Massey Ventures double finalist in the Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards
4th October 2024
Massey Ventures proudly announces its recognition as a finalist in two categories at the KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards. These awards celebrate innovations that stem from academic research, emphasising their potential to address critical societal challenges through advanced technology.
Above: The KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards
Best Spinout Finalist
Novolabs®
The first finalist is NovoLabs, competing for the Best Spinout award with its revolutionary Supercritical UV® water treatment technology.
Developed from pioneering research at Massey University, their Supercritical UV system uses ultraviolet light to effectively eliminate harmful pathogens from liquids. This innovative solution markedly extends the range where UV can be used to disinfect pathogens in liquids and in some applications totally eliminates the need for chemical pre-treatment, thereby improving the sustainability of treatment systems.
NovoLabs' patented technology is already implemented across NZ with over 1.5billion litres of liquid treated in commercial applications and now has its sights set on expansion into international markets.
Recent accolades, including being the most awarded company at the 2024 NZ Hi-Tech Awards, underscore the significant impact of NovoLabs in transforming water treatment practices.
Above: NovoLabs Supercritical UV System
Best Licensing Deal Finalist
Keloid Scar Treatment
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The second finalist, recognised for the Best Licensing Deal, involves a collaboration between Massey Ventures, Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, and AFT Pharmaceuticals.
This partnership focuses on an innovative treatment for keloid scars which can arise from surgery or wounds and currently have no effective treatment. Keloids form as thickened scars that extend the boundaries of an injury and can often be itchy and painful.
Based on technology developed by Massey Ventures and Gillies McIndoe Research Institute and leveraging the drug-development expertise and global network of AFT Pharmaceuticals, this licensing deal represents opportunity to improve patient outcomes around the world.
Above: Bulky keloid forming at the site of abdominal surgery. Attribution: Htirgan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About the KCA Awards
The KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards celebrate excellence in research commercialisation, highlighting success stories that inspire further advancements and foster innovation across the region.
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"We are thrilled to be recognised as double finalists for these outstanding commercialisation outcomes," said Dr Dan Carlisle, Commercialisation Manager at Massey Ventures. "Our work with Novolabs and the keloid scar treatment exemplifies our commitment to transforming research into solutions that directly enhance public health and well-being."
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The winners of the KCA Awards will be announced at a ceremony on October 16th, at a gala dinner during the 2024 KCA Annual Conference in Queenstown.