Qantas Magazine feature on Neo-Bionica
Bionics Institute CEO Robert Klupacs was interviewed by Jane Nicholls for the September issue of Qantas Magazine on the founding of Neo-Bionica.
The article, in the Innovation section of the magazine (pg 156), details how Neo-Bionica was founded out of ‘frustration that medical device innovation was stalling in Australia’ because the development of medical device prototypes previously had to be done offshore.
The article goes on to report that Klupacs made the case that building the capability to make and test medical devices for in-human trials onshore would shave off millions of dollars and years of time.
He says the capacity to make complex devices in Australia is a game-changer and is hopeful Neo-Bionica will attract a “reverse brain drain” of bioengineers, scientists and researchers.
“Neurotechnology is our sweet spot. We’re primarily working on implantable medical devices that stimulate or record the central nervous system or the peripheral nervous system. We’re known for that – we have four United States customers and others from around the world approaching us.”
Neo-Bionica is a joint initiative of the Bionics Institute and the University of Melbourne located on the St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne campus.
