Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

DevelopmentWA seeks interest in robotics and automation zone

DevelopmentWA is seeking Expression of Interest (EOI) from businesses looking to be involved or have access to the test beds and future facilities of an automation and robotics precinct being developed at a site 40 kilometres north of Perth. The 51 hectare site, which is adjacent to the Meridian Park industrial estate, will be used for testing, research and development, and training in autonomous, remote operations, and robotic systems and equipment. WA industry is a leader in autonomous systems for mining sites and for underwater oil and gas installations. EOI’s can be lodged here

AML3D and QPE complete 3D printed propeller

QPE Advanced Machining and additive manufacturing technology company AML3D have completed a machined stainless steel grade 316L, 3D printed propeller for a Japanese based 3D printing consultancy firm, 3DPC. 3DPC is a Japanese 3D printing consultancy who will make the propeller available to its marine clients as marine as a ‘showpiece’ for the technology. Advanced Machining is a division of STÄRKE Advanced Manufacturing Group, formerly known as Precise Advanced Manufacturing.

Archer reports progress in quantum chip development

Materials company Archer Materials has reported progress in its plans to build functioning quantum computing chips which store and retrieve information at a sub-atomic level. The company said it had built ‘a number’ of qubit control devices and successfully characterised the QC devices, an early step to achieving qubit control over an array of qubits. A qubit is the quantum mechanical analogue of a classical bit of information. Work is progressing at a number of facilities including a research facility based at the Sydney Nanoscience Hub at the University of Sydney.

Orthocell reports repair of nerves in 19 patients

Regenerative medicine company Orthocell has reported the repair of 35 nerves in 19 patients enrolled in trials of its CelGro collagen medical device which facilitates tissue repair and healing. Nerve specialist Dr Alex O’Beirne said CelGro has improved the success rate and efficiency of nerve transfer surgery to repair arm or hand function after traumatic injury. in the trial patients received one or more nerve repairs augmented by CelGro in upper limbs.

Bionomics licenses cancer drug to Carina Biotech

Biotechnology company Bionomics has licensed its Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T) which uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer to Carina Biotech. The exclusive agreement allows Carina to fund R&D to develop and market CAR-T, with Bionomics to receive up to $118 million plus a share of sales revenues should it be successful. CAR-T may be useful in treating solid tumours including colorectal, breast, pancreatic, ovarian, lung, liver and gastric cancers.

MCH Pharmaceuticals moves to trial cannabis cancer treatment

MGC Pharmaceuticals is planning clinical trials for a cannabinoid treatment for a type of cancer, glioblastoma. Early success in pre-clinical trials has focused new studies on cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) in the treatment of glioblastoma, an aggressive cancer.

Vaxxas efforts get $1.12 m shot in the arm for clinical studies

University of Sydney researchers have been awarded an $1.12 million grant through the Innovative Manufacturing CRC, supporting clinical research of a needle-free vaccine delivery method from Vaxxas. The research will be two upcoming independent clinical studies to evaluate the safety, feasibility, acceptability and usability for self-administration of Vaxxas’ technology using an inactive substance the same texture as a vaccine. Vaxxas’s delivery patch uses a one centimetre square array of biocompatible polymer, covered in “thousands of micro-projections,” coated in dry vaccines.

Picture: QPE ADVANCED MACHINING

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