News, stories and opinions for the business innovators of the world.

News.

Planet Innovation and Dermapenworld are celebrating more than 50,000 Dermapen micro-needling instruments produced at PI’s manufacturing facility and shipped for distribution to more than 80 countries worldwide.

Suraya SalehMarketing Communications Manager
Suraya Saleh
Topics.

LevitasBio launches LeviCell EOS system for higher throughput cell isolation and enrichment through Levitation Technology

LevitasBio® has partnered with Planet Innovation to design and manufacture its groundbreaking new LeviCell® EOS system for cell isolation and enrichment during sample preparation.

ASP Health Inc. wins Good Design Award with sample prep platform for cancer diagnostics

ASP Health and Planet Innovation have received a prestigious Good Design Award in the ‘Product Design – Medical and Scientific’ category this year for ASP Health’s innovative sample preparation instrument.

PI hosts the U.S. State Department and Mayor of Irvine at Startups Roundtable

About 30 Californian startups joined PI and Mayor of Irvine, Farrah Khan, for a Startups Roundtable event with special guest, the Honorable Dilawar Syed from the U.S. State Department.

BluSense Diagnostics adopts PI’s NeoSync to remotely monitor and manage its fleet of point-of-care diagnostic instruments

Global diagnostics company BluSense Diagnostics has adopted PI’s NeoSync connectivity solution to remotely monitor its fleet of in-market diagnostic instruments.

Evident Corporation and Planet Innovation enter into long-term strategic partnership

Evident Corporation and Planet Innovation today announced a long-term strategic partnership to develop and manufacture innovative digital workflow solutions for life science markets.

Democratization of healthcare and considerations for the at-home POC market

The demand for at-home patient monitoring and greater personal ownership of healthcare continues to grow, as do the opportunities for emerging players in this space.

PI expands Medical Device Manufacturing capacity with the opening of a new 70,000 sq.ft. facility in Irvine, CA

PI has more than doubled its manufacturing floor space in the United States with the opening of its all-new 70,000 sq.ft. production facility in Irvine, CA.

Sign up for the Perspectives newsletter:

A roundup of the latest news and opinions from PI.

PI wins Best Workplace Flexibility Program Award

Planet Innovation’s flexible work offering has been recognized at the 2022 Australian HR Awards, with the company taking home the Best Workplace Flexibility Program Award.

Clinician advisors: The who, why, how and when of a successful partnership

The role of a clinician advisor in your organization can be determined by clarifying some fundamental questions. Why do you want a clinician advisor? What do you need them to do? Is there an actual clinical need for your product or service; or are you just seeking clinical validation?

Planet Innovation named Manufacturer of the Year

Planet Innovation has been recognized as Manufacturer of the Year (Large Business) at the 2022 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards, also taking home the Outstanding Response to COVID-19 Award.

World-first digital therapeutic to be developed at PI by Associate Professor Suong Le

Planet Innovation will partner with consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist Associate Professor Suong Le, from Monash Health, as part of the Australian Department of Health’s Researcher Exchange and Development within Industry (REDI) initiative.

ASP Health and PI pick up Medical Design Excellence Award for sample preparation platform

ASP Health and Planet Innovation have received the Bronze Award in the Testing and Diagnostic Product and Systems category at the 2022 Medical Design Excellent Awards (MDEA) for their innovative, FDA-registered automated sample preparation system.  

PI Launches NeoSync™ to transform point-of-care connectivity

Planet Innovation has launched NeoSync™, a unique, out-of-the box product that connects medical devices to popular Electronic Health Records (EHRs).

PI partners with ASP Health to develop and manufacture an automated sample preparation platform to enhance cancer diagnostics

PI has partnered with Chicago-based company ASP Health to help them develop and manufacture an innovative sample preparation instrument to enhance cancer diagnostics through more consistent, high quality patient samples.

PI acquires BIT Group’s North American operations, doubling its medtech manufacturing capacity

Based in Irvine, California, the addition of BIT Group’s 29,000 sq. ft. facility solidifies PI’s commitment to grow its manufacturing capabilities to support its growing U.S. customer base.

PI delivers record growth in FY21 with operating revenue of A$112m, up 69%

Planet Innovation (PI) has achieved record revenue in FY21 driven by strong growth in the global medtech sector.

PI introduces voluntary COVID-19 rapid testing to help keep on-site staff safe

Planet Innovation is taking another step in providing a safe working environment for on-site staff by introducing voluntary COVID-19 rapid antigen testing at its Australian facility.

