Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Federal Government invests in Whiskey Alpha watercraft company

The federal government has invested $7.35 million in watercraft builder the Whiskey Alpha Project’s development of its next-generation, high-performance watercraft. The investment will support the veteran-owned company’s naval design and manufacturing know-how, which utilises composite material technology and a novel ‘sea blade’ hull to enhance stability and reduce shock. The Government’s Defence Innovation Hub aims for the company’s technologies to replace existing Royal Australian Navy vessels such as Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIBs). In March @AuManufacturing revealed Whiskey Project’s Alpha85.

BusTech and Elphinstone deliver 100th locally-made bus for Tasmania

The joint venture between BusTech and Tasmanian engineering firm Elphinstone has delivered the 100th and final locally made bus for Tasmania completing a $45 million, three year production partnership. The 100 XDI buses (pictured), the first constructed in Tasmania, were built at Wynyard and represent the single largest investment by the state in public transport. The contract created 90 direct and indirect jobs, and featured significant Tasmanian content, with some Tasmanian SMEs now supplying into BusTech’s mainland bus manufacturing operations. The partners also delivered four locally-made hybrid buses for Cradle Mountain, and is now eyeing a next generation of zero-emission public transport vehicles for the state.

Proteomics gets certification, looks to offshore production

Perth biotechnology group Proteomics International Laboratories has received international ISO 13485 certification for its PromarkerD diabetic kidney disease diagnostics tests, prompting it to start looking for an overseas manufacturer of the product. The company said that with wider markets open for the immunoassay test kits, now manufactured under licence in Australia, the company has begun negotiations with northern hemisphere diagnostics manufacturers. Proteomics said the move was necessary to ‘meet anticipated worldwide demand for PromarkerD’. The kits also require specialist reagents.

Cronos grows sales of Australian-made cannabis products

Medicinal cannabis manufacturer Cronos Australia boosted revenues in the third quarter by 143 per cent to $1 million Sales of the company’s Australian-grown and manufactured Adaya cannabis oil range have increased 78 per cent month by month with the company planning to launch high-THC flower products. Revenues and patient numbers at its Cannadoc Clinic business increased through face to face and telehealth consultations in Australia and New Zealand. Cronos also launched its CBD performance brand, FCTR in Japan where they are manuactured and Hong Kong. CEO Rodney Cocks said a third consumer brand would be launched by the company.

Cellmid raises $4 million to progress hair loss product

Bio-technology developer Cellmid raised $4.5 million from investors in March, and during the March quarter improved sales of 12 per cent. The company, which is commercialising its Evolis anti-ageing hair care and hair loss products here and in Asia, told investors it was on track to profitability in FY2022 with revenue growth expected in ecommerce, new distribution channels in China and new products launched. Sales in Japan were up 19 per cent in the period and in January Cellmid received its first orders from China distributor Ourui Health Management.

MGC Pharma buys pharmaceutical clinical research company

Phytocannabinoid-based medicines manufacturer MGC Pharma has bought pharmaceutical clinical research company MediCaNL Inc which will design and run clinical drug trials aimed at securing approvals from international regulatory agencies. Two phase one and phase two clinical trials and one phase three clinical trial are planned for the company’s CannEpil, CogniCann and CimetrA products. MGC Pharma paid $6 million for the business which generated $1 million in revenues in 2020 from 11 existing clients.

More positive results for Veyonda in Covid-19 treatment

Sydney anti-cancer treatment company Noxopharm has reported positive interim data from a small group of 18 Covid-19 patients. The data suggests Veyonda, which the company has been commercialising as an anti-cancer drug, provides protection against severe inflammation associated with moderate to severe Covid-19 infections. Inflammation leading to septic shock is a major cause of death in severe cases of the disease. Analysis of the blood of patients involved in the trial revealed none of the biomarkers normally associated with severe disease.

Picture: BusTech

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