Cicada HealthTech Hub launches in Western Sydney to grow “future skills pipeline”

Australia’s flagship deep tech incubator Cicada Innovations has launched a HealthTech Hub in Western Sydney’s “hidden innovation ecosystem”, the Westmead Health and Innovation District.

Launched last week, the Cicada HealthTech Hub is now open to pre-revenue stage startups, spinouts, research projects, and more established businesses looking for a landing pad in areas of medical technology and devices such as cell and gene therapy, cancer research, infectious diseases, immunology, and vaccines.

The new flexible workspace touts benefits such as affordability, dedicated facilities, critical connections and curated support services, all aimed at facilitating the rapid commercialisation of life-changing research with real patient outcomes.

The Hub is also located in a district containing four major hospitals, four world-leading medical research institutions, two university campuses and the largest research-intensive pathology service in NSW.

Australia’s first commercial-scale viral vector manufacturing facility is also currently being built in the precinct.

Western Sydney more broadly also offers a rapidly-growing diverse population of 2.5 million people and over 1000 clinical trials including some of Australia’s biggest.

“Western Sydney may not be the first location that springs to mind when we think ‘innovation’. But when you look at the groundbreaking work coming from the precinct, it really could be considered one of Australia’s most exciting hidden innovation gems,” said Sally-Ann Williams, CEO of Cicada Innovations.

The first resident on-site at the HealthTech Hub is iiSheild, a healthtech startup whose groundbreaking “kidney pyjamas” (Ischemic Injury Protective Jacket) aim to double the available time for kidney transplants by minimising the heat of the kidney during procedures.

iiShield originated in Westmead and then moved into Cicada Innovations’ Eveleigh site as it completed the Cicada-run NSW Health Commercialisation Training Program. After that, it moved back to Westmead to be closer to the precinct, progress clinical trials, and raise its next round of capital.

“Companies like iiShield, originating in Westmead, offer a perfect case study of the journey Australia’s most critical medtech companies take from research lab to commercialisation to the homes and industries where they will positively impact the largest number of people,” said Williams.

The HealthTech Hub’s opening day was officiated by Anoulack Chanthivong, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, who said: “The HealthTech Hub will play a vital role in driving biotech, medtech and pharmaceutical industry development in NSW by bringing our world-class health researchers and entrepreneurs together.”

“It will support early-stage startups to build capability, fast-tracking commercialisation and helping to grow our state’s future skills pipeline.”

“The Hub is a great example of how the NSW Government is working with organisations like Cicada to build a collaborative, inclusive and more supportive innovation ecosystem.”

Cicada Innovations is urging all aspiring medtech founders and innovators to explore residency opportunities by leaving their details as an expression of interest here.

This article was first published by Women’s Agenda.