Good Clinical – Details, episodes & analysis

In this weeks episode I sit down with A/Prof Rodger Tiedemann, a Consultant Haematologist, A/Prof of Medicine, Researcher, and advocate for medicines access and clinical trials in New Zealand.

We begin by chatting about Rodgers involvement in multiple myeloma research and the treatment landscape, and how targeted therapies have improved survival rates for this type of cancer.

We then centre the discussion on the challenges facing New Zealand's healthcare system, particularly in terms of access to modern medicines and clinical trials.

New Zealand's funding for medicines is significantly lower compared to other countries with comparative GDPs, and we have a large 10 year deficit in access to new cancer treatments for Kiwi patients.

For example, we rank 30th in GDP per capita from 218 countries. By this measure of national income, we fall between Germany and the UK, and ahead of France, Italy and Japan. However, while those countries each reimbursed 119-165 new medicines between 2016-2021, New Zealand reimbursed only 17... This lack of access also impacts clinical trial availability, as trials often require patients to have already received standard-of-care treatments, which may not even be funded yet in New Zealand. Consequently, pharmaceutical companies are less inclined to bring clinical trials to NZ, further limiting options for our patients. So what needs to be done to fix this?

 A significant frameshift in drug funding is critical for NZ. The valuation and budgeting of healthcare, increased funding for medicines, and the understanding of how this would benefit the NZ economy due to second- and third-order effects of new medicines (I.e., lower healthcare spending, faster time returning to work etc.). This would not only improve patient outcomes but also attract more clinical trials, which could also bring economic benefit.

You can find out more about A/Prof Rodger Tiedemann here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodger-tiedemann-a2306580/ 

 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐊𝐄𝐘𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒:- cancer treatment, blood cancers, multiple myeloma, immunotherapy, medicine access, New Zealand healthcare, clinical trials, haematology, cancer research

Good Clinical has teamed up with Te Titoki Mataora, the MedTech Research Translator, to bring you the Te Titoki Mataora Podcast Series.

In this episode meet Professor John Windsor, a Consultant Surgeon, Professor of Surgery, and Director of the Surgical & Translational Research Centre at The University of Auckland. Our conversation focuses on the development of the Limpet drainage device at AperCure Surgical, a research-focused company aiming to commercialise radiological and surgical drain devices.

The Limpet device has been designed to overcome the problems that stem from the discomfort and risks that patients face when standard percutaneous drains are used post-surgery. Typically, these drains, secured with stitches to prevent dislodgement, cause discomfort and pain, and if they come loose, it requires another procedure to reinsert them.

The Limpet device aims to offer a more secure and comfortable alternative to traditional post-surgical drainage methods. We talk about how the device uses flexible materials that conform to the body, making it easier for patients to lie on and reducing discomfort during recovery.

A key innovation is that the device also protects the drain's path, minimising the risk of snagging, kinking, or compression, which can lead to further complications. The product also focuses on making it easier to care for the wound site, thus reducing the risk of infections and improving the overall patient experience during recovery.

You can find out more about Professor John Windsor here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-a-windsor-013b9725/

Podcast Takeaways:

1. Prof John Windsor has had an extensive career in medicine, surgical practice, academics, and Med Tech. His experience has driven him to focus on improving patient care, particularly addressing issues with surgical procedures and post-operative recovery. He discusses his transition into the field of medical innovation, where his interest in solving real-world clinical problems led to the development of medical devices aimed at improving patient outcomes.
2. We talk about how certain unmet clinical needs, particularly in surgical drainage, prompted the development of the Limpet device. Surgeons noticed the discomfort and complications caused by traditional drainage methods, which led to research and innovation aimed at improving patient care. The Limpet device is undergoing trials in volunteers to ensure that it meets the standards required for later-phase trials and routine clinical use.
3. We chat about the importance of collaboration between surgeons and engineers in the development of medical devices. Surgeons bring practical, real-world clinical knowledge, while engineers provide the technical expertise to design solutions that address the specific challenges faced by patients and healthcare providers.
4. We also discuss the evolution of surgery from open procedures to minimally invasive techniques like laparoscopy. Laparoscopic surgery allows for smaller incisions, faster recovery times, and reduced risks of infection, marking a significant shift in surgical practices.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:49 The Journey from Surgery to Research
06:10 The Evolution of Surgical Techniques
08:54 Translational Research and Clinical Observations
12:00 Innovative Approaches to Organ Failure
14:50 Developing the AperCure Limpet Device
26:33 Clinical Trials and Product Development
31:35 Business Considerations in MedTech
37:11 Future Directions and Advice for Innovators

medtech, surgical research, translational research, innovation, clinical trials, organ failure, bioengineering, medical devices, entrepreneurship, healthcare, surgery, surgical care

Good Clinical has teamed up with Te Titoki Mataora, the MedTech Research Translator, to bring you the Te Titoki Mataora Podcast Series.

In this episode, Dr. Grace Walker, Co-founder and Chief Regulatory Officer at Tautoko Technology discusses her work in developing a patch insulin pump with wraparound support and education software to improve diabetes management.

One of Tautoko Technology's main goals is ensuring their device is accessible to all, so that it gets into the hands of those that need it most.

