$1.4 million awarded for biotechnology partnership

Media Release

14 March 2007

$1.4 million awarded for biotechnology partnerships

New funding of $1.4 million will help The University of Auckland’s Bioengineering Institute build commercial partnerships with the biotechnology sector.

The funding has come from the Growth and Innovation Pilot Initiatives scheme run by the Tertiary Education Commission. It will be used to commercialise technology for the likes of design, surgical planning, personal health and training and the computer gaming industry.

The Bioengineering Institute uses advances in engineering science to investigate biological functions. Much of its work is based on the mathematical and computer modelling of human organs.

Principal investigator Dr David Budgett says research such as computer modelling of the human musculo-skeletal system could have diverse commercial applications. A personal musculo-skeletal profile could be used to customise clothes, furniture, a surgical procedure or a health and fitness plan. The technology could also be used in computer gaming to develop lifelike characters.

The Institute has already achieved some commercial success since its establishment in 2001. In collaboration with the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, research into MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) has been licensed to German electrical engineering and electronics company Siemens AG for worldwide distribution.

The Auckland MRI Research Group, led by Associate Professor Brett Cowan and Associate Professor Alistair Young, developed software that quickly and accurately analyses cardiac MRI scans for use in clinical research trials and to assist in patient diagnosis.

Siemens will be using this technology in its own software, which is distributed worldwide for use with their MRI machines.

The grant will help the Institute identify and work with other local and international businesses to realise new commercial applications.

“It is an exciting time for bioengineering and this project will kick-start the translation of good science into business opportunities. It’s all about getting the right partners,” says Dr Budgett.

The project aims to foster the growing entrepreneurial culture within the Institute and The University of Auckland. Auckland UniServices will play a central role in establishing and operating any new commercial relationships.

The funding, awarded in February, will underpin the Institute’s Developing an Innovation Pathway for Bioengineering project, aimed at promoting commercially relevant research to industry.

ENDS

© Scoop Media