Out of ten impressive startups that made it through to the Origin Semi-final, MedTech Actuator is proud to announce three finalists moving forward to pitch at the MedTech Actuator Showcase.

After an intensive sprint, the cohort of emerging founders took to the virtual stage to pitch for their place in the 2021 MedTech Actuator Origin finals. At the Showcase next week, teams will pitch for their chance to win $15K prize money, fast-tracked application to MedTech Actuator – Asia Pacific’s MedTech accelerator – and in-kind support.

Meet this cohort’s finalists:

Vysum

Team members: Lorace (Tianshu) Zhang, David Lin, Isaac Ho

Vysum aims to develop a handheld device to make eye drop administration more convenient for glaucoma patients to improve treatment compliance and prevent blindness. 

Vysum originated from the year-long BioDesign Innovation subject at The University of Melbourne. Teams formed from the Melbourne Business School and the Department of Engineering explored 147 clinical needs in 4 areas including neonatal ICU, ophthalmology, mental health and chronic pain.

After surveying over 400 glaucoma patients and interviewing over 30 clinicians, the team identified problems within accuracy and compliance of treatment administration. Vysum’s eye drop device, Ocumate, makes treatment more accurate, convenient and enjoyable for glaucoma patients and clinicians, ultimately connecting patients and clinicians for improved care.

Aeolus by Spira Health

Team members: Joseph Po, Tony Pang, Jason Jin and Jake Harris

The team behind Aeolus discovered gaps in care for obstructive sleep apnoea whilst undertaking the Biodesign Sydney program. Obstructive sleep apnoea has an extensive impact on cardiovascular health and other health concerns.

Currently, sleep apnoea is treated with a one-size fits all approach that is designed for late-stage sufferers. There is a clear need for better therapeutic options in this area that can improve symptoms and health impacts and relieve the health burden obstructive sleep apnoea has across society.

Aeolus is a medical device that trains the muscles of the throat, empowering people with obstructive sleep apnoea to proactively improve their sleep and make the most out of every day.

Think Project

Team members: Anushi Rajapaksa, James Friend

Think Project emerged from research conducted by Dr Anushi Rajapaksa, a senior scientist based at The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. Many people around the world have a phobia of needles, just like Anushi.

Pain-free therapies and medication delivery via the lungs seemed like a no-brainer to Anushi. Over the past few years, Anushi has dedicated her work to discovering and developing new technologies that will enable liquid medications to be inhaled, rather than injected.

Anushi and team have developed a novel acoustic nebuliser for rapid lung delivery of life-saving biomolecules against infectious respiratory diseases in children.

The MedTech Actuator Origin final will take place on Thursday 9 December 2021 at the MedTech Actuator Showcase. A full recording will be made available to guests who were unable to attend in the week following the event.

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Photo: Dr Anushi Rajapaksa, MedTech Actuator Origin 2021 Finalist.