Category: Future of MedTech

Game Changer, Closer to the Artifice Pancreas

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As a disease, diabetes costs the national economy an estimated $14.6 billion annually. Fortunately, Australia is also home to some of the most advanced diabetes technology in the world.

  • Here’s the gist: Research shows that insulin pump therapy can reduce the frequency of severe hypoglycemia as well as improve quality of life. For the first time in Australia, a device has been brought to market which automatically adjusts the delivery of insulin to people living with type 1 diabetes.
  • An artificial pancreas, you say? Called the Medtronic MiniMed, the hybrid closed loop insulin pump system imitates the hard work of a healthy pancreas – monitoring glucose levels and sending data to the pump. Calculating the amount of insulin needed and automatically delivering it, the technology allows the patient to be more present in their daily lives.

Automating the management of blood glucose levels, the device embodies patient-centric innovation. According to Diabetes Australia, choice and access are two key pillars for supporting people living with diabetes and this device provides exactly that.

Requiring minimal input – its another amazing example of how technology can be utilised to take over the task of critical bodily functions.

With type 1 diabetes representing around 10 per cent of all cases, this new device is a game changer according to Professor David O’Neal who was one of the first Australian researchers to trial the device locally. Whilst the disease remains incurable, it’s evident that, in the meantime, innovation can lead patients closer to autonomy over their everyday life.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Apple announces Health Records feature coming to veterans

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“We have great admiration for veterans, and we’re proud to bring a solution like Health Records on iPhone to the veteran community,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “It’s truly an honor to contribute to the improved healthcare of America’s heroes.”
With Health Records on iPhone, veterans across the US will be able to see medical information from participating institutions — including the VA — organized into one view all in the Health app. Health records data includes allergies, conditions, immunizations, lab results, medications, procedures and vitals, and is displayed along with other information in the Health app like Apple Watch data. This means VA patients will get a single, integrated snapshot of their health profile whenever they want quickly and privately. All Health Records data is encrypted and protected with the user’s iPhone passcode, Touch ID or Face ID.
“When patients have better access to their health information, they have more productive conversations with their physicians,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s COO. “By bringing Health Records on iPhone to VA patients, we hope veterans will experience improved healthcare that will enhance their lives.”
“Our goal is to empower people to better understand and improve their health, enabling them to view their medical information from multiple providers in one place easily and securely,” said Kevin Lynch, Apple’s vice president of Technology. “We’re excited to bring this feature to veterans across the US.”
Health Records on iPhone will be the first record-sharing platform of its kind available to the VA, which is the largest medical system in the United States providing service to more than 9 million veterans across 1,243 facilities.

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Back To The Future Of MedTech

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  • Here’s the gist: Honda, in partnership with Ohio State University, will undertake clinical trials to evaluate an 8-week intervention with the device for improving mobility in patients. The device is designed for training, the Honda Walking Assist Device is made up of a hip frame, motors and thigh frame.

The Honda device helps to enable more efficient and symmetrical walking patterns for people who have gait deficits due to stroke.

  • Here’s what Honda had to say: “We have a large body of evidence which suggested that the Honda Walking Assist Device safely and effectively improves the mobility of individuals affected by stroke,” lead research engineer, Kenton Williams, said.

I bet you’re wondering how it all works, right? Well rather than reading how it works, click below to SEE how it work![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jyE_GzsXJM” title=”Honda Walking Assist Device – How it works (Animation)”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS AFib AWAY?

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“It’s a momentous achievement for a wearable device that can provide critical data for doctors and peace of mind for you” – those are Apple’s words.

  • So just how useful is it? Well, it seems Janssen Pharmaceuticals (a Johnson & Johnson member company) thinks Apple could be on to something. The company is collaborating with Apple on a research study to investigate whether a new heart health program using an app from Johnson & Johnson in combination with the Apple Watch’s irregular rhythm notifications and ECG app can accelerate the diagnosis and improve health outcomes for approx. 33 million worldwide living with atrial fibrillation (AFib).
  • What’s AFib? Atrial fibrillation is a type of abnormal rhythm of the heart that can lead to stroke and other potentially devastating complications. AFib impacts more than 400,000 Australians.

