Page 183 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

capabilities, support services, funding, innovations SAMRC-TIA Seed Fund
and other opportunities. It thus has the potential The SAMRC is an implementing partner for the
to showcase existing capabilities for medical Technology Innovation Agency’s national seed fund
device development and manufacture as well as programme. In addition, the SAMRC and TIA are co-
partnership, licensing and funding opportunities, funding a specific seed fund programme for medical
with the aim of facilitating innovation partnerships devices and diagnostics. The purpose of these seed
and increasing collaboration within the sector. funds is to assist in bridging financial requirements
While the platform was launched under the auspices that translate research outputs into fundable ideas
of MeDDIC, the development of the portal was for further development. The following highlights
funded by a grant from the BMGF to GHIA. were achieved during FY2024-25:

A provisional patent application was filed for
a system for performing diagnosis, prognosis,
monitoring and treatment of loss of cutaneous
sensation and neuropathy.
MeDDIC has provided support to SAHPRA
to develop a medical devices database from Human Capacity Development. Two students
medical device establishment license applications were conferred with a diploma in biotechnology
received as part of the implementation of the after working on one of the TIA Seed Fund projects
regulation of medical devices in the country. The as part of the requirement for completion of their
resulting database has assisted SAHPRA with studies. Three MSC students, one PhD candidate,
defining the total number of companies in the and one intern were trained during FY2024/25 on
medical devices supply chain (i.e. manufacturers, various scientific techniques under 2 different Seed
distributors, importers, exporters and wholesalers); Fund projects.
product classes and various product ranges of
medical devices/IVDs that are imported and or Fund raising. One SME raised a total of
R12,9 million from venture capital and angel
manufactured in the country; and identifying who investors. One SME won an Innovation Award
is responsible for placing the products in our to the value of R1.4 million. One of the projects
market and accountable for regulatory compliance undertaken by a science council additionally
to the authority. This work is now complete and a attracted a parliamentary grant for human capital
number of information gaps and opportunities for development valued at R1.2 million. An SME won a
improvement have been identified. The project grant valued at USD5,000 funded by Villgro Africa
has also assisted SAHPRA to identify the types under a programme that provided financial support
of medical devices circulating in the market, the to women-led healthcare start-ups in Africa.
groupings according to risk classification, and the
additional spares, accessories and research use Commercialisation. At least 2 products that were
only products. The information will further be used supported under the Technical Support Programme
to finalise the structure of the medical devices and and Seed Fund have entered the market, including
diagnostics registration fees. award of a 5-year supply contract with the Western
Cape Department of Health.

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