Three pioneering Australian SMEs—Cortical Dynamics, Microbio, and Resonait Medical Technologies—have been selected to join the Biomedical AI Sprints Accelerator (BASA), a new program designed to enhance their medical products through data and artificial intelligence (AI).
The accelerator, launched this month, is spearheaded by two of Australia’s leading innovation centres, the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub and MTPConnect.
The selected companies will leverage AI to revolutionise their products, which address critical healthcare needs.
These innovations include optimising perioperative management during surgery, improving sepsis diagnosis with advanced PCR-based platforms, and accelerating recovery from depression through AI-driven insights.
Unlocking AI potential in medtech
ARM Hub CEO and founder, Professor Cori Stewart, highlighted the importance of AI and automation in boosting Australia’s productivity.
“AI and automation are estimated to increase Australia’s productivity by 50% to 150%,” Professor Stewart said.
“We are already seeing life-changing evidence of the value of AI in biomedicine with accelerated drug discovery, precision medicine, and enhanced diagnostics.”
MTPConnect CEO Stuart Dignam emphasised the urgent need for AI expertise within Australia’s biomedical sector.
“Providing support to these promising companies means we are building sovereign AI capabilities in our medical science sector,” Dignam said.
The program aims to fill a gap in AI and big data expertise, helping companies develop tailored plans to scale their AI applications and overcome adoption challenges.
Innovative medtech solutions
- Cortical Dynamics: This neurotechnology company is enhancing its Brain Anaesthesia Response (BARM™) system using AI to predict patient outcomes based on anesthetic drugs used during surgery. CEO Ashley Zimpel said that AI integration will improve patient outcomes and reduce the environmental impact of surgery by optimizing drug administration.
- Microbio: Based in Brisbane, Microbio is using AI to analyse human pathogen genomic data, which will enhance their sepsis diagnostic tool, InfectID-BSI. Founder Dr Flavia Huygens said the company’s AI systems will allow it to rapidly respond to emerging infectious diseases, improving treatment outcomes.
Resonait Medical Technologies: Resonait is addressing the mental healthcare crisis by developing AI algorithms that personalise treatment for depression patients. CEO Dr Cameron Higgins said the program will help scale their technology into clinic-ready products, enabling psychiatrists to optimise treatment plans.