The multi-year research program will be launched later in 2019. This large-scale program will occur in the U.S. only, and will be designed as a pragmatic randomised controlled research study for individuals aged 65 years or older.

KEY INSIGHT: The study will measure the outcomes of a heart health engagement program with irregular rhythm notifications on Apple Watch; and Assessing the impact of a medication adherence program using an app from Johnson & Johnson.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

DIGITAL HEALTH BOOTCAMPS FIT FOR IDEAS

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]ANDHealth, Australia’s digital health business accelerator, has been awarded $250,000 to deliver intensive Digital Health Market Success Bootcamps for up to 40 Australian digital health companies.

MTPConnect CEO Dr Dan Grant says ANDHealth’s focus is on equipping digital health innovators with the skills needed to turn ideas into commercially successful products.

“Through ANDHealth’s intensive, five-day focused curriculum, representatives from digital health companies will take a deep dive into clinical evidence, regulation, business models, intellectual property, partnering, attracting investment and exploring new international markets,” Dr Grant says.

“These are the real-world skills that underpin successful companies, allowing them to build the capital they need to continue innovating, market their products to the world and employ more Australians.

“Extending ANDHealth’s program through our Project Fund Program recognises its significant successes and lays the ground work for it to continue.”

ANDHealth has been operating for two years, helping cohort digital health companies prepare for investment and international market entry. Since October 2017, ANDHealth+ cohorts have raised over $14 million, undertaken 9 new market launches, generated $2.4 million in revenue, created 63 new jobs, commenced 10 clinical trials and studies, secured 115 new customers, and served 12,857 patients.

Earlier this month, ANDHealth+ alumni DoseMe, which developed a real-time precision dosing software system, was acquired by US-based Tabula Rasa HealthCare for up to US$30 million. Founder Robert McLeay is staying with the company as Chief Scientific Officer and will remain based in Brisbane.

ANDHealth Managing Director Bronwyn Le Grice says the funding will boost the business acumen of digital health companies.

“ANDHealth is the only organisation in Australia focused specifically on supporting digital health companies prepare for investment and international market entry. With this renewed support from MTPConnect, we will be able to expand our impact across a greater number of companies, from earlier in their evolution,” she says.

“The funding will allow us to leverage our existing skills and programs and the capabilities of our members, partners and global networks to continue building a vibrant, evidence-based digital health industry in Australia.”

ANDHealth’s Digital Health White Paper produced with support from MTPConnect, shows how Australia can create a fully-fledged digital health industry.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

WORLD’S FIRST HEART DEVICE FOR BABIES APPROVED

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]An invention of medical device company Abbott, the pea-sized self-expanding device, called the Amplatzer Piccolo Occluder, now offers hope to premature infants and newborns who need corrective treatment, may be non-responsive to medical management or high-risk to undergo corrective surgery.

The device is inserted through a small incision in the leg and guided through vessels to the heart, where it is placed to seal the opening in the heart. The minimally invasive procedure to insert the device means many of the premature babies who are critically ill in the neonatal intensive care unit are able to be weaned from artificial respirator support soon after the procedure.

Born at 27 weeks, twin babies Irie and Judah Felkner of Columbus, Ohio, were both fighting for their lives in the neonatal intensive care unit when an echocardiogram revealed Irie had a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) – a potentially life-threatening opening between two blood vessels leading from the heart – that required immediate treatment.

Irie’s mother, Crissa Felkner said “The doctor thought Abbott’s Amplatzer Piccolo device was the best solution for Irie, and after learning more about the procedure we decided to move forward”.

“You have to live it to fully appreciate what that device did for our daughter. Three days after the procedure, she was making great progress and is now a normal toddler with no limitations. The Abbott device was truly lifesaving for our daughter,” Mrs Felkner said.

Vice President of Abbott’s structural heart business, Michael Dale, said “Piccolo is a critical advancement in the standard of care for the most vulnerable of premature babies who may not be able to undergo surgery to repair their hearts.”

“Our mission is to develop life-changing technology to help people live better lives through improved health. This approval is another important step toward achieving our mission for the patients and physicians we serve,” Mr Dale said.

