Trioda Wilingi gets $2.6 million investment to develop medical gels from native grasses

University of Queensland/Uniquest spinout company Trioda Wilingi will receive a $2.6 million investment from Uniseed and Bulugudu to create injectable medical gels from an Australian spinifex grass. Trioda Wilingi has exclusive rights to develop medical gels from spinifex, with potential use “including osteoarthritis, drug delivery and cosmetic treatments” and using a process developed with the…

Thales joins forces with RGM Maintenance

Defence contractor Thales Australia has partnered with Queensland SME, RGM Maintenance to help optimise and advance specialised heavy vehicle maintenance and regional access to services and maintenance of Land Materiel including armoured vehicles for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The new partnership with RGM will boost the specialised skills, experience and training necessary to optimise…

Austal delivers US Navy’s largest autonomous ship

Perth shipbuilder Austal has delivered Expeditionary Fast Transport USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13, pictured) to the United States Navy – the largest surface ship in the fleet with autonomous capability. Building upon the highly automated hull, mechanical and electrical systems already installed on the Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport ships, designed by Austal Australia, the Austal USA…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

QinetiQ creates new “Australian Sector” operation UK-headquartered defence business QinetiQ Group has announced the formation of a new Australia Sector, with Gary Stewart as the Sector’s Chief Executive, effective May 1. Stewart joins from Rheinmetall Defence Australia where he was the Managing Director, responsible for strategy and operational delivery in the Asia Pacific region. The…

Kongsberg contracts construction of missile facility

Kongsberg Defence Australia has signed a contract with Tandem Building Group to construct their new purpose-built facility, located in Mawson Lakes South Australia. The company is involved in numerous Australian defence programmes, including the supply of the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile to replace the Harpoon missile on both of the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac Class…

ABGF fund backs Derwent Industries with $15 million investment

Special purpose investment fund Australian Business Growth Fund (AGBF) will invest $15 million into family owned metal manufacturer Derwent Industries Group bringing its total investments made into SME businesses to more than $100 million. Derwent is an advanced metal manufacturer servicing critical infrastructure projects and key industries including water, mining, rail and defence, operating from…