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Leading the world in developing novel implantable neurotechnologies
Through our successful bionic vision program, we have developed an advanced brain-machine interface with the potential to stimulate growth in Australian manufacturing of brain implant systems, and deliver improved health outcomes to patients with otherwise untreatable neurological conditions.
With support of MRFF Frontiers Stage 2 funding, we will create a commercial enterprise focused on providing sight to the blind and movement to paraplegics’ limbs, transforming healthcare for people with blindness and paralysis.
Beyond improving healthcare, commercial success will see the creation of new export opportunities, highly-skilled manufacturing and medical device design jobs, and economic growth for Australia.
Overview
In June 2019, Monash Vision Group (MVG) received Stage 1 funding from the Australian Government Department of Health's Medical Research Future Fund's Frontier Health and Medical Research program for a project entitled 'Cortical Frontiers – Commercialising Brain-Machine Interfaces'.
Stage 1 of the project involved conducting research directly with patients, clinicians and surgeons across Australia and internationally to explore unmet clinical needs and technology alignment. It also enabled further development of the medical device ecosystem required to deliver therapeutic opportunities in multiple clinical settings.
The Cortical Frontiers project has involved over 10 years of interdisciplinary research and development at Monash University across the faculties of Engineering and Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences drawing on the expertise of world-renowned leaders within the field of neurobionics.
Our vision is to harness this Australian-built and patented technology to create a new industrial ecosystem of neurotechnologies, positioning Australia at the forefront of the neural prosthesis revolution and fully maximising its commercial potential in a growing global market.
Stage 2 MRFF Funding will:
- Create and grow a successful neurotechnology business delivering bionic vision for the blind
- Adapt and extend the capabilities of the current technology towards the creation of a device capable of restoring arm movement for people paralysed by spinal cord injury
- Build a new manufacturing capacity and resilient supply chain capable of delivering a bionic vision system, centred on Monash Vision Group's implantable and wearable technologies
- Accelerate the growth of our translation-focused neurobionics research program at Monash University, including the formation of new industry-focused academic partnerships
- Develop new national capacity in clinical trials and long-term rehabilitation programs for recipients of implantable brain-machine and nervous system interfaces.
We are proud to be leading the world in developing novel implantable solutions for patients suffering neurological deficits and look forward to contributing further to advancements within this space.
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We acknowledge past funding through the Australian Research Council’s Research in Bionic Vision Science and Technology Initiative (SRI 1000006), NHMRC, ARC, MRFF and the Center of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function.
We would like to thank Marc and Eva Besen, and Alan and Elizabeth Finkel for their generous donations to further discovery research on neurobionics.