in their products and processes, to improve productivity and enhance their ability to compete in local and global markets,” Victorian Minister for Technology Gordon Rich-Phillips said.

The allocation comes days after the government started taking applications for a new round of Technology Implementation vouchers. These vouchers are awarded for projects involving implementing technology to improve companies’ products, processes, services and competitiveness.

The Victorian Government launched the $8 million Technology Voucher program in November last year. It forms part of the $150 million ‘Victoria’s Technology Plan for the Future’ policy.