Australis Scientific wins MedTech prize for bladder health device
Australis Scientific has been named the MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific Grand Prize winner for its wearable bladder health device.
The Sydney-based company secured the top award and USD $175,000 in funding in recognition of its ConfidanzTM smart patch, which is designed to treat overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary incontinence-medical conditions estimated to affect more than 400 million people worldwide.
Wearable therapy
ConfidanzTM is a small, band-aid-sized patch worn near the ankle, utilising gentle tibial nerve stimulation to calm bladder activity. According to Australis Scientific, the device aims to reduce urgency, frequency, and leakage in people living with OAB symptoms by providing at-home therapy that previously required clinical visits.
Australis Scientific Founder and Chief Executive Officer Nick Agahari, a Harvard Medical School HealthTech Fellow, said that the award validates years of work focused on improving care for bladder-related conditions.
"To be recognised as the leading medtech innovator in Asia Pacific is both humbling and motivating," Mr Agahari said. "ConfidanzTM has the potential to transform how millions of people manage bladder health. It's simple, discreet, and brings proven clinical therapy into the home."
The company is currently conducting its first-in-human clinical trial, known as the SPARC Study, in Sydney and Brisbane. The objective of the trial is to generate the clinical evidence required for submissions to regulators in Australia, the United States, and Japan.
Healthcare context
The launch of ConfidanzTM comes at a time when demographic shifts are having a significant impact on healthcare needs in Asia. In Japan, more than 12 million adults live with overactive bladder, and sales of adult diapers have surpassed those for infants. Australis Scientific's device offers a home-based, non-invasive alternative to surgical or pharmacological treatment, with additional support provided through a mobile app and telehealth features for monitoring and follow-up.
Award selection
The MedTech Innovator competition is billed as the largest accelerator for medical technology startups globally, aiming to connect emerging companies with investors, healthcare partners, and sector leaders. Australis Scientific was selected from a pool of over 300 entrants from 25 countries to participate in the Asia Pacific finals, where it was recognised for both technological innovation and global market potential.
Speaking on the impact of the Grand Prize, Mr Agahari said the award represented a major moment for Australis Scientific as it seeks to expand and commercialise its technology internationally.
"Winning this award is a significant and material milestone for the business," Mr Agahari said. "It gives us visibility, resources, and regional partnerships to accelerate our goal of improving bladder health for people everywhere."
Australis Scientific has stated its intent to use the prize funding and partnership opportunities secured through the MedTech Innovator programme to further clinical development and facilitate regulatory and commercial pathways in its target markets.
