Australian Ingenuity to save lives and improve productivity
Greg Combet
posted Friday, 3 February 2012
New tests for cancer and lung disease and a telehealth platform for remote chronic disease management are among the inventions being funded by a Gillard Labor Government initiative.
More than $10 million has been awarded by Commercialisation Australia to 28 innovative businesses which have the potential to save lives, improve Australian lifestyles, and increase national productivity.
The Minister for Industry and Innovation, Greg Combet, said the Gillard Government was committed to backing Australian entrepreneurs, to improve efficiency and productivity.
“The Government has allocated $10.4 million to transform 28 leading-edge inventions into money-making products, services and processes,” Mr Combet said.
“This is an effective program, as getting inventions into the marketplace is the key to ensuring both industry and the community benefit from innovation.”
Potentially life saving inventions to be funded under the program include a new test for uterine cancer – the fourth most common cancer in women; new imaging technology to allow earlier diagnosis of lung diseases; and a convenient blood test device for detecting cancer markers and infectious diseases.
In two years, the Commercialisation Australia program has assisted 205 innovators with funding of $82.1 million.
The latest funding allocation also includes support for 11 information and communications technology (ICT) projects.
These include a new software suite that enables rapid game development and a new smartphone platform allowing café customers to avoid queues by ordering and paying in advance.