New partnership accelerates Melbourne medtech innovation

Australian medical device company Signature Orthopaedics is partnering with leading Medtech researchers at the University of Melbourne and RMIT University.

The three-way partnership connects research excellence in the fields of biomedical engineering, health, medicine, technology development and design with one of Australia’s most innovative Medtech enterprises. 

Established in Sydney in 2009 by CEO Dr Declan Brazil, Signature Orthopaedics is the only manufacturer of implantable orthopaedic devices in Australia.  

Brazil said their focus would be collaborative R&D in specific areas of clinical and technological innovation.

“Together we will develop a clinical test bed for new materials, designs and methods in orthopaedic implants and devices, and connect our joint talent to amplify scientific and industry leadership across Australia’s growing Medtech sector. 

“This partnership’s goal is to bring to market new and personalised medical implant technologies that can improve health outcomes and quality of life,” said Brazil.  

The partnership strengthens Melbourne’s position as an emerging hub for Medtech research, teaching, and commercialisation, as well as RMIT and the University of Melbourne’s roles as major players in the sector. 

It also complements investments by the two universities and the Victorian Government, into Medtech training and skills development.

Other joint initiatives to date include the Victorian Medtech Skills and Devices Hub and state-of-the-art facilities at the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery.

Technical Director of RMIT’s Advanced Manufacturing Precinct, distinguished professor Milan Brandt, has a long history of collaboration with medical device manufacturers.

“This partnership not only brings the three organisations closer in terms of research opportunities in healthcare but also has the potential to generate new medical products and processes of significant benefit to patients locally and globally,” said Brandt. 

The first projects under this new three-way partnership will be announced in the coming months. 

Professor Peter Lee from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Melbourne said those projects would be exemplars for how university researchers and students can collaborate on research that directly impacts people’s lives.

“The advantages of working directly with implant manufacturers such as Signature Orthopaedics and with clinicians from hospitals at the early stages of the project are immense.