August 26, 2024

World-first radiation dosimetry tool MOSkin receives further $1m in funding

UOW invention being brought to market by Electrogenics Laboratories Ltd

A groundbreaking invention that will improve radiation treatments for cancer patients is receiving $1 million in grant funding from the Australian Government to support its path towards commercialisation.

MOSkin^TM is the world’s most advanced and cost-effective medical radiation sensor technology. It was one of the first five grant recipients of the Industry Growth Program through the Commercialisation and Growth stream, designed to help small and medium businesses scale up.

Developed by researchers at the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, led by Distinguished Professor Anatoly Rozenfeld, MOSkin^TM is a unique and inexpensive dosimetry tool that measures the amount of radiation received by a patient during radiotherapy treatments.

Similar to a sticker or label, MOSkin^TM is a small, adhesive panel, that, when placed on the skin at the site of radiotherapy treatment, can accurately measure the amount of radiation the skin receives and hence reduce the potential for unwanted side effects, such as skin burns and damage to surrounding tissues.

It can also be used as a radiation measurement device for monitoring angiograms and diagnostic radiology scans.

MOSkin^TM is being brought to market through a partnership with Electrogenics Laboratories Ltd, who are manufacturing and hold the global licence to the device.

The $1 million grant from the Industry Growth Program will help MOSkin^TM, under the guidance of Electrogenics Laboratories Ltd, take the leap from prototyping to become ready for market.

Geoff Neilson, CEO of Electrogenics Laboratories Ltd, said the grant will help the company to prepare MOSkin^TM for international regulatory submissions and global markets.

“We are honoured to receive this significant support from the Industry Growth Program,” Mr Neilson said.

“This grant will enable us to advance our MOSkin^TM technology, ensuring safer and more effective radiotherapy treatments for patients and easier, faster results for clinicians. We are committed to leveraging this opportunity to bring MOSkin^TM to market and contribute to the future of Australian medtech innovation.”

Radiation is widely used for procedures such as angiograms and diagnostic radiology scans while radiotherapy is part of the treatment plan for up to 50 per cent of all cancer patients. These procedures currently rely on techniques that offer limited accuracy and reliability to measure specific radiation doses in patients.

Professor Rozenfeld (pictured above) has been developing MOSkin^TM with his team for many years and said it is rewarding to know that the device will provide confidence in radiotherapy treatment and better outcomes for quality of life for patients.

“More than 50 per cent of patients who receive a cancer diagnosis will be treated with radiotherapy, and yet until this device was developed, there was no accurate way to measure skin dosage at the site of treatment and provide clinical data during or immediately after treatment.

“This device not only assures more accurate dosimetry, it helps limit damage to the skin, the body’s largest critical organ.

“Both my parents passed away from cancer and finding the best treatment or improved treatment is my important role in society. Also, to simply help people to live longer and enjoy life even with cancer.”

Both Professor Rozenfeld and Mr Neilson acknowledged the strong, productive relationship between UOW and Electrogenics Laboratories Ltd, which has been instrumental in the research and development of their innovative technologies.

“MOSkin^TM is the result of years of hard work and innovation, from researchers and our industry partner. Products like this are not developed overnight. It takes a long time to get it right. This Industry Growth Program grant is valuable support at a critical time in MOSkin’s development,” Professor Rozenfeld said.

“Our partnership with UOW has provided us with invaluable expertise and resources, significantly accelerating our progress,” Mr Neilson said. “We look forward to continuing this fruitful collaboration as we move forward.”

UOW is committed to addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which provide a shared blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for everyone. These projects address Goal 3, Good Health and Wellbeing; and Goal 9, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.