Collaborative biomedical project launched with $12M in funding

Hamilton, ON – McMaster University is receiving funding of up to $11.96 million from the federal government to help create and operate the Fraunhofer Project Centre for Biomedical Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing (BEAM). The funding will also be used to upgrade a 20,000-square foot facility in the McMaster Innovation Park.

The BEAM project will bring together 35 partners in the life sciences, including university-based researchers at McMaster and the German-based Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI. It is also expected to create 74 full-time equivalent jobs, while supporting the development of 35 novel technologies for eye care, point-of-care medical devices and cancer treatments. Technologies will be developed in the areas of:

Ophthalmic Biomaterials (eye care) – The development of a new eye medication delivery system that will ensure proper dosage (currently medications are water soluble and during administration part of the medication is lost through tears).

Point of Care – The development of new testing devices that could be used at the doctor’s office or at home to detect the presence of E. coli and salmonella, as examples, and have rapid response times, much like home pregnancy tests.

Cell Therapy for use in Cancer Treatment – The development of new devices for use in hospitals that will allow cancer patients to use their own blood cells during treatment.

For this project, the Fraunhofer Institute will have staff located at the centre in Hamilton to assist companies with biotechnology products and process innovations.

For more information, visit the McMaster University BEAM website.