Health & Med Tech

Mauri tū, mauri ora

A vibrant soul is a healthy soul

Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences is home to world-renowned researchers across disciplines ranging from drug development to medical technologies to healthy ageing.

Transdisciplinary research centres include Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukuku Centre for Cancer Research, Centre for Brain Research and the Auckland Bioengineering Institute. UniServices operates the Centre for Advanced MRI, which offers imaging for research and clinical purposes.

National or international networks headquartered at the University include the Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Pūtahi Manawa | Healthy Hearts for Aotearoa New Zealand, and the Global Vaccine Data Network.

UniServices-backed companies in this space include Alimetry, which makes a non-invasive tool to diagnose gut dysfunction; Opum Technologies, which integrates sensors with AI to analyse knee performance and movement; TamoRx, which aims to develop immunotherapy to help patients’ immune systems destroy cancer cells; and Toku Eyes, which uses retinal images and AI to screen for preventable blindness and cardiovascular disease risk.

Case Studies

Formus Labs: Better joint replacement planning

Formus Labs: Better joint replacement planning

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IMAC: Supporting vaccination in the Pacific

IMAC: Supporting vaccination in the Pacific

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All case studies

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Investment Portfolio

UniServices has helped launch more than 65 deep tech companies based on University research. Check out the start-ups we’ve invested in.

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Advancing Research

UniServices helps researchers in areas such as securing funding, connecting people, developing capacity and applying research commercially or for public good.

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Commercialising Research

At UniServices, we’ve invested in more than 65 companies and have licensed over 480 patent families. We could help you bring your research to market too.

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Public Health and Social Policy

Learn how UniServices works to advance and apply University research aimed at building a healthier, safer and more equitable society for all.

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News and Features

Researchers developing augmented reality game to help stroke patients recover

Researchers developing augmented reality game to help stroke patients recover

27 March 2023

The puzzle game strengthens the body, stimulates the brain and encourages social connection – and about all patients need is a smartphone and wooden blocks.

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University spinout aims to make microvascular surgery quicker and safer

University spinout aims to make microvascular surgery quicker and safer

21 March 2023

Avasa is an Auckland Bioengineering Institute spin-out working to make microvascular surgery quicker and safer by commercialising a tiny medical device.

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New spin-out aims to treat eye disease keratoconus non-invasively

New spin-out aims to treat eye disease keratoconus non-invasively

07 November 2022

TheiaNova is working to introduce a groundbreaking, non-invasive treatment for the eye disease keratoconus.

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Comprehensively assessing mental health needs in Pacific countries

Comprehensively assessing mental health needs in Pacific countries

08 September 2022

A new research project by New Zealand and Pacific partners aims to investigate mental health challenges in Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu as these countries navigate Covid-19 and the climate crisis.

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Greg O’Grady: From surgeon to CEO

Greg O’Grady: From surgeon to CEO

25 July 2022

Surgeon turned serial entrepreneur Greg O’Grady took a road less travelled, co-founding two biotechnology start-ups, Alimetry and The Insides Company.

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Developing better tuberculosis drugs

Developing better tuberculosis drugs

06 April 2022

Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland researchers have taken three new tuberculosis drugs to clinical trial – an amazing success rate.

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Research Advancement Contacts

Kelvin Keh

Director, Strategic Growth – Health

More about Kelvin

Kelvin has been with UniServices since 2008 and leads the health team initiatives. His background is in biotech. He lived and worked in Asia, North America and Europe before returning to New Zealand. Contact about: Pursuing public and private sector interests in health.

Hope Harding

Business Development Manager – Health Technologies

More about Hope

Hope has been with UniServices in various roles since completing her studies in 2016. She holds a BSc in Biomedical Science and a Master of Bioscience Enterprise. Contact about: Research on health technologies, including bioengineering, devices and digital applications.

Kerryn Kilkenny

Business Development Manager – Future Therapies

More about Kerryn

Kerryn has been a UniServices business development manager since 2018, joining from publisher SpringerNature, where she held commercial and product management roles in New Zealand, England and Australia. With an MSc in Pharmacology and Physiology, she has an interest in drug development. Contact about: Research in infectious diseases and neuroscience.

Lucy McDowell

Business Development Manager – Women’s Health

More about Lucy

Lucy is a UniServices business development manager with a focus on women’s health research. She is eager to assist with research development, partnerships and funding opportunities that deliver impact locally and globally. Her previous expertise has been in the surgical product industry. Contact about: Women’s health research.

Anisoara Nicol

Business Development Manager – Healthy Ageing

More about Ani

Anisoara is a business development manager focusing on health, particularly healthy ageing. She has a PhD in sleep-wake cycles and circadian rhythms. Contact about: Research and consulting in ageing, including older people’s health, vision, hearing, heart health, neurodegeneration and cancer.

Stacey Strang

Business Development Manager – Mental Health and Behaviour Change

More about Stacey

Stacey has been with UniServices since 2020 and is a business development manager with a focus on mental health and behaviour change. She previously worked as a health funder and has a Master of Public Health. Contact about: Research in mental health or behaviour change.

Investment & Commercialisation Contacts

Pau Medrano

Investment Director – Biotechnology

More about Pau

Pau is a mathematician and bioengineer by training, with a background in research and international business development. He manages the BioMedTech team, with a portfolio of 20+ companies, and is a manager of the University of Auckland Inventors' Fund. Contact about: investing in disruptive BioMed technologies.

Kimberlee Jordan

Senior Investment Manager – Pharma and Biotech

More about Kimberlee

Kimberlee has been with UniServices since 2019. She has a PhD in Kinesiology from Penn State and was a human movement scientist for eight years before pivoting to a career in biotechnology. Contact about: Investment in biotechnologies and pharmaceuticals.

Kent Lee

Senior Investment Manager – Med Tech

More about Kent

Kent joined UniServices in 2010 and focuses on investment in medical technologies. He has been a contracts manager and a business manager for health and medicine. He holds a degree in medical biochemistry and a master’s degree in entrepreneurship. Contact about: Investing in medical technologies.

Aran Sisley

Investment Manager – Biotech and Pharma

More about Aran

Aran is an investment manager for the University of Auckland Inventors’ Fund. He has previously worked as a commercialisation analyst, postdoctoral scientist, project manager and sculptor. He has a PhD in ocular lens physiology and a Master of Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship. Contact about: Commercialising or investing in biotech, pharmaceuticals, agritech.