Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery
The ACMD
The ACMD is a collaborative biomedical engineering centre accelerating the translation and commercialisation of research. The facility has been designed and organised as a fully shared work environment enabling greater agility for collaborative research. Leading universities and research institutes practise together in such a dynamic and unique way ,aiming to enrich health outcomes for patients, clinicians and students
The ACMD is adjacent to the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct and other innovation precincts, specialised hospitals and centres of research, education and collaboration. The centre’s location within the St Vincent’s Hospital campus allows for clinician and patient engagement with medical device conception, design and evaluation, better integration with patient journeys across acute and chronic care settings and future opportunities for on-site clinical testing.
Completed in late 2025 and progressively opening for research from February 2026 onwards, the features within the superb 11-storey ACMD building include:
- Advanced 3D printing and prototyping laboratories
- Vertical greening
- A human kinetics laboratory and insulated rooms for sensory technology research and development
- A custom-designed clinical simulation laboratory, enabling lifelike clinical training scenarios
- Uniquely designed laboratories and supporting back-of-house facilities that cover a wide range of medical device testing needs
- A Halifax bi-directional X-ray machine
- A large auditorium and event space
- Showers, change area and bike storage
- A research lounge, for all ACMD partners to connect and unwind.
Unique learning environment
St Vincent's Clinical School
Building on the University of Melbourne’s 150-year partnership with St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, the Clinical School brings together students, clinicians and educators, creating a unique interdisciplinary, hospital-based learning environment where students can engage directly with MedTech research and development located within the ACMD.
Innovation
MedTech, BioTech and Digital Health
The research at ACMD will focus on MedTech such as small devices and wearables, bionics, implantables, prosthetics and artificial materials; BioTech such as regenerative medicine, biomaterials, targeted delivery systems; and Digital Health including analytics, precision medicine, AI and machine learning. Over 50 collaborative R&D projects will be based at ACMD.
The Axcelda, a cellular therapy to treat cartilage and joint injuries, is a MedTech project developed using thematic shared research laboratories changing the face of translational research. Other notable examples include Fluent, a brain-computer interface enabling translation of thought to text, and Epiminder, an implantable, continuous EEG monitoring device.
Sustainability
Green Labs
The ACMD model of shared laboratory facilities, equipment and services is proudly a more sustainable way of operating. The ACMD will also be pursuing formal certification through the internationally recognised My Green Lab scheme throughout 2026, improving efficiency and embedding green practices through strategic sustainability improvements.
The centre will procure consumables in bulk from the University’s specialist stores, minimising waste and packaging through sharing. The stores have also commenced a process of reviewing common products to swap for more verified, sustainable options.
Partnership
Unique, shared model
The research translation centre at ACMD is the result of a shared model between the University of Melbourne, Australian Catholic University, the Bionics Institute, RMIT University, Swinburne University, St Vincent’s Institute and St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. Clinicians, researchers, engineers and industry leaders collaborate freely and translate their research to help solve the most pressing healthcare challenges of our time, with each partner intent on the collaborative translation of biomedical engineering research.
Collaboration
Student experience
Students and clinicians can enjoy the facilities on offer at the ACMD in a collaborative setting. Spaces such as the atrium, café, lecture theatre and exhibition space bring vibrancy to the centre, with premium shared offices, lounge and meeting spaces allowing the shared model to thrive.
As one of the ACMD’s university partners, the University of Melbourne is proud to support this next chapter in health innovation.