Amplatzer Piccolo Occulder is not yet available for Australian consumers.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Aussies Called to MedTech Innovator Competition

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Australian start-ups are being encouraged to apply for the MedTech Innovator’s four-month Showcase and Accelerator competition, which will feature the healthcare industry’s best-in-class medical technologies from around the world, and the opportunity to be awarded up to $500,000 and in-kind prices during the competition.

In 2018, more than 730 companies applied to participate in the competition, which culminated with a plenary session at The MedTech Conference in Philadelphia, attended by over 3,000 leaders in the MedTech industry. From that, five finalists were selected to compete in the grand finale, in which a live audience voted for the competition winner.

MedTech Innovator CEO, Paul Grand, said the competition “fosters an industry-wide global network that provides immense value to participating start-ups and industry partners who share a mission to improve and extent patients’ lives.”

In 2019, there will be several rounds in which companies gain valuable exposure to industry executives and decision makers through online application reviews, in-person pitch sessions, mentoring, conference showcases, and live competitions. The top applicants, selected by leading MedTech companies, will be invited to present at one of MedTech Innovator’s regional pitch events across the US and international in spring 2019.

There is no application fee, and no equity required from participants – so apply now! [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

More Than $500 Million Research Boost To Improve Lives

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A total of 682 grants will be funded, totalling more than $526 million, through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

The funding announced today includes:

    • $61 million for cardiovascular disease research
    • $86 million for cancer research, including cancers where treatment options are limited and early detection is critical
    • $41 million for mental health research projects
    • $29 million for diabetes research
    • $28 million for obesity research
    • $25 million for research focused primarily on improving the health of Indigenous Australians

As the highest recipient of funding of any university or institute, Monash University will receive almost $76 million to support excellent medical research.

The funding includes over $5 million to a team lead by Professor Sophia Zoungas of Monash University for her important cardiovascular disease research.

Professor Zoungas and her team will lead a trial to understand whether statins prolong independent living and reduce cardiovascular events in older adults without established vascular disease or diabetes.

This impressive research project is only one of 682 projects that will continue the proud Australian tradition of ground-breaking discovery and translation into better health for all.

This funding will ensure sustained support for our internationally-competitive health and medical research sector.

Projects announced today support cutting edge ideas from researchers at all careers stages and included research on vaccine development and tackling antimicrobial resistance.

These grants will support our health and medical research workforce, providing greater opportunities for more life-changing medical breakthroughs.

Health and medical research is one of the four pillars of the Government’s Long-Term National Health Plan. Our Government is committed to strengthening health and medical research.

The 2018–19 Budget we provided a record total of $6 billion to Australia’s health and medical research sector, including $1.3 billion for a health and medical industry growth plan to drive a new era of better health care and fuel jobs and growth.

A full list of grant recipients is available on NHMRC’s website[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

$240 MILLION FOR RESEARCH INTO THE NEXT BIG MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGH

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Applications for the Frontier Health and Medical Research program have now opened, allowing researchers to push the boundaries to develop tomorrow’s health and medical breakthroughs.

The Frontiers program is filling a gap in the research sector by providing government funding for early innovative projects and ideas that traditionally would not have received funding at this stage.

The Australian-first program has a unique, two-stage structure and was developed in consultation with Australian and international leaders in health and medical research including Research Australia.

In stage one, up to ten selected applicants will receive funding of up to $1 million each over one year to develop detailed planning for their cutting-edge research projects.

In stage two, a number of research plans developed under stage one will be chosen to receive funding to develop their ideas into new technological advances or approaches to revolutionise healthcare.

Stage two grants could be $50 million or more depending on the project and can extend over five years.

This program will confirm Australia as a leading source of innovation and discovery and will help bring about the next big medical breakthrough.

Frontiers is an initiative under the $1.3 billion National Health and Medical Industry Growth Plan, announced in the 2018 Budget. This game changing program is funded by the Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

Minister Hunt said the investment has the potential to transform healthcare and stimulate growth in the Australian medical technologies, biomedical and pharmaceutical (MTP) sector, a vital part of the innovation economy.

“The Government is able to provide unprecedented levels of support to health and medical research because of our strong economic management,” Mr Hunt said.

The MRFF is an endowment fund, which will mature at $20 billion, providing a sustainable source of funding for vital medical research. It is the single largest boost in health and medical research funding in Australia’s history.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]