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.

Associate Professor Le will undertake a seven-month fellowship with PI to train in agile development methodology and bolster her commercialization experience in digital health products, as she produces a world-first digital therapeutic to increase engagement testing and treatment for Australians living with Hepatitis C.

While similar digital therapeutics have been introduced in the United States to treat diabetes and depression, it will be the first application of the software in Australia and the first worldwide to focus on Hepatitis C.

The partnership will allow PI to gain access to a market-informed clinician who can provide real industry insights for PI’s team, while Associate Professor Le will gain exposure to the successful translation and commercialization of medical research and innovative health products.

“The REDI Fellowship enables Australian clinicians to further develop their commercial nous, understand what makes a commercially successful product and this ultimately results in more informed products and better health outcomes for patients,” said Eduardo Vom, Executive Director and co-founder of PI.

The partnership aligns nicely with PI’s BRIGHT™ innovation process that underpins all product development and commercialization activities, particularly with regards to ensuring the right solutions are generated.

“The BRIGHT™ process ensures problems are properly defined – and bringing Associate Professor Le into our team for seven months will do exactly this,” said Vom.

“Creating linkages with leading hospitals like Monash Health is critical to reduce the demand on hospital beds and provide more accessible and equitable patient care.

“The work that Associate Professor Le will undertake with us at PI is going to be life-changing for so many people – we can’t wait for her to join us,” he said.

The $32 million REDI Fellowship Program is supported by MTPConnect’s Researcher Exchange and Development within Industry (REDI) initiative funded by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). The REDI Fellowship program provides financial support to companies in the medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals (MTP) sector to bring researchers, clinicians and MTP professionals in-house for up to twelve months to work on priority medical research projects.