Atmo Biosciences secures $9.6 million in oversubscribed capital raise

Atmo Biosciences, a digital health company that is developing the world’s first ingestible gas-sensing capsule for monitoring gut health, has closed an oversubscribed A$9.6m capital raise.

Planet Innovation’s unique ‘strategic investor’ approach proves a winner

Planet Innovation is redefining what it means to be a strategic investor by providing investee companies with not just funding, but access to its people, facilities and networks.

PI Commercial established to help clients commercialize regulated healthcare products and build strong businesses

Planet Innovation has launched a commercial services unit, PI Commercial, to provide our clients with business guidance and expertise from idea through to product launch.

Government Ministers visit PI to officially open state-of-the-art cleanrooms to manufacture sterile consumables

Minister for Industry Support and Recovery, Martin Pakula, and Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, Jaala Pulford, visited PI to officially open our state-of-the-art cleanrooms used to manufacture sterile medical consumables for global clients.

Lumos Diagnostics raises A$63m in ASX IPO

Lumos Diagnostics, a PI investee company, has been admitted to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) with trading commencing on July 5 after raising $63 million AUD in an Initial Public Offering (IPO).

Prime Minister Scott Morrison congratulates PI on its “tremendous success” during tour of expanded facility

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Federal Member for Chisholm Gladys Liu visited Planet Innovation to tour our expanded manufacturing and design facilities, and discuss the recently announced Patent Box tax incentive.

Atmo Biosciences ramps up production of ingestible gas-sensing capsule at PI’s new manufacturing facility

Atmo Biosciences is ramping up manufacture of its third generation gas-sensing capsule at Planet Innovation’s recently opened new medtech manufacturing facility.

PI expands manufacturing facilities with new medtech wing in Melbourne

Australia’s Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews visited PI to officially open a new medtech manufacturing wing for products and consumables.

Planet Innovation-backed company, Visus Therapeutics, raises US$36 million

PI’s business model has been proven a success with another of its investee companies – Visus Therapeutics™ – raising $US36 ($A47) million in Series A financing.

Podcast: Sam Lanyon on the future of advanced manufacturing, digital health and point-of-care diagnostics

Sam Lanyon speaks to the Talking HealthTech podcast about the future of advanced manufacturing and digital health, especially in light of COVID-19.

Experienced medtech executive Sue MacLeman appointed to PI Board

Sue MacLeman, an experienced and respected leader in Australia’s medtech industry, has joined the Planet Innovation Board as a non-executive director.

Planet Innovation raises $9.8m in oversubscribed capital raise

Planet Innovation has closed an oversubscribed $9.8 million capital raising to accelerate business growth to meet strong international demand for its manufacturing, product development and digital services.

PI wins Export Award for resilience and innovation during COVID-19 pandemic

Planet Innovation has been recognized as a leading example of resilience, innovation and excellence at the 41st Governor of Victoria Export Awards (GOVEAs).

Visus Therapeutics established to develop and commercialize innovative treatments to improve vision

Visus Therapeutics, a company backed by Planet Innovation, has started a clinical development program for a novel eye drop designed to restore the loss of near vision associated with aging.

LevitasBio partners with PI to develop and manufacture the world’s first label-free cell separation platform

Silicon Valley start-up LevitasBio has launched the world’s first label-free cell separation platform, the LeviCell™.

PI and Lumos pick up top Medical Design and Engineering Awards for rapid diagnostic development platform

Planet Innovation and Lumos Diagnostics have won two awards at the 2020 Good Design Awards, including a Good Design Award Gold accolade for Lumos’s Leelu Reader.

Keeping PI COVID safe with SteraMist

Planet Innovation is using SteraMist® to disinfect its office and manufacturing premises to protect onsite manufacturing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Global diagnostics leader Hany Massarany to join PI Board

Hany Massarany, a renowned leader in the global diagnostics industry, is joining the Planet Innovation Board as a non-executive director.

Atmo Biosciences wins $620k grant to advance commercialization of ingestible gas-sensing capsule to diagnose gut disorders

Atmo Biosciences has been awarded a $620,000 Australian Government grant through the BioMedTech Horizons (BMTH) program.

PI wins global manufacturing contract for decontamination products used worldwide for infectious disease control

TOMI Environmental Solutions, a global company specializing in decontamination and disinfection, has selected Planet Innovation to manufacture its SteraMist® range of products used worldwide for infectious disease control, including to help fight the spread of COVID-19.

First NOTUS ventilator rolls off Planet Innovation’s production line

The first NOTUS Vivere emergency invasive ventilator has been produced at the Planet Innovation manufacturing facility.

Industry leaders Jonathan Ling and Jim Fox join PI Board

PI has welcomed two experienced company leaders to the PI Board, with Jonathan Ling appointed Chairman and Jim Fox joining as a non-executive director.

