CNBP decided early on that the path to meaningful, real-world impact was to think outside of the box, or in this case, the lab.
At CNBP, the commercialisation process begins on the very first day of its projects.
CNBP has engaged with industry from the paddock to the plate, from the factory floor to the boardroom, to identify information gaps within systems.
The results speak for themselves.
Full or provisional patents have been awarded for innovations from automated in vitro fertilisation (IVF); to the treatment of neuropathic pain, to the use of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) in the security industry and for biomedical applications.
Other patents have been submitted or granted for high temperature sensors using microstructured optical fibres, 3D tissue engineering, bleaching assisted multichannel microscopy (BAMM), 3D microendoscopy and smart photonic pipettes.
Key to CNBP commercial success is the way it has brought physicists, chemists, engineers and biologists together to learn to talk in a shared language.
This approach led to the use of hyperspectral technologies to develop diagnostic techniques for motor neurone disease, fertility, and chronic kidney disease.
Some of the companies spun out from CNBP research or by CNBP researchers include:
Miniprobes
Miniprobes develops optical scanners for the livestock and research markets. Using their fibre-optic lens technology, they design low-cost optical coherence tomography scanheads for use in harsh environments.
Founded by CNBP researchers: Prof Robert McLaughlin, Dr Bryden Quirk and Rodney Kirk, 2016.
Art Lab Solutions
Develop and commercialise cattle reproductive technologies that feed into genetic improvement breeding programs.
Founded by Prof Jeremy Thompson, 2017.
MEQ Probe
MEQ Probe is a new solution that uses machine learning and spectral analysis to determine the quality of meat in seconds. The technology utilises a blend of physics, chemistry and biology coupled with machine learning to provide meat processors with an objective measure for meat quality.
Founded in 2017 by Availer Pty Ltd, with support from the South Australian Rapid Commercialisation Initiative (SARCI).
Woven Optics
Woven Optics is providing a new solution to measure wool quality on farm in real-time. The technology will combine optics and machine learning algorithms into a portable device and provide wool growers with an independent, objective measure of wool fibre quality.
Co-founded by Benjamin Pullen, Vicky Staikopoulos and Tom Ashby in 2018.
Life Whisperer
Life Whisperer uses artificial intelligence (AI) to better select healthy embryos for IVF, and ultimately improve outcomes for couples wanting to have children.
Cofounded by Dr Jonathan Hall, Dr Michelle Perugini and Dr Don Perugini, 2017.
Fertilis
Fertilis aims to improve the odds for IVF success by changing the way the embryology laboratory functions. With the Fertilis technology, each embryo grows inside its own patented micro-3D printed pod that protects the embryo and provides the most optimised growth environment ever developed.
Fertilis was founded in 2019 by CNBP researcher Prof Jeremy Thompson, based on results from a sabbatical in 2017 at RMIT and the University of Melbourne.
Spectral Change
Spectral Change has developed proprietary software, analytics, and food-grade devices that give winemakers a clear insight into the maturity of wine across every barrel, in an unobtrusive model, so that the age-old process of winemaking can continue, with a next-generation solution.
Founded in 2017 by Availer Pty Ltd, with support from the South Australian Rapid Commercialisation Initiative (SARCI).
