Manufacturing news briefs - stories you might have missed

Solar cells that can be printed onto flexible film have been made possible through a new CSIRO Printed Photovoltaics Facility that uses roll-to-roll printing technology to produce high quality cells at large scale. The new $6.8 million pilot facility is being funded by CSIRO and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) via the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP). The Printed Photovoltaics Facility creates a space for scientists and industry to experiment with the technology, according to CSIRO, and will also help further grow the generation of renewable energy to help on the path to net zero, giving product designers a convenient, adaptable source of zero emissions power to work with.

Pancreatic cancer treatment device company OncoSil Medical has successfully completed a $7 million placement and announced a $1 million share purchase plan. The cash will be used for commercialisation activities in new and existing markets, and funds the completion of clinical trials and investment in its Macquarie Park, Sydney manufacturing facility. The OncoSil brachytherapy device is a component of a new brachytherapy treatment for locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer, the 12th most common cancer in men and the 11th most common in women. It is currently approved for sale in more than 30 countries including European Union, United Kingdom, Turkey and Israel, with initial commercial pancreatic cancer treatments using the device already undertaken in Spain, Italy and Israel.

Wound care technology developer Next Science has revealed the publication of a study showing zero per cent infection rate when using its XPERIENCE No Rinse Antimicrobial Solution (pictured). The study by Dr Ravi Bashyal of 1,295 patients found XPERIENCE to be efficacious in preventing periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in patients undergoing primary total knee (TKA) and hip (THA) arthroplasties (joint replacement). The solution is based on Next Science’s XBIO technology which reduces the impact of biofilm-based infections in human health. Next Science’s CEO and Managing Director I.V. Hall said: “The publication of this study… demonstrates the efficacy of XPERIENCE in reducing surgical site infections which remain an important factor in negative patient outcomes.”

Space systems and satellite manufacturer Fleet Space Technologies will deploy its AI-powered satellite mineral exploration technology, ExoSphere Discovery, in partnership with uranium miner IsoEnergy at their Larocque East Project in Canada. Exosphere identified targets in 2023 utilising AI enabled real-time 3D imaging which have now been drilled. Drilling confirmed an extension of a hydrothermal system consistent with potential uranium mineralisation, with a further summer deployment of ExoSphere identifying six new priority targets. ExoSphere Discovery represents the AI integration layer at the top of Fleet Space’s 3D imaging-at-depth technology.

Reusable compostable MyEcoBag’s new partnership with Ritchie’s IGA has elicited a positive response from the supermarket chain’s customers. MyEcoBag is made with GMO-free corn and other compostable materials, and are fast to compost, taking about 90 days to fully break down. After a successful trial, the bags are now available in 76 Ritchie’s IGA stores across Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. The initiative educates consumers on the environmental benefits of compostable bags, which require fewer resources and produce less greenhouse gas emissions than paper bags. The partnership between MyEcoBag and Ritchie’s IGA represents a significant step towards reducing plastic waste and carbon emissions. MyEcoBag accounts for 35 per cent of compostable bag sales in Australia.

EMVision Medical Devices has received valuable insights and guidance from the US Food and Drug Administration on its planned validation trial to support regulatory approval for its emu De Novo microwave brain scanner, the company said. A consultative meeting with the FDA was held as part a mechanism whereby industry may gain alignment with FDA prior to final regulatory submission. The meeting answered a number of critical questions relating to the company’s validation programme. emu is a device designed to provide early detection of stroke.

Rapid welding technology company K-TIG has successfully raised $500,000 through an offer of convertible notes to a sophisticated investor. The latest raising by the company in administration has a maturity date of 24 months. The company intends to apply the funds raised for working capital purposes, including salaries, ongoing professional services costs, and costs associated with assessing potential acquisition opportunities.

Pharmaceutical developer Amplia Therapeutics is undertaking a Placement and Entitlement Offer to raise up to $13.0 million, with the new shares representing 41.2 per cent of the current number of Amplia shares on issue. The funds will complete the trial of the company’s lead compound, narmafotinib, for use in pancreatic cancer, undertake a clinical trial in the US of narmafotinib in combination with FOLFIRINOX in pancreatic cancer, and for general expenses. Four directors are taking part in the placement.

3D printer manufacturer and production house Aurora Labs has received firm commitments to raise $2 million through a placement to new and existing shareholders. The funds will be used primarily to expand 3D print capacity for defence-related additive manufacturing and the construction of a micro gas turbine testing facility.

German industrial conglomerate Siemens has signed an agreement to acquire simulation and analysis software company Altair Engineering, valuing Altair at approximately $US 10 billion. In a statement this week, Siemens said Altair’s shareholders will receive $US 113 per share, with the offer price representing a 19 per cent premium on Altair’s unaffected closing price on October 21. Siemens said the acquisition will boost its leadership in industrial software. “The addition of Altair’s capabilities in simulation, high performance computing, data science, and artificial intelligence together with Siemens Xcelerator will create the world’s most complete AI-powered design and simulation portfolio,” said Roland Busch, President and CEO of Siemens AG. “It is a logical next step: we have been building our leadership in industrial software for the last 15 years, most recently, [democratising] the benefits of data and AI for entire industries.”

Industry Capability Network Victoria (ICN Victoria) has launched what it says is the largest ever edition of the Victorian Medtech Manufacturing Capability Directory. In a statement on Thursday, ICN Victoria said the beefed-up edition will help the state’s medtech manufacturers supply to local health buyers and support health infrastructure projects, and aims to solidify connections between buyers and suppliers. It features over 100 medtech manufacturers, according to ICN Victoria’s MedTech Industry Advisor Dr Craig Neylon, will be “transformational for Victorian manufacturers, many of which offer competitively-priced, best-in-class products yet struggle to access local procurement opportunities”. It can be accessed here.

Clinical-stage ophthalmology company PolyActiva presented new clinical data this month from a Phase 2 clinical trial for its novel glaucoma treatment technology, PA5108, at conferences in Chicago and Sydney. According to a statement from Brandon Capital this week, the trial “met its efficacy and safety endpoints, representing a significant step forward in the company’s vision to provide long-term, reliable drug delivery for glaucoma patients.” 17 participants were recruited to receive two PA5108 Ocular Implants, 21 weeks apart, and fifteen participants have now reached 48 weeks on study. The company’s proprietary implant “is designed to address the long-standing challenge of poor patient adherence with traditional eye drop therapy by ensuring accurate dosing over an extended period, potentially mitigating the risk of blindness associated with glaucoma progression.” PolyActiva is preparing for a phase 2b clinical trial of PA5108.

WA’s Springboard Medical Manufacturing alliance expands

The state’s emerging medical manufacturing sector has been boosted by the expansion of the Springboard Medical Manufacturing Alliance from six to 15 members, according to the group’s facilitator, the University of Western Australia. The alliance includes product designers and SMEs looking to prototype and manufacture their medical products in WA. Professor Kevin Pfleger, Director of Biomedical and Health Innovation at UWA, said in a statement that the goals were collaboration and training. UWA was allocated $2.7 million from the state’s Investment Attraction Fund in 2013 to establish the alliance, matched by funding from the founding alliance members: UWA; Alcolizer Technology; Adarsh Australia; Atamo Innovations; Metabolic Health Solutions; and VeinTech. The nine new businesses include ArthroLase; Bridgewest Perth Pharma (parent company of NovaCina and LumaCina); Epichem; Glide; Marine Biomedical; Neurotologix; Pretect Devices; Proteomics International; and SynGenis.