Boost for WA's Health & Medical Life Sciences Sector

• Cook Government announces third round of Market Access Grant Scheme
• $100,000 to assist eligible WA companies to subsidise the cost of travel
• Twenty WA biomedical companies attending AusBiotech and AusBioInvest conferences in Melbourne

The Cook Government is inviting eligible Western Australian companies to apply for funding to boost their marketing profile and attend business conferences and events.

Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson said $100,000 was being made available through the latest round of the Market Access Grant Scheme (MAGS).

MAGS provides funding of up to $5,000 per business to subsidise the cost of travel to major industry conferences and business events.

Successful applicants are required to contribute at least 20 per cent of the total travel cost.

MAGS has awarded over $170,000 to 39 applicants from the WA life sciences sector to travel both nationally and internationally since the program began.

MAGS is a key enabler for industry to make important business connections and investment opportunities at events.

To promote the capability and competitiveness of local businesses, the Cook Government is leading a delegation of 20 local biomedical companies and organisations to the AusBiotech conference.

Companies and organisations attending include Lixa, iyarn and the Perron Institute.

In addition, BlinkLab and Neurotologix will also be presenting at the AusBioInvest conference, the precursor to the AusBiotech national conference.

In total, 40 representatives will travel to Melbourne representing the WA biomedical sector with Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson leading the delegation.

AusBiotech is a forum where Australian and international industry leaders discuss the latest research, technologies, challenges and market access strategies across biotech, medtech and agri-tech.

The conference sees over 1500 national and international delegates attend and is an opportunity to promote the WA health and medical life sciences sector to a global audience.

Local companies and organisations will also be showcased at a WA booth on the conference floor supported by the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation and representatives from the WA Department of Health.

AusBiotech runs from 30 October to 1 November. For more information on the WA delegation see: AusBioTech 2024: Company Directory (www.wa.gov.au)

The 2025 round of the MAGS is now open and will remain open until the available funds are expended.

For more information about the MAGS, please visit: https://www.wa.gov.au/service/business-support/industry-assistance-schemes/health-and-medical-life-sciences-industry-market-access-grant-scheme-2025

As stated by Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:

"Our local businesses and organisations continue to innovate with life-changing medical technologies that have the potential to improve the future health and wellbeing of Western Australians.

"The Cook Government is focused on how we can profile and showcase this talent to a national and international audience. The Market Access Grant Scheme is a stepping stone to make this happen and help these businesses open doors and build networks.

"This is why it's so important to continue to provide support for our local biomedical companies and organisations to attend events such as AusBiotech 2024.

"Being at these conferences builds on our reputation and continues to put WA's health and medical life sciences on display for the world."

WA AusBiotech Delegation