Nirtek

Based in Melbourne, Nirtek is a medical technology company focused on preventing heart attacks, a leading cause of death globally. The company originated from a significant clinical need identified by Professor Karlheinz Peter, a leading interventional cardiologist at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute. He observed that many patients suffered heart attacks despite undergoing coronary angiograms, as existing methods could not reliably determine which arterial plaques were unstable and prone to rupture.

Founded in 2019 as a university spin-out, Nirtek was established to commercialize a technology based on Professor Peter's research. The company is a collaboration uniting the clinical and research expertise of the Baker Institute with the optical physics and biomedical engineering capabilities of Swinburne University of Technology. Nirtek's core innovation is a patented guidewire device that employs Near Infra-Red Auto Fluorescence (NIRAF) technology. This diagnostic tool is designed to be used during standard coronary angiogram procedures, fitting seamlessly into the existing clinical workflow without adding significant time. The device directs near-infrared light at coronary plaques; unstable plaques, which contain specific compounds associated with instability, then emit an autofluorescence signal. This signal is detected by the device, providing cardiologists with critical information to identify dangerous lesions that might otherwise go untreated. By pinpointing exactly which plaques are vulnerable, clinicians can preemptively apply treatments like stenting to stabilize them before they can cause a heart attack.

Nirtek operates in the diagnostic equipment and HealthTech sectors, serving interventional cardiologists as its primary client base. The business model centers on the development and eventual sale of this proprietary medical device. The company has secured patents in the United States, Japan, the EU, and Australia. Development has been supported by funding from various partners, including a notable $750,000 grant in 2021 from the Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) program, which helped advance the guidewire prototype to a higher technology readiness level. The company has also received backing from the Medtech Actuator accelerator program. As of early 2024, Nirtek has also reportedly secured $28.5 million in a funding round to further advance product development and commercialization efforts. The executive team includes CEO Matthew Hoskin, who brings over 25 years of experience in the medical technology sector.

Keywords: cardiac diagnostics, coronary artery disease, heart attack prevention, medical device, Near Infra-Red Auto Fluorescence, NIRAF, intracoronary imaging, vulnerable plaque detection, cardiovascular health, HealthTech, MedTech, diagnostic equipment, university spin-out, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Swinburne University, Karlheinz Peter, Matthew Hoskin, angiography, interventional cardiology, medical technology, autofluorescence, plaque stability