Sydney’s leading role in the biomaterials sector
Sydney's Impact on the Global Biomaterials Sector
In March 2023, Sydney-based cultured meat company Vow unveiled a giant meatball made from sheep cells inserted with a singular mammoth gene. The meatball was cultivated using the DNA of an extinct woolly mammoth that lived 4000 years ago.
Meanwhile, Sydney biotech company Inventia is printing 3D cancer models using advanced biomaterials that simulate real tumour environments, allowing researchers to better understand how cancer behaves and responds to treatment. Its RASTRUM Platform for creating 3D cell models is groundbreaking.
These are just two of the many Sydney companies making great strides in the biomaterials space, working closely with the city’s universities and research institutes and attracting substantial government funding.
University of Sydney
Investment and collaboration: the keys to innovation
A simple way to define biomaterials is that they are natural or synthetic substances designed to interact with biological systems, often for medical purposes like repairing or replacing damaged tissues, organs or other bodily functions.
These materials must be biocompatible, meaning they can perform their desired function without causing harmful reactions in the body. They can be made from metals, ceramics, polymers or biological substances. They are often designed to mimic the natural properties of tissues or bones to promote healing and integration with the body. Biomaterials are also used across other industries, including food, agriculture and environmental engineering.
The NSW Government’s 20-Year R&D Roadmap identifies four technology themes that illustrate the state’s competitive advantages. Two of the four themes are Materials/Chemistry and Biotechnology, with biomaterials falling under both pillars. The state government has earmarked this area for substantial investment over the next 20 years.
In addition to government support, there is huge industry investment. Sydney is home to 55% of Australia’s medtech and biotech companies, including over 500 medtech companies. Many of these organisations work in biomaterials, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Sydney’s biomaterials research sector is thriving, with institutions like the University of Sydney (USYD), University of New South Wales (UNSW), University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Macquarie University (MU) and Western Sydney University (WSU) leading significant innovations.
Known for its collaborative and multidisciplinary approach, Sydney’s materials science, medicine, and engineering researchers are working together to create next-generation biomedical engineering biomaterials to revolutionise healthcare, the food industry, agriculture and textiles, among other sectors.
Associate Professor Khoon Lim is a biomedical engineer from the University of Sydney who has garnered global attention for his work in polymer chemistry and 3D bioprinting using hydrogels for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. His research focuses on creating biomaterials that mimic human tissue, providing innovative solutions for tissue regeneration and wound healing.
Lim says, “Sydney’s interdisciplinary research environment allows for the fusion of science and medicine, pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve in biomaterials.
“I work very closely with Professor Thomas Cox from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research on our cancer models to design biomaterials that the cancer cells will like,” he says. “They provide us with the cells and the design criteria to shape how we design our biomaterials.
“There are a lot of different innovation centres coming up in Sydney. UNSW has the Tyree Institute of Health Engineering, which has a focus on commercialisation. It’s important to have a commercialisation pathway and draw industry funding so you can bring your product all the way to the clinic.”
Lim is the co-director of USYD’s new Sydney Biomanufacturing Incubator along with Professor Steven Wise. They aim to leverage resources from all of Sydney’s research institutes and collectively work together to drive the field forward.
Lim envisions the collective partnership with Sydney's research institutes to be a key entity for industry, building genuine collaborations to create life-changing solutions.
Cutting-edge discoveries coming out of Sydney
Sydney’s strength lies in its ability to combine practical applications with fundamental research, resulting in innovations such as bioresorbable materials, advanced wound dressings and biodegradable polymers. These materials are transforming patient care and attracting international attention due to their potential to revolutionise regenerative medicine and surgical procedures.
The city is also home to a growing number of startups and established companies like Vow and Inventia, which are making significant strides in the biomaterials sector. These organisations are commercialising research into products that have the potential to impact healthcare, food, manufacturing and more.
Based in the Tech Central neighbourhood of Ultimo, Smart MCs creates custom materials and technologies to improve cell growth for medical treatments. They focus on making better tools that help scientists produce the right amount of cells more efficiently, which is important for therapies like stem cell treatments and cultured meat.
“Smart MCs is a startup from the University of Technology Sydney,” Lim says. “They’re looking at designing better materials and better platforms that can help improve the efficiency of the cell expansion and growth so that we can use them for patients.”
Startups like these benefit from Sydney’s collaborative ecosystem. Access to research facilities, clinical trials, and a network of healthcare professionals accelerates the development of new biomaterials. These collaborations foster an environment where commercial and academic entities collaborate to bring innovative products to market.
Professor Hala Zreiqat, from the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Engineering, is leading groundbreaking bioceramics research focusing on medical implant technology. Her team is developing bioceramic materials aimed at improving bone regeneration, particularly for ageing populations. These materials offer sustainable alternatives to metal implants, addressing common issues like implant failure and bacterial infections.
The research integrates nanotechnology to enhance bioceramics’ strength and durability, overcoming the brittleness typically associated with these materials. The development of anti-senescent bioceramic scaffolds is tailored to accelerate bone healing in older patients, enhancing recovery from injuries or surgeries.
Professor Zreiqat’s team also leverages AI-based predictive modelling to accelerate materials manufacturing. This AI integration improves production efficiency, reduces environmental impact and supports the creation of biocompatible implants that require fewer resources.
The team’s work aims to make bioceramics a safer, more sustainable alternative to metal implants, driving innovation in orthopaedics and beyond.
Sydney’s future in biomaterials
Sydney’s reputation as a global leader in biomaterials is set to grow even further in the coming years. Its world-class research, progressive companies and strong government support make it a city at the forefront of biomaterials innovation.
For international organisations looking to host conferences, workshops or events, Sydney offers a unique blend of scientific excellence, collaboration opportunities and cultural appeal.
Lim highlights the importance of location in drawing international interest: “Sydney's appeal as a conference destination is about the city itself. It's a place where science, innovation and culture converge, making it a perfect venue for global events in biomaterials.
“For research, I think we’re excellent. The academics are very well connected to multiple stakeholders and we have a unique research ecosystem where we do want people to come and contribute to more innovation.”
Read more about Sydney’s advances in science and engineering, technology and health and life sciences.
