Navi Medical Technologies delivered exceptionally well on their first Accelerating Commercialisation grant
Navi Medical Technologies (“Navi”) have developed a novel technology that enables neonatal critical care physicians to accurately track and place central venous catheters into the hearts of neonatal babies. These catheters are critical to infusing life-saving drugs and nutrition during a precarious phase after premature babies are born. Navi received a first stage of funding of $400,000 from Accelerating Commercialisation in 2019 to take the Neonav® catheter tip location system prototype into first-in-human clinical trials. The team’s ability to successfully deliver on this first project to the Programme’s expectations, despite COVID-related challenges, set the stage for their next phase of clinical activities.
The Navi team were initially successful with their first Accelerating Commercialisation grant as their electrocardiography-based tip location system was unique and novel, and was developed around solving a clinical problem that could potentially escalate to the point of neonates being at risk of serious injury, or death. Currently, the placement of a catheter into the correct location is challenging for critical care physicians and nurses, and they rely on either x-ray or ultrasound scans to assist in the procedure. X-ray imaging exposes tiny babies to radiation and ultrasound imaging is cumbersome – not ideal when time is of the essence. Other products on the market simply aren’t suitable for premature babies and kids.
Direct impact and saving lives
During their first project, the Neonav® system was evaluated in over 50 babies to date, including Nash born at just 28 weeks (10 weeks premature). The overall goal of the project is to provide a direct impact by improving clinical efficiency and healthcare outcomes for patients.
Navi made a clear case for follow-up support from Accelerating Commercialisation
Medtech companies are often required to run many clinical studies to demonstrate that their products are safe and effective, and Navi is no exception. Commercial and clinical interest in the Neonav® catheter tip location system continues to grow not only for the paediatric population, but also for adults; the overall market is large at an estimated AU $5.1B globally. Along with a robust IP position targeting a persistent clinical problem, Navi’s case for follow-on support for further clinical trial activities was very strong.
A strong team, supported by a qualified and experienced Board
The Navi team founded in the inaugural year of the University of Melbourne’s Biodesign Program in 2016. The Biodesign program brought a group of individuals with diverse commercial, technical, clinical backgrounds together to tackle an area of paediatric critical care that was lacking a game-changing solution. Their success to date is predicated on the strength of the team.
The additional support from Accelerating Commercialisation will enable Navi to take their technology to the world, and we look forward to seeing the team go to new heights on their journey to making this life saving technology globally available.
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