$566,000 Grant For Innovative Dental Product Inventor

The Australian Government has awarded an Accelerating Commercialisation Grant worth over $566,000 to HyGenie Australia Pty Ltd, an innovative small business dental product manufacturer and member of the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA).

The grant was awarded to support the commercialisation of a world-first innovative device that cleans, stores, and protects removable oral appliances such as dentures relied upon by millions in Australia and overseas.

“ADIA congratulates HyGenie Australia on being awarded this substantial grant from the Australian Government in recognition of the innovation and global export potential of this small business,” said Mr Troy Williams, ADIA Chief Executive Officer.

The grant is part of the Accelerating Commercialisation component of the Australian Government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme which is designed to help small-medium businesses, entrepreneurs, and researchers to access expert guidance and find the right solutions for novel products, processes, and services.

“Australia has a reputation for developing innovative products that deliver enhanced dental and oral healthcare and supporting this sector is a high priority for ADIA. It’s in this context that we couldn’t be more pleased that the Australian Government is backing this product to ensure that it’s available to patients across Australia and overseas,” Mr Williams said.

The device’s inventor, Dr Mark Wotherspoon, and the business' Managing Director, Steve Plakotaris, said the grant will support the advancement of consumer and clinical trials for the innovative device that will begin in September 2018. This will facilitate a national and, eventually, an international launch of the device in 2019.

“There is still a lot of work to do and no doubt some challenges lie ahead, however we have made a good start to becoming a worldwide brand,” Mr Plakotaris said.

ADIA will continue to support HyGenie Australia, and other local dental product manufacturers through policy advocacy efforts to cut the red-tape associated with dental product development, manufacturing and commercialisation. Support for export activities is also provided through ADIA’s pavilions at key international trade shows.

“ADIA’s commitment to supporting local dental product manufacturers is strong and it’s great when businesses such as Hygenie Australia are recognised for their innovation and receive assistance from the Australian Government to tackle international markets,” Mr Williams said.

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■ Hygenie Australia Product Graphic [.JPG]

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Media Contact —

Brittany Butterworth ADIA Communications Officer t: 1300 943 094.....e: media@adia.org.au