The Bionics Institute is an internationally recognised, independent non-profit medical research institute that solves medical challenges with technology.
With laboratories in St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and a multidisciplinary team comprising world-class scientists, engineers and researchers, the Bionics Institute leads the world in the research and translation of innovative medical devices and therapies that improve human health.
The institute is leading the conversation about how we can build Australia through innovation, as detailed in two white papers (see below) and a series of podcast interviews.
Epiminder epilepsy device granted FDA approval
Marking a major milestone, the Epiminder medical device for epilepsy — developed in collaboration with the Bionics Institute — has been granted US FDA approval.
Epiminder was founded in 2017 by world-renowned neurologist Professor Mark Cook AO in a research collaboration between the Bionics Institute, the University of Melbourne, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and Cochlear.
The partnership combined the technological expertise in epilepsy seizure monitoring of the three research institutions with Cochlear’s proficiency in implant design, development and manufacturing.
Epiminder’s Minder® device for epilepsy has now received FDA authorisation, clearing the way for the marketing and sale of the device in the US for patients with drug resistant epilepsy.
Minder® is an implantable device for continuous monitoring of brain activity, developed to address one of the most persistent challenges in epilepsy care: the lack of accurate, long-term data on seizure activity. The device extends the monitoring window of an EEG from days using current technologies to months or even years, delivering unprecedented access to a high-fidelity stream of continuous EEG data to health care professionals and their patients.
“The FDA’s clearance of Minder is a significant milestone for Epiminder and more importantly for the 52 million people around the world who have epilepsy,” said Epiminder CEO Rohan Hoare.
“As the first and only implantable continuous EEG monitor approved in the US, Minder can provide health care professionals and their patients with more accurate and timely diagnoses, enhanced therapeutic drug monitoring, and can better inform decisions on non-drug treatments like surgery.
“Looking ahead, Epiminder plans to develop a suite of integrated software solutions that will extend the clinical impact of the Minder device, for example by providing patients with advance notice of seizures through AI-enabled forecasting.”
Epiminder intends to formally launch Minder® in the US during the second half of 2025 undertaking a phased commercial roll out into leading epilepsy centres as part of a program to demonstrate the clinical utility of the system.
Leading the conversation
Over the past three years, the Bionics Institute has been leading the conversation about how we can build Australia through innovation.
This started with the launch of its Med Tech Talks podcast, where CEO Robert Klupacs interviews leaders, investors, researchers and entrepreneurs to explore how we can improve the translation of innovation into commercialisation to change the lives of people living with challenging medical conditions.
The Bionics Institute has also published two White Papers Building Australia Through Innovation and Investing in Innovation.
White Paper: Building Australia Through Innovation
We have a long history of entrepreneurship in Australia, yet we are falling behind in the global innovation race, with Australia ranked 25 out of 132 economies for innovation system performance.
However, Bionics Institute CEO Robert Klupacs is optimistic that Australia can – and will – be a leader for med tech innovation because Australia has the fundamentals in place.
The White Paper: Building Australia Through Innovation, synthesises stories, theories and recommendations to spark conversation and prompt our country’s policy makers and leaders to take action so Australia can realise its full R&D potential.
White Paper: Investing in Innovation
The Bionics Institute’s second White Paper: Investing in Innovation shines a light on investment into innovation: how to source investment; how our investment landscape differs to the United States; how to optimise investment; and finally, how to survive the Valley of Death.
“This paper highlights the extraordinary potential of Australia’s med tech sector and the crucial role institutional capital can play in driving further transformation,” said HESTA CEO Debby Blakey who provided the forward.
Podcasts
The Bionics Institute’s Med Tech Talks podcast interviews leaders, investors, researchers and entrepreneurs to explore how we can improve the translation of innovation into commercialisation to change the lives of people living with challenging medical conditions.
- Revolutionising Stroke Diagnosis: Scott Kirkland on EMVision’s Portable Brain Scanner
- Beyond Opioids: Justin Zenanko’s Vision for Spinal Fusion and Chronic Pain Relief
- Unlocking early-stage biotech: Dr Amir Zalcenstein on Transformative Science and Venture Capital
- Growing a global business with Trajan Co-founder Stephen Tomisich
- Insights into innovation investment from venture capitalist Dr Chris Smith
- The highs and lows of med tech entrepreneurship with Professor Andrew Wilks and Dr Chris Burns
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