EMVision Secures $3M Grant to Revolutionize Stroke Care in Regional Australia
EMVision Medical Devices has been awarded a $3 million non-dilutive government grant to conduct a pioneering clinical study using its telehealth-enabled emu™ brain scanner in regional South Australia, aiming to transform stroke diagnosis and treatment.
- $3 million non-dilutive Australian Government grant awarded
- Clinical study to improve stroke care in regional and rural communities
- Use of telehealth-enabled emu™ point-of-care brain scanners
- Partnership with Titan Pre-hospital Innovation and Australian Stroke Alliance
- Total outstanding grant funding now $7.4 million
A Game-Changer for Regional Stroke Care
EMVision Medical Devices Ltd (ASX – EMV) has taken a significant step forward in addressing the critical healthcare disparities faced by regional and rural Australians. The company announced it has secured a $3 million non-dilutive grant from the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) program. This funding will support a clinical study deploying EMVision’s innovative emu™ point-of-care brain scanner, enhanced with telehealth capabilities, to accelerate stroke diagnosis and treatment in underserved communities.
Bridging the Gap in Stroke Diagnosis
Stroke care in regional Australia has long been hampered by limited access to advanced imaging and specialist staff, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. EMVision’s emu™ device, designed to be portable, non-invasive, and telehealth-enabled, aims to overcome these barriers by providing rapid brain imaging at the point of care. The upcoming study in South Australian regional hospitals will integrate the emu™ scanner with the Titan Zeus telehealth network, connecting local stroke nurses and clinicians with expert neurologists remotely. This workflow promises to reduce time to diagnosis, a critical factor in improving patient outcomes.
Collaborative Expertise Driving Innovation
The project brings together a strong consortium including Titan Pre-hospital Innovation, the Australian Stroke Alliance, and the South Australian Rural Support Service. Each partner contributes unique expertise; from telehealth infrastructure to clinical guidance and regional healthcare delivery; ensuring the study is robust and clinically relevant. Australian Stroke Alliance co-chair Professor Geoffrey Donnan highlighted the collaboration’s potential to bring cutting-edge brain imaging technology to patients regardless of location, potentially transforming stroke treatment paradigms.
Pathway to Commercialisation and Regulatory Approval
Beyond clinical validation, the study aims to generate compelling health economic data to support wider adoption of the emu™ device. EMVision plans to leverage its prior FDA clearance to expedite Australian regulatory approval through the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s abridged assessment process. The company’s CEO, Scott Kirkland, emphasized that securing this grant is a pivotal milestone in their commercial strategy, enabling direct deployment of emu™ scanners where timely stroke diagnosis is most needed.
Funding Momentum and Future Outlook
This latest $3 million grant adds to EMVision’s existing funding pool, bringing total outstanding grant support to $7.4 million. While the funding is subject to formal agreements, it underscores strong government backing for innovations addressing rural health inequities. As the study progresses, investors and healthcare stakeholders will be watching closely to see if EMVision’s technology can deliver on its promise to revolutionize stroke care across Australia’s vast regional landscape.
Bottom Line?
EMVision’s $3 million grant-backed study could be the catalyst that finally brings timely stroke diagnosis to Australia’s most underserved communities.
Questions in the middle?
- How quickly will EMVision complete the clinical study and report results?
- What are the projected timelines for Australian regulatory clearance and market launch?
- Can the emu™ scanner’s telehealth model be scaled nationally beyond South Australia?
