A Melbourne healthcare startup has won the inaugural Janssen HaTCH Health and Technology Challenge. The winner is being awarded $100, 000 to advance its cause.
An idea is HaTCHed
Footprints, a sensor system developed by Quanticare Technologies, has the ability to predict falls in the elderly before they occur. The intention is that the device, when affixed to a walking frame, will continuously monitor a senior’s walking quality, informing doctors when interventions may be needed.
Entrepreneur Wesley Loh said; “Currently our healthcare system pays $8.4b for injuries caused by falls. Footprints can help reduce these costs by preventing falls. The device may also improve the quality of life of Australian seniors and could allow them to remain independent for longer.”
The verdict is in…
Judging panelist and chair of the World Medical Association Council Dr Mukesh Haikerwal AO, said that Footprints demonstrated an innovative approach to addressing a critical challenge facing Australia’s aging population.
Chris Hourigan, Managing Director, Janssen Australia New Zealand said: “It has been encouraging to see the enthusiasm in which the start-up community embraced the inaugural HaTCH challenge. We look forward to continuing to work with this growing area in Australian healthcare.”
The winning team believes the grant will help accelerate the development of Footprints, bringing it to market sooner and benefiting Australia’s seniors community much earlier.
“Janssen HaTCH has provided a unique environment to support the growing health technology start-up space in Australia. Opportunities like this are key to generating needed discussion on how technology can help improve the ways in which health and healthcare is delivered to Australians”, Loh said.
The finalists…
Janssen HaTCH weighed three other healthcare technology concepts in addition to Footprints:
- Life Picture: Chronic diseases involve changes to the molecular pathways of individuals. The Life Picture health monitoring system uses biomarkers and smartphone technology to improve early disease detection.
- Respirio Flu Test: Seasonal influenza kills more Australians than car accidents. The Respiro Flu Test is the first non-invasive ultra-sensitive test for influenza infection in children and adults. It takes less than 20 minutes and detects all strains of human influenza including H1N1 and bird flu.
- Track Active: Exercise is considered to be the single most important treatment modality for addressing chronic health and musculoskeletal problems. Track Active is a cloud based platform for health and medical professionals to efficiently prescribe customised, evidence-based exercise programs to assist patients in recovery.
Each finalist received $10,000 in funding.
You can learn more about Footprints, right here,
