Hendon Semiconductors receives $606K grant to boost medical device manufacturing in South Australia

Hendon Semiconductors, a division of Legend Corporation, has received a significant grant from the South Australian Government’s Economic Recovery Fund. The $605,561 grant is part of the first round of the Economic Recovery Fund initiative, which is designed to help the Adelaide-based company expand its manufacturing capacity.

This financial support from the government will be matched by Hendon Semiconductors, bringing the total investment in this project to $1,227,522. The funds will be used to upgrade their facilities and equipment, focusing on the development and production of medical devices. This strategic upgrade will not only improve the company’s manufacturing capacity, but will also position South Australia as a key player in the medical device industry.

The upgraded facilities will include new cleanrooms and sterilization equipment, as well as improved semiconductor processing from wafer to COB (chip on board). These additions are expected to significantly increase Hendon’s ability to produce high-quality medical devices. The project aims to integrate advanced technologies with existing equipment to accelerate the development of new medical products.

The focus is on miniaturised and high frequency devices, with particular emphasis on implantable devices which require higher reliability requirements. These improvements will significantly shorten the development timeframe for new prototypes, mirroring the efficiency already achieved in the Hendon defence programmes where the lead time for prototype production has been reduced from 12 weeks to just 3 days.

The implications of this project extend beyond healthcare. South Australia is home to a vibrant medical device innovation sector, yet a lack of local infrastructure has often led to commercialisation overseas or licensing at a lower value. By establishing a robust local manufacturing facility, Hendon Semiconductors will enable commercialisation of innovations within the state, while retaining the economic benefits locally.

The initiative is expected to facilitate industry diversification, create valuable employment opportunities and increase the state’s export potential. It addresses existing challenges and places South Australia at the forefront of advanced medical device manufacturing.

More details about Hendon Semiconductors’ current capabilities and the expected technological advances from this project can be found at www.hendonsemiconductors.com.au.

For more information about the South Australian Government’s Economic Recovery Fund, visit https://www.treasury.sa.gov.au/Growing-South-Australia/economic-recovery-fund.