NOYA Biomedical: Innovating Fertility Care with Microfluidics
Bailey Thomas
Around the world, one in six people are affected by infertility, and a growing number are turning to assisted reproductive technologies to help build their families. Despite increasing demand, treatment, success rates remain at approximately 30%, while patients and their families continue to face significant physical, emotional and financial burdens. Although many factors influence treatment outcomes, sperm preparation is a critical step in the assisted reproduction process and can play an important role in treatment success.
Victorian startup from Monash University, and MedTech Actuator Origin Australia 2026 winner, NOYA Biomedical, are on a mission to innovate existing sperm selection technologies with their device, Sperm Syringe - a simple, rapid microfluidic device that helps to select high-quality sperm and support improved fertility outcomes, giving hope to those patients who dream of having a baby.
Lead by co-founders Dr Farin Yazdan Parast (CEO) and Associate Professor Reza Nosrati (CTO), and supported by the Monash Institute of Medical Engineering (MIME) and Monash Engineering, NOYA Biomedical is built on a foundation of expertise in biomedical and reproductive engineering, as well as microfluidic device development, artificial intelligence in fertility, and extensive research across reproductive biology, advanced microscopy and technology in assisted reproduction. The team first joined MedTech Actuator’s Origin Australia program with a research-backed prototype and early industry interest, yet faced the challenge of turning the science into a commercial venture with a clear pathway to market.
Across two bootcamps within the program, NOYA Biomedical developed their understanding of their market opportunity and funding needs, and the role each of these crucial elements play in the commercialisation of medical technology. From mapping out the steps required to bring their device to customers, to refining how they presented their team, early testing and the future human IVF pathway, NOYA Biomedical built the confidence to pitch their solution and communicate the business opportunity with clarity and conviction.
With a strong commercial narrative, NOYA Biomedical took home the final prize at the MedTech Actuator Origin Australia Demo Day earlier this month, securing AU$10K non-dilutive funding and a paid trip to Osaka to compete in this year’s MedTech Actuator Global Pitch Showdown. They’ll be competing with seven other healthcare startups from around the world, and pitching live to an audience of investors, partners and leaders from the APAC healthcare ecosystem.
“Demo Day marked an important step in taking NOYA beyond the research setting and presenting it as a business with a clear path to market. Winning Origin Australia was encouraging recognition of the work behind the technology and an opportunity to build new relationships.” - Dr Farin Yazdan Parast, CEO of NOYA Biomedical.
Beyond the team’s upcoming trip to Japan, Farin and the team are focused on advancing the technology, particularly injection mold tooling and pilot production, while building strategic relationships with human fertility clinics, industry partners, manufacturers and investors. These connections will be critical to supporting clinical validation, scaling production and enabling future entry into the human fertility market. Follow along with the success of NOYA Biomedical here, or connect with us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on the next MedTech Actuator Origin Australia program for 2027.
MedTech Actuator Origin Australia is supported by Innovation Victoria.