448 - Funding for Health Tech in Dementia & Cognitive Decline

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch explore funding for health technology in the realm of dementia and cognitive decline. 

Pete is joined by Dr Kaele Stokes - Executive Director Services, Advocacy and Research at Dementia Australia; Dr Amanda Vrselja - Program Head of CUREator at Brandon Capital; and Kim Smyth - GM Investment at ANDHealth. 

In this episode they unpack the new CUREator+ program, which offers up to $50 million in funding to accelerate research translation and commercialisation in dementia care. They touch on the importance of this funding, the key challenges facing dementia care, and the innovative solutions that are being developed to address these issues.

Key Takeaways:

• Funding Opportunities: The CUREator+ program offers up to $50 million, with individual grants of up to $5 million, aimed at SMEs and researchers who can provide innovative solutions in areas such as digital health, therapeutics, diagnostics, assistive technology, or medical devices.
• Dementia's Impact: Over 421,000 Australians currently live with dementia, and this number is expected to double in the next 20-30 years. The far-reaching effects of dementia on patients, carers, and healthcare systems highlight the urgent need for innovative solutions.
• Comprehensive Care Needs: Effective dementia care requires a broad range of support, from early diagnosis and family communication to technologically advanced solutions that alleviate symptoms and improve patients' quality of life.
• Broad Research Focus: Dementia encompasses more than just memory loss; it affects various cognitive and physical abilities. Solutions should consider all aspects of the condition to be most effective.
• Innovative Potential: The program is open to all Australian SMEs or innovators willing to form companies, emphasising that groundbreaking ideas can come from diverse backgrounds and areas.

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