ThyX: Rethinking Daily Thyroid Medication
Bailey Thomas
After being diagnosed and treated for thyroid cancer, Aneta Nash was left grappling with the reality of her new normal, along with a prescription for daily levothyroxine - a medication that would become part of her life for years to come. Similar to millions of people around the world who rely on daily medication, Aneta carried the burden of strict rules around consumption, timing limitations, and a lifelong responsibility of medication. She wondered if there was another way to manage treatment that could fit into the complexities of life, without the overwhelm. Armed with research and her co-founder and husband, Luke Nash, they discovered that other options were out there. It was here the idea of a levothyroxine implant was born.
Victorian healthcare startup and MedTech Actuator Accelerator Australia Cohort 11 participant, ThyX, are on a mission to revolutionise existing levothyroxine treatment options with a tiny implant device, supporting thyroid function with a three-month supply of the daily medication.
Aneta and Luke combine lived patient experience, strong leadership and entrepreneurial expertise to drive ThyX forward. Aneta brings her own experience as a thyroid cancer survivor, alongside extensive leadership experience, and leads product strategy, IP, partnerships and patient research. Luke, a serial entrepreneur with experience building businesses, leads product development, commercial planning and operational execution. Together, they combine deep patient insight, entrepreneurial know-how and commercial expertise to challenge the status quo and turn a personal problem into a potential new solution for millions.
ThyX joined the Accelerator with a big vision, but a limited understanding of how to translate their concept into a viable biotechnology. Through the program, Aneta and Luke transformed their original three-year implant concept into a defined 90-day first product, creating a staged development pathway towards their longer-term vision. Along the way, they strengthened their IP position and product development strategy, progressed formulation work with Monash University’s Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, and used the program’s network to build out a robust commercial pathway to market. Alongside this work, the team conducted patient and clinician research across 17 countries, established a clinical collaboration with Professor Michael Mond, and won the People’s Choice Award at Monash Velos Pitch Night, securing AUD$2k in non-dilutive funding and building momentum around their innovation.
“They say it takes a village to raise a child. We learnt that it also takes a village to turn an implant from an idea into something real. MedTech Actuator connected us with the right people, gave us honest advice and helped us move much faster than we could have on our own.” - Aneta Nash, Co-founder ThyX
ThyX are honing their focus on refining their prototype and completing in-vitro testing, with hopes to secure a partnership for the insertion device within six months. Beyond that, the team are looking into the future, with hope to secure the funding that will support the next stage of development in order to bring their innovative thyroid treatment implant to those who need it most. You can read more about ThyX and their solution here.
“Our next step is building a wider team around the implant. We would particularly value connections with CDMOs, CROs, clinical and preclinical partners, and investors who understand the long road involved in bringing a drug-device combination product to market”
- Aneta Nash, Co-founder ThyX
Join us at the MedTech Actuator Accelerator Australia Demo Day on Wednesday October 14th, register here. MedTech Actuator Accelerator Australia is supported by Innovation Victoria.