Brisbane MedTech businesses have won international recognition after securing top prizes at a shark-tank-style pitch challenge in San Francisco.
Two members of Brisbane Economic Development Agency’s (BEDA) MedTech Accelerator cohort – Field Orthopaedics and Max Kelsen – took out gold and bronze in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge at the Redefining Early Stage Investment Conference (RESI).
The challenge, run during JP Morgan Health Week, attracted more than 500 global investors.
Teneriffe-based company, Field Orthopaedics, secured the top prize for their surgical screws and nails for treating complex fractures.
Max Kelsen, headquartered in Spring Hill, claimed bronze with its machine-learning solutions.
Microbio, the creator of a rapid test for sepsis, also received a special mention prize.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said it was fantastic to see the impact of Brisbane-based companies.
“We’re seeing a new wave of innovation roll over the city, with local talent driving advances that could save lives, improve patient outcomes, and make healthcare faster and more convenient,” he said.
“The outstanding success of our local start-ups, in a competitive global market, is a testament to the quality of the research and development that’s happening here in Brisbane.
“Getting recognised as a leading innovation hub is important for the future of our local economy because it will attract more businesses, create more jobs and help Brisbane get even better.”
“Brisbane has a long and successful history driving world-class innovation with leaders like Professor Ian Frazer, founder of the Gardasil cancer vaccine, paving the way,” said Brisbane Economic Development Agency CEO Anthony Ryan.
“We hope these connections result in fresh investment, to help bring these amazing products onto the market sooner, while supporting jobs and better resources to grow this vital industry in Brisbane.”
Field Orthopaedics CEO Patryk Kania said support offered through BEDA’s MedTech Accelerator would help the company take the next steps in its commercialisation journey.
“We now have a framework for approaching capital raising and have benefited from exposure and mentorship from both international and local industry leaders,” said Mr Kania.
“Being an early-stage company is not easy, so to be supported by BEDA with a program like this has been invaluable.
“As a young company, we aspire to commercialise and internationalise our current and future products so they can benefit patients globally. We hope the recognition from San Francisco will help us achieve this.”
Max Kelson’s Digital Health Lead and Product Manager for PROPeL, Navid Toosi Saidy, said the company was now well positioned to expand its presence in the US and access global markets.
“BEDA’s MedTech Accelerator has given us the boost to develop our product pitch for visibility on the global stage,” said Dr Toosi Saidy.
“We are incredibly humbled by the enthusiastic reception our technology received.”