Sunshine Coast manufacturer Examin Holdings is set to take a world-leading position in the global virus detection market, with a brand new ‘One Minute COVID Test’ incubated on the Sunshine Coast, thanks to a Federal Government grant of $647,665.
The grant, delivered under the Australian Manufacturing Growth Centre Commercialisation Fund will support the manufacturing of this new diagnostic testing tool ready for use with COVID-19 and other detectable viruses.
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace welcomed the successful grant, congratulating director Colin Hickey on his company’s success.
“As we work to build our recovery from COVID-19, I believe new industries like healthcare and high-tech manufacturing will be the key to creating the jobs of the future and building the Sunshine Coast we all want to see. Examin Holdings are real pioneers, and their revolutionary new product is going to make a timely difference to communities the world over.”
“This is another example of the Morrison Government backing local manufacturing and innovation, and proof positive that the Sunshine Coast really is the best place to grow your business,” Mr Wallace said.
The Australian Manufacturing Growth Centre Commercialisation Fund is a $30 million investment to drive collaboration between industry and researchers in line with the Government’s modern manufacturing priorities. The Centre itself is one of six Industry Growth Centres launched by the Federal Government to drive innovation, productivity and competitiveness across manufacturing growth sectors.
Examin Holdings Director Colin Hickey said “This product provides a non-invasive, accurate, rapid and low-cost breath test for COVID-19 which will liberate the social and financial constraints affecting all countries. It began as a collaboration with the University of Utah as early as February 2020 with the goal of a simple breathalyser detection of the Zika Virus in third world countries where PCR or RAT kits are too impractical and too costly. With the global pandemic, this product has taken on a whole new dimension. As new variants and new diseases emerge, there will always be a role for real-time and effective virus detection.”
The test uses a quantum tunnelling chip developed by the University of Utah, supported by a unique virus identification and attraction method developed by the Examin Holdings team. Together, the two have produced a cost-effective and productive solution to the detection and reporting of airborne pathogens.
Mr Wallace said, “The Federal Government is committed to helping Australian manufacturing scale-up, become more competitive and resilient and in so doing, create skilled jobs for now and into the future. At the local level, this means backing Sunshine Coast manufacturers and innovators like Colin and Examin Holdings to enable them to expand their reach, workforce and capacity. I am eager to see what’s next for the Examin team.”
For more information about the product visit: https://www.amgc.org.au/members/examinholdingsptyltd/
For more information about other successful applicants visit: https://www.minister.industry.gov.au/ministers/taylor/media-releases/covid-breath-test-among-24-innovative-projects-backed-commercialise
Find out more about the Government’s landmark Modern Manufacturing Strategy here: https://www.industry.gov.au/data-and-publications/make-it-happen-the-australian-governments-modern-manufacturing-strategy/our-modern-manufacturing-strategy