NASA’s JPL selects Planet Innovation to manufacture ventilator in Australia

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has selected Planet Innovation as the only Australian manufacturer of a new ventilator tailored for COVID-19 patients.

Atmo Biosciences raises $2.5m in seed financing

Atmo Biosciences, a digital health business that provides objective real-time insights into gut health and microbiome function, has raised a further A$2.5 million in an oversubscribed funding round, supplementing an initial seed raise in March 2019.

Stuart Elliott speaks on ABC Radio about manufacturing supply chain resilience

Planet Innovation co-CEO and co-founder Stuart Elliott described the COVID-19 pandemic as a “wake-up call” for how medical products are sourced, in an interview with ABC Radio.

Cole-Parmer puts user experience at the forefront with new peristaltic pump series

Cole-Parmer’s new Masterflex® Ismatec® Reglo Digital Pump series, is not so much an evolution, but a revolution of the popular peristaltic pump range.

PI and Lumos work with Victorian Government to pilot FebriDx as acute respiratory infection patient triage tool in response to COVID-19 pandemic

We are seeking GPs and other healthcare professionals in Victoria, Australia to pilot a new TGA-approved point-of-care test to help differentiate patients with viral from bacterial acute respiratory tract infections.

Atmo Biosciences and Seed Health announce research partnership to evaluate impact of probiotics on gut microbiome

Seed Health, a US-based microbial sciences company, and Atmo Biosciences, a Planet Innovation early stage venture, have announced a partnership to use Atmo’s ingestible gas-sensing capsule to study the impact of probiotics on the gut microbiome.

Tackling the global health threat of antibiotic resistance through Lumos Diagnostics and the FebriDx test

November 18-24 is World Antibiotic Awareness Week, so it’s a good time to draw attention to the global health challenge of antibiotic resistance, which Planet Innovation is combating through its business Lumos Diagnostics.

IDEX Health & Science launches Tridex™ Protein Analyzer for bioprocessing

IDEX Health & Science has launched the Tridex™ Protein Analyzer, which Planet Innovation helped develop, to measure protein titer directly from a bioreactor in real time.

PI to manufacture Scinogy’s new cell processing system for cell therapy manufacture

Planet Innovation is partnering with Melbourne-based start-up Scinogy to manufacture a revolutionary new cell processing system that is being commercialized by global biotechnology company Thermo Fisher Scientific.

ABC Radio interviews Stuart Elliott on PI’s growth, innovation and manufacturing

Journalist Virginia Trioli spoke to Planet Innovation co-CEO and co-founder Stuart Elliott live on ABC Radio about the challenges the company has faced and the successes we have enjoyed.

PI partners with Allume to manufacture world-first solar sharing system for apartments

Melbourne-based start-up Allume has signed a manufacturing contract with Planet Innovation to produce its innovative solar sharing system, SolShare.

PI wins top medical design award and digital app award

Planet Innovation took home the Good Design Awards’ top gong for medical design for our work on Clever Culture Systems’ APAS Independence instrument, along with a digital design award for Uniting NSW’s Mosaic app.

Lumos Diagnostics merges with RPS Diagnostics

Lumos Diagnostics and RPS Diagnostics have merged to create a full-service point-of-care diagnostic development company and support the international commercialization of FebriDx.

Abbott’s VIP2000 recognized at Medical Design Excellence Awards in New York

Abbott Molecular’s VIP2000 was recognized for its innovative product design and engineering as a finalist at the prestigious Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEAs) in New York.

PI Digital established with a focus on rapid deployment of digital health and IoT solutions

PI Digital combines a collaborative engagement model with a strong commercial focus to develop customized digital solutions, including for regulated medical environments.

IVF pioneer Genea sells for more than $250 million

Australian fertility group Genea has been successfully sold to an Asian consortium for more than AU$250 million after disrupting the fertility industry with a range of new IVF technologies.

Imagion Biosystems teams with PI to develop MagSense™ instrument for early cancer detection

PI has entered into an agreement with Imagion Biosystems, a company dedicated to improving healthcare through the earlier detection of cancer, to develop Imagion’s MagSense instrument technology.

AusBiotech 2018: Putting digital health development under the spotlight

The AusBiotech National Conference, held in sunny Brisbane, brought together national and international leaders from across the life sciences industry. I took the opportunity to pop into a number of sessions on the growing AI and digital health sectors.

Lights, camera, action! PI hosts TV show on design innovation

Planet Innovation’s Melbourne office was taken over by camera crews when we hosted the judging sessions for TV show Australia By Design: Innovations.

