Leading global medical technology company, Stryker, is partnering with RMIT University (RMIT), the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), University of Sydney, University of Melbourne and St Vincent’s Hospital in the development of a revolutionary treatment for bone cancers and tumours.

With a total value of more than $18 million in collaborative research effort catalysed by IMCRC, Stryker and its university research partners are combining 3D printing and robotic surgery to create tailored bone implants that deliver better patient outcomes.

Beyond its many technological advancements, the project includes consideration for how the treatment pathway translates effectively into a healthcare system in terms of its integration with patients, clinicians and funding models.
According to Senior Director of R&D, Digital, Robotics, and Enabling Technologies at Stryker, the IMCRC industry collaboration model has had a significant impact on their approach to R&D globally.

“Traditionally, our innovation relationships with universities have been on a contract research basis.Our engagements with Australian universities via the IMCRC have been a game changer.”

Aside from the state-of-the-art technologies we are developing here together, probably the largest revelation has been the collaborative spirit, with all parties working together as a close-knit, cohesive team towards our common goal.”

Robert Cohen*, President of Stryker’s Digital, Robotics, and Enabling Technologies organisation added “not only has this accelerated the innovation process beyond our expectations for the project, but it has made us re-think how we resource, conduct and manage innovation globally.”

IMCRC’s stewardship role has been invaluable to the project’s success.IMCRC is so much more than a research funding mechanism. They bring so much knowledge and experience to the table and, most importantly, they understand the inherent challenges of bringing industry and research collaborations together, and how to overcome them.”

Wood confirmed Stryker has made a significant investment to ensure that the IMCRC project’s legacy has even more broad and far-reaching consequences.

“Over the last five years we have come to an understanding of how fruitful Australia is for collaboration of this nature,” he said.

“A legacy of our experience with the IMCRC and our project partners will be the establishment of a dedicated Stryker R&D lab here in partnership with the Queensland government.

Our experience working with the IMCRC has changed how we approach innovation globally and was a key consideration in our decision to open a dedicated R&D facility in Australia.

Rob Wood
Senior Director of R&D for Stryker’s Digital, Robotics, and Enabling Technologies organisation