Covering the events, awards, capital raises and more, lets look back at some of the highlights in our MedTech ecosystem of 2023.
February
Medtech-iQ Aotearoa launched to accelerate growing sector. A new national medical devices and digital health innovation hub as been launched to unite the expertise of researchers and clinicians from four connected regional hubs to accelerate MedTech research translation and company growth. Article
The company behind the world's first implantable long term brain pressure sensor, New Zealand start-up Kitea Health secured $6m funding from investors to scale its clinical trial programme and accelerate entry into global markets. Article
March
Hack Aotearoa - Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare conference and Datathon. Event page
April
Dennisson Technologies raised $1.6m, led by Icehouse Ventures, to grow and build its new ‘artificial muscle’ technology. Article
Aroa Biosurgery Limited received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (‘FDA’) 510K clearance for its Enivo pump and catheter which are key components of the Company’s new Enivo Tissue Apposition Platform. Article
May
The Auckland Bioengineering Institute celebrated its 20th anniversary with a week-long showcase - Bioengineering the Future - at the Auckland waterfront. Event page
Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai's Ara Manawa piloted a MedTech incubator programme at Auckland City Hospital. Article
The Australia-NZ BioBridge supported a delegation for Medtech-iQ Aotearoa regional hub members to study health innovation hubs in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia.
Toku Eyes poised for US breakthrough after big industry names, National Vision and Topcon Healthcare backed its $13m raise. Article
Formus Labs received FDA clearance510(k) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Formus Hip as the first “automated radiological image processing software” for hip replacement pre-op planning Article
Zimmer Biomet announced acquisition of Ossis. Article
Upstream Medical Technologies raised $2m to end discovery phaseand develop biomarkers to help treat patients with chest pain. Article
June
The Canterbury Health Technology Centre officially opened on June 1 housed in Te Matatiki Toi Ora Arts Centre. This new co-working space provides spaces for a cluster of health technology companies and the wider community to work, providing a unique and collaborative environment in this historic building. Article
The Insides Company gained early reimbursement in France. It is only the third medical device in the world to get early reimbursement in that market. Article
Alimetry, Aroa Biosurgery, Formus Labs and The Insides Company were amongst the first cohort of companies identified by Callaghan Innovation in its Sir Paul Callaghan 100 report. The report celebrates companies that have become the world-beating, world-bettering, innovative businesses that Sir Paul envisioned. More information
Formus Labs won the Most Innovative Hi-Tech Software and Deep Tech categories at the 2023 NZ Hi-Tech Awards with Tend Health taking the prize for the Most Innovative Hi-Tech Service. All winners
HealthTech Week 2023, annual conference for the MedTech ecosystem was hosted by Callaghan Innovation, CMDT and MTANZ. The community came together over 4 days for knowledge exchange and networking. A delegation of Australian researchers and companies attended HealthTech Week, supported by the Australia NZ BioBridge initiative to increase partnering across the Tasman. Event page
Victoria University of Wellington's Dr Edgar Rodriguez Ramirez, Dr Xuxu Amoozegar-Montero, and Aida Amoozegar-Montero won the HealthTech Award for Best Translational Research Project.
July
The Insides Company received B Corp Certification which recognises their leadership in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. Article
August
Scientists from Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington's Paihau - Robinson Research Institute (RRI), alongside designers from Te Kura Hoahoa - the School of Design Innovation, won the Innovation Gold Award for their world-first portable MRI scanner. Article
Merryn Tawhai appointed new director of Auckland Bioengineering Institute. Article
Wellumio raised $2.75m to help improve accessibility of stroke detection technology outside the hospital setting. The company is on a mission to make MRI machines truly mobile. Article
NZACRes - NZ Association of Clinical Research conference
September
AVASA raised $1.55M in an oversubscribed funding round for their innovative implantable device that makes microvascular surgery quicker and easier for surgeons. Article
Charles Beasley unveiled the first Chat GCP Podcast series on the fast evolving world of medical technologies in NZ. The first 15 episodes feature people from medical science, clinical research and all the strands of the MedTech ecosystem. Listen here
November
Victoria University of Wellington's Professor Bev Lawton and team from Te Tātai Hauora o Hine - National Centre for Women's Health Research Aotearoa received two medals at the 2023 Royal Society Te Apārangi Research Honours Aotearoa for their work on cervical cancer and Māori health research. Article
An innovative technology that allows Type 2 Diabetes risk assessments to be carried out in the comfort of people’s own homes took out the top award in the 2023 Canterbury HealthTech Challenge. Article
The NZTE International Business Award for Excellence in Innovation was awarded to Alimetry. See all winners here
Digital Health Week - HiNZ conference. Event page
December
Wellumio, Kitea Health, and Alimetry each received Callaghan Innovation inaugural Āroha Innovation Trailblazer Grants. More information
My Better Breathing, an AUT health technology start-up raised $1.65M investment led by WNT Ventures to progress the Goodair Nosebuds drug-free hayfever relief device. The funding will target manufacture and testing of 350 Goodair Nosebud prototypes. Article
South Korean medical AI company, Lunit announced it will acquire NZ's Volpara, an AI breast cancer diagnostics solutions company for $193M. Article