AMP 2018: Improving patient selection through precision medicine

This month’s Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) 2018 Annual Meeting & Expo focused on the field of precision medicine. Experts from across the molecular diagnostic world gathered in San Antonio, Texas, to exchange knowledge and ideas, with the ultimate aim of creating better patient outcomes.

PI and ANDHealth secure funding for Digital Health Innovators Program

Planet Innovation and ANDHealth have secured LaunchVic funding to deliver a unique joint program ‘B.R.I.G.H.T Future For Digital Health Innovators’ over the next two years.

PI launches Atmo Biosciences to commercialize ingestible gas-sensing capsule for gut health

Atmo Biosciences, a Planet Innovation early stage venture, has signed a licensing deal with RMIT University to secure the exclusive worldwide rights to a ground-breaking ingestible gas-sensing capsule.

Lumos Diagnostics to supply customized Leelu Readers for new California-based partner

Lumos Diagnostics is expanding its global footprint after agreeing an ongoing manufacturing deal for a customized lateral flow reader with a California-based life sciences company.

PI to commercialize pioneering technology that mimics blood flow to detect patients at risk of heart attack or stroke

An RMIT University researcher working with PI on technology that can test patients for bleeding or clotting disorders has been awarded more than $650,000 in NHMRC funding.

PI teams up with Ramsay Health Care as it launches digital health venture, Vitalic Medical

Planet Innovation has launched Vitalic Medical, a digital health venture addressing two major problems for general wards in hospitals around the world: undetected patient deterioration and in-hospital patient falls.

Westpac names PI as a Businesses of Tomorrow winner

Planet Innovation has been selected as one of Australia’s Top 20 Businesses of Tomorrow from more than 1,000 applications.

PI's Digital Health Team partner with Merck to launch QBOX IVF for improved efficiency in fertility labs

QBOX IVF connects and streamlines data transfer between lab instruments and Electronic Medical Record providers, supporting healthcare professionals in fertility.

PI judges Most Innovative Companies list

Planet Innovation has joined the judging panel for The Australian Financial Review’s Most Innovative Companies list after dominating the awards for the past six years.

APAS Independence wins global accolades at Medical Design Excellence Awards

Clever Culture Systems has collected silver at the prestigious Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEAs) for its innovative APAS Independence instrument, which Planet Innovation helped develop.

PI Design team picks up two Good Design Awards

Planet Innovation’s design team won two awards at the 60th Annual Good Design Awards for their work with Cycliq on its Fly CE products and with Dermapenworld on the Dermapen 4 medical product.

Fast Company names Zen Ecosystems in Top 10 Most Innovative Energy Companies

Fast Company, a leading publisher in technology, business, and design, has recognized Zen Ecosystems, a Planet Innovation business, as one of its Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Energy for 2018.

PI and Preora Healthcare partner to bring novel detection technology to cancer diagnostic market

Planet Innovation today announced a partnership with Preora Healthcare Inc., pioneers in the detection of early-stage cancers, to bring to market a series of novel, low-cost, minimally invasive, highly accurate and easy-to-use cancer screening tests.

PI launches Lumos: A unique, complete solution provider for rapid point-of-care diagnostics

Lumos Diagnostics develops custom products for its partners using a unique combination of integrated assay and engineering capability paired with its proven reader optical technologies.

PI wins Biotech Company of the Year

Over the past year, PI doubled its company revenue, created over 100 new jobs for the biotechnology sector, and more than tripled its manufacturing export revenues of biomed and life-science products.

Zen Ecosystems to help Australia manage peak energy demand

Zen Ecosystems has received a major grant by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to help secure Australia’s energy supplies during times of peak demand.

Market-Focus key to PI winning Australia’s ‘Best Innovation Program’

Planet Innovation’s market-centric approach to innovation has again been recognized as the Best Innovation Program in Australia by the AFR.

Planet Innovation opens New Advanced Manufacturing Wing

PI has opened a new Northern Wing of their Advanced Manufacturing Center in Box Hill, to accommodate an increasing number of local and international manufacturing contracts.

PI attends AACC 2017 in San Diego to advocate ‘market-led’ product development and manufacturing

We work with our global partners to develop winning product and commercial strategies. PI brings a market-led approach that helps develop the right product-market fit, to ensure product success results in commercial success.

Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEAs) in New York recognize Planet Innovation with two Gold Awards

Planet Innovation was a standout performer picking up two of the highest honors at this year’s MDEAs for innovation in medical product design and engineering.

