Bionic Eye Deal Boosts Local Industry

26 Jun 09

The Rudd government's $50.7 million bionic eye program could push Australian scientists and niche manufacturers to the front of the race to develop artificial sight for humans.

Australian scientists have been trailing their offshore peers in the contest to develop a commercially viable bionic eye for individuals with severe vision impairments. However, the Labor government's decision to put $50.7 million on the table to develop a bionic eye locally has enticed overseas groups to approach local bionic eye researchers with tentative offers to collaborate.

Tony Burkitt, head of Bionic Vision Australia (BVA), said the group currently considered to be the world leader in the area, California-based Second Sight, had contacted BVA exploring possible avenues for co-operation.

"A lot of people internationally have noticed (the funding program) and have been in touch with various members of our consortium and it's been widely discussed overseas. They're clearly taking notice of what's happening in Australia and we really welcome that," Professor Burkitt said.

"They're interested in knowing what sort of approach we're going to be taking with our R&D plans, whether there is any possibility for collaboration."

The Australian Research Council (ARC) released the funding rules for the program on June 2. Applicants have only been given a two-month window until July 29 within which to finalise their bids.

Professor Burkitt said the funding rules for the program contained a strong commercialisation focus.

BVA and its main competitor, the NSW University-backed Australian Bionic Eye Foundation (ABEF), are expected to lodge the most credible bids for the $50 million pie. However, the number of bidders could potentially be much higher as many other agencies are eligible to apply.

The government, which initially committed to providing the funding at the 20-20 Summit in April last year, has been under pressure to accelerate the grants process following repeated warnings from industry that Australia could fall too far behind in the race.

The ARC, which is co-ordinating the funding program, said it hoped to make a decision towards the end of the year.

Professor Burkitt said the delay was not ideal but any delays would be offset by the size of the support grant.

"Six months clearly means that there is going to be a slight delay, but I think that just increased funding that we're going to get as a result of this will give us a really strong boost to put us at the forefront of what's happening internationally," he said.

BVA is seeking to claim the entire pool of funds available, but ABEF has been lobbying for the sum to be divided for distribution in tranches.

Australia's local manufacturing industry is also set to beneft from the deal with companies having niche capability in micro manufacturing and impantable medical devices to be at the forefront of developing the bionic eye.

Click here to visit the Australian medical manufacturing directory.

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