Transformative medical innovation in paediatric care recognised with research commercialisation award
A medical innovation that is transforming paediatric care has been named Research Commercialisation winner in the Cooperative Research Australia (CRA) Excellence in Innovation Awards.
The award recognises the development and commercialisation of the Neonav® ECG Tip Location System (Neonav), the world’s first real-time catheter guidance device designed specifically for newborns and children.
Neonav was created through a collaboration between Navi Medical Technologies, the University of Melbourne, the Royal Women’s Hospital, and Design + Industry, with support from the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program.
University of Melbourne researcher Alex Newton is the co-founder and CEO of Navi Medical Technologies and holds an honorary position in our Faculty of Business and Economics.
He said the award demonstrates what is possible when clinicians, researchers, designers, and entrepreneurs work together to solve real-world problems.
“This partnership is a model of what sustained, high-impact, cross-sector collaboration should look like,” Mr Newton said.
“It is a great honour for our technology to be recognised by this award and demonstrate Australia’s capacity to deliver healthcare innovation that matters.”
This transformative technology improves outcomes for patients by reducing central venous catheter complications, avoiding unnecessary X-rays, and improving procedural safety in neonatal and paediatric intensive care units.
Without the technology, which has US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance, 40 per cent of catheters are not inserted properly, and nearly half move when inside the body.
Navi Medical Technologies was co-founded by alumni from Melbourne School of Engineering and Melbourne Business School under the mentorship of University of Melbourne Clifford Chair in Neural Engineering Professor David Grayden.
"This award shows the benefits and outcomes of collaborative innovation, from the BioDesign Innovation course where I first mentored the Neonav team to our ongoing CRC-funded research project," Professor Grayden said.
"It's wonderful to see an idea born in the classroom evolve into an FDA-cleared medical device, demonstrating how academia and industry can partner to create real-world impact in paediatric care."
University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Mark Cassidy said the collaboration aligns with national health priorities and has global impact.
“This is an outstanding example of how university research and innovation can move from the lab to community to benefit patients, families, and the healthcare system,” Professor Cassidy said.
“Through impactful partnerships like this, we continue to generate new knowledge, deliver on our commitment to translate research into enduring outcomes for society and build sovereign capability in advanced health technologies.”
The Neonav collaboration is now preparing for global adoption with manufacturing underway in Australia and several US children’s hospitals engaged in evaluation discussions.
In addition to its clinical and commercial success, the project has created jobs, supported student training, and built lasting capability across the Australian medtech sector.