Federal Treasurer commends PI for global leadership in medtech innovation

“This is a business that is smart, it’s innovative, it’s passionate, and it is breaking new ground. From day dot it was breaking into global markets. It continues to invest in itself and it continues to invest in its people.” – Australian Federal Treasurer, Scott Morrison.

World first baby born using the Geri incubator

In a world first, a baby girl has been born using the specially-designed imaging incubator, Geri, developed and commercialized by Genea and Planet Innovation.

Comcast’s Xfinity Home and Zen Ecosystems Announce New Partnership to make Smart Homes Greener Homes

Last week, at the Smart Home Marketplace at CES 2017, Comcast announced a partnership with Xfinity Home and Zen Ecosystems (a PI venture), the manufacturer of a new simple, beautiful and connected thermostat that is fully integrated with the Xfinity Home ecosystem and part of its family of core devices.

Nplex point-of-care diagnostic platform to deliver connected solution

Planet Innovation’s PoC (Point-of-Care) diagnostic platform, Nplex, will benefit from further investment to develop a cloud-connected medical counter-measures device, for the rapid detection of infectious diseases.

PI wins Most Innovative Company Award for the third time

The Australian Financial Review has awarded Planet Innovation four innovation awards, including Australia’s Most Innovative Company.

Telstra selects Zen Thermostat for its Smart Home Platform

Zen Thermostat, a PI venture, has been selected by Telstra to be sold as part of its soon to be released Smart Home Platform.

Planet Innovation recognized for world leading product design

Planet Innovation clients pick up four trophies and Best Overall Product Design at the Good Design Awards.

Silicon Valley star joins the Board of Planet Group

Planet Innovation has strengthened its position as a global player in the commercialisation of technology ventures with the strategic appointment of Teresa Engelhard to the Board of Planet Group Holdings.

Planet Innovation again named Australia’s Most Innovative Company

Planet Innovation has been named Australia’s Most Innovative Company for the second time in three years.

Genea’s IVF deal with Merck secures manufacturing contract for PI

Pharmaceutical giant Merck Serono has signed an exclusive deal securing global marketing and commercialization rights to Genea Biomedx’s range of IVF products including Gavi and Geri, which were designed by Genea with development partner, Planet Innovation.

PI launches new development and manufacturing center for medical and hi-tech products

At a formal ceremony attended by Australian Federal Assistant Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, Planet Innovation (PI) has officially revealed its all new centre for Product Development and Manufacturing.

Strange technology allows us all to train like champions

Entrepreneur Will Strange has teamed up with Planet Innovation to launch a highly accurate, contact sport GPS system, GameTraka©, at a price point that amateur and junior clubs can afford.

World first imaging incubator uses unconventional approach to monitor embryos

Genea Biomedx has created an incubation instrument with time lapse photography, which allows scientists and potential parents to watch their embryos grow in their first crucial few days.

Planet Innovation ranks in Australia’s top 10 Most Innovative Company list for 3rd straight year

After debuting on the list in 2012 in eighth place and topping the list in 2013, Planet Innovation is thrilled to once again be named among the top 10 most innovative Australian companies, this year ranking at number three.

Zen Thermostat: PI launches connected device business on oversubscribed crowdfunding campaign

Zen is a smart thermostat launched by Planet Innovation with a successful crowd funding campaign.

Seven News highlights the power of Ingeni

Primetime Australian news broadcaster, Channel 7 News, has highlighted the frustration of millions of consumers in not being able to easily find the cheapest energy plan and has promoted Ingeni, developed by Planet Innovation, as a simple solution.

Australia’s No.1 Most Innovative Company

It is both rewarding and humbling to be recognized as Australia’s Most Innovative Company for 2013.

How PI became Australia's 5th fastest growing company

Planet Innovation has been recognized as Australia’s 5th fastest growing company by BRW. PI’s Stuart Elliott sat down with BRW to discuss the ingredients to achieving sustained growth.

Stuart Elliott picks up EY Entrepreneur of the Year regional award

Stuart Elliott, Planet Innovation Managing Director, was named a regional winner in the EY Entrepreneur of The Year awards on September the 5th, 2013.

Event: The Future Direction of IVDs at AusMedtech 2013

Dr. Ian Macfarlane will share his real-world experience on the ingredients to success for both start-up and established IVD companies at Ausmedtech 2013.

Planet Innovation expands to the US

We are excited to announce the opening of our new US office. This new office, based in Chicago, is part of our long term commitment to providing exceptional client service and assisting our partners with commercializing new technologies in the US and global markets.

PI ranked Australia’s 8th Most Innovative Company

Planet Innovation was ranked Australia’s 8th most innovative company by Australia’s premier weekly business publication BRW – and we proudly accept the honor.