Stryker opens new Brisbane R&D lab

Michigan, US-based medtech company Stryker has officially opened a new R&D lab in Brisbane’s Herston Health Precinct.

The lab was announced in October last year, and follows a five-year, $18 million partnership between the Fortune 500 company and various Australian partners on additively manufactured just-in-time patient-specific bone tumour implants (pictured.)

“Stryker’s project with IMCRC demonstrated the importance of collaborative, open R&D and helped shape our current approach to innovation. We are delighted to take our next steps in Australia and support its future as a world leader in medtech with the opening of our R&D lab,” said Maurice Ben-Mayor, President of Stryker South Pacific, in a statement on Friday.

“With its world-class research institutions and highly skilled workforce, Australia has the capabilities Stryker needs to develop and produce the next generation of innovative medical technology.”

The 4.75-year project was supported by a $3,000,000 grant from the Innovative Manufacturing CRC, began in July 2017, and represented a total investment of $18 million. R&D partners were RMIT, UTS, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne University, and the University of Sydney.

“As a company at the forefront of medical technology, Stryker’s expanded presence in Australia will generate significant opportunities for researchers, universities and local industry, creating skilled jobs and pathways for collaboration,” added CEO and Managing Director of IMCRC, David Chuter.

Support for the newly-opened R&D centre at Herston has been provided by the Queensland government, University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology and the Metro North Hospital and Health Service.

Image credit: IMCRC