Unlocking Access to Hemodialysis Through Portable, At-Home Care
Bailey Thomas
Dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment, yet for millions of patients around the world, it remains out of reach. Today's hemodialysis machines are large, expensive, and reliant on stable and high-quality water infrastructure, making them poorly suited for rural communities, developing nations, and regions prone to natural disasters. The result is a stark treatment gap that costs lives.
Physiologas is on a mission to change this. Founders Kaz Miyawaki (CEO) and Kenichi Kokubo (CTO) connected at Kitasato University and set out to unlock access to life-sustaining dialysis treatments with Physiologas’ at-home hemodialysis system. The innovative compact hemodialysis machine enables patients to safely and easily perform treatments at home, giving freedom and dignity back to patients while meeting their health needs. Crucially, it operates without the need for water supply, plumbing, or drainage installations, bridging the access gap between dialysis facilities and those without the means to access them.
Through MedTech Actuator Origin Japan (2023) and the J-StarX HealthTech Gateway Cohort 1 (2024–25), the team set out to explore the Australian medical ecosystem and assess the feasibility of market entry for their at-home hemodialysis system. Throughout the program, they connected with key opinion leaders in nephrology, as well as local physicians who validated their regional clinical workflow and the strong demand for an alternative to clinic-based dialysis treatment.
“We gained the necessary confidence and strategic direction to prioritise Australia as a key market for clinical validation. During the program we were introduced to several clinicians and commercialisation organisations, with one introduction leading to discussions with a hospital research group in Melbourne about potential collaboration, who we have since co-applied for an Australian grant with." - Kazuyoshi Miyawaki.
With a robust network across Australia, the team are now confidently advancing their product development in Melbourne alongside their local partners. They’ve expanded their global footprint and established a local subsidiary, Physiologas Technologies Australia Pty Ltd, and commenced preparations for clinical trials and regulatory approval in Australia.
“The most profound impact of the program was that it transformed our initial interest in the Australian market into concrete, actionable steps. The expansive network and strategic knowledge we acquired directly supported our decision to expand our physical footprint” - Kazuyoshi Miyawaki.This momentum is reflected in a string of major milestones. In September 2025, Physiologas won the MedTech Actuator Global Pitch Showdown, taking home ¥5 million in non-dilutive funding. They have since been selected for NEDO's Deep Tech Startup Support Program, unlocking a maximum grant of ¥500 million, won XTC JAPAN 2026, earning a place at the XTC World Congress in San Francisco, and in March 2026 raised over ¥332 million.
It has been a big three years since first entering the MedTech Actuator ecosystem. From workshops, to international immersions, to pitch competitions and to investor meetings, Physiologas have learned to communicate their impact potential with commercial clarity and unwavering confidence, and their results speak for themselves. What began as a Japanese-based medtech startup has evolved into a rapidly expanding global venture, united by a shared mission to reach millions of patients who lack access to life-saving dialysis treatment.
To follow Physiologas on their journey, visit their website or connect with them on LinkedIn.