You can find out more about Dr. Grace Walker and Tautoko Technology here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracewalkernz/
Tautoko Technology - LinkedIn
Dr Grace Walker - LinkedIn

Podcast Takeaways:

1. Tautoko Tech is developing a patch insulin pump with support software to improve diabetes management.
2. The company aims to make the device more accessible by offering the pump for free and charging for the consumables.
3. Rural communities face challenges in accessing healthcare, and Tautoko Tech's solution aims to bridge the gap.
4. The team is driven by the desire to make a difference and improve the lives of people with diabetes.
5. Tautoko Techs plans to raise the funds required to bring their MVP to market.
6. They are working on getting regulatory pre-submission ready and filing a patent for their next version, and then will proceed with hotel trials and clinical trials.

Chapters:
00:00 Introducing Grace Walker and Tautoko Technology
01:05 The Problem Tautoko Tech is Solving
03:50 Dr. Grace Walker's Journey and Passion
06:58 The Impact of Diabetes on Rural Communities
13:15 Making Diabetes Care More Accessible
18:45 Discussing the Tautoko Tech Team
20:17 Current Project and Future Plans
22:08 Navigating the Regulatory Pathway 
26:50 Considering Biocompatibility and User Experience
29:03 Accuracy and Claims
34:58 Plans for Pitching and Funding
39:10 Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Good Clinical has teamed up with Te Titoki Mataora, the MedTech Research Translator, to bring you the Te Titoki Mataora Podcast Series.

In this episode, Professor Grant Searchfield, Head of Audiology at The University of Auckland and Founder and Scientific Director of TrueSilence Therapeutics, discusses the development of a non-invasive polytherapeutic method for the treatment of Tinnitus. The method combines sound therapy, perceptual training, and psychological interventions alongside the support of machine learning to provide a personalised multifaceted approach to helping individuals with Tinnitus.

You can find out more about Prof Searchfield and TrueSilence Therapeutics here: Professor Grant Searchfield - LinkedIn
True Silence Therapeutics

Podcast Takeaways:

1. Tinnitus is a common complaint affecting millions of people worldwide.
2. 2. Current treatments for tinnitus have been limited in their effectiveness.
3. 3. Tinnitus is a network problem, involving multiple parts of the auditory system and brain.
4. 4. Personalised and tailored treatments are important for addressing individual differences in tinnitus.
5. 5. The use of biosensors and artificial intelligence shows promise in optimising treatment outcomes.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:12 Understanding Tinnitus as a Network Problem
05:04 Exploring Treatment Approaches for Tinnitus
09:43 The Importance of Personalized and Tailored Treatments for Tinnitus
13:33 The Potential of Biosensors and Artificial Intelligence in Tinnitus Treatment

𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐊𝐄𝐘𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐒:
tinnitus, treatment, non-invasive, auditory system, brain, sound therapy, perceptual training, psychological interventions, personalised treatment, biosensors, artificial intelligence

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Good Clinical has teamed up with Te Titoki Mataora, the MedTech Research Translator, to bring you the Te Titoki Mataora Podcast Series.

In this epsiode, Dr. Xuxu Amoozegar-Montero, founder of Uuna, discusses the problems with traditional bras and the innovative solution her company is developing. Uuna uses 3D scanning and knitting technology to create custom-fit bras that address issues of comfort, sizing inconsistency, and sustainability. The company is initially targeting the post-surgery market and plans to expand to a general market in the future.

Dr. Amoozegar-Montero emphasizes the importance of understanding and working with the end user, networking, and perseverance in entrepreneurship.

Podcast Takeaways: 

1. Traditional bras have numerous problems, including discomfort, inconsistent sizing, and unsustainable manufacturing.
2. Uuna Studio uses 3D scanning and knitting technology to create custom-fit bras that address these issues.
3. The company is initially targeting the post-surgery market and plans to expand to a general market in the future.
4. Understanding and working with the end user, networking, and perseverance are key in entrepreneurship.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
03:00 Introducing Oona Studio
06:00 The Inspiration for Custom-Fit Bras
09:00 The Solution: 3D Scanning and Knitting
12:00 Targeting the Post-Surgery Market
14:30 The Role of KiwiNet and Te Tukimata Ora
19:00 Expanding Skillset and Thinking Long-Term
23:00 The Future of Oona Studio
30:00 Advice for Entrepreneurs
33:00 Where to Find More Information

Keywords
bras, 3D scanning, 3D knitting, custom-fit, sizing, comfort, sustainability, post-surgery market, general market, networking, perseverance

Good Clinical has teamed up with Te Titoki Mataora, the MedTech Research Translator, to bring you the Te Titoki Mataora Podcast Series.

In this epsiode, Dr. Vickie Shim, a Senior Research Fellow at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, discusses her work in neuromechanics and its application to injury and degenerative diseases, specifically mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). She explains that neuromechanics focuses on how brain tissue responds to external mechanical stimuli, such as impacts, and the potential damage that can occur.

Dr. Shim's research involves studying the brains of high school rugby players throughout a season to track brain changes and correlate them with head impacts. The goal is to develop an AI-based tool that can predict recovery trajectories and inform personalized treatment plans for individuals with TBI.

Podcast Takeaways: 

1. Neuromechanics focuses on how brain tissue responds to external mechanical stimuli, such as impacts.
2. Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common form of TBI, with about 80% of all TBIs falling into the mild range.
3. Repetitive head impacts, such as those experienced in contact sports or by combat soldiers, can lead to long-term brain degenerative changes and increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
4. Dr. Shim's research involves studying the brains of high school rugby players to track brain changes over a season and correlate them with head impacts.
5. The goal is to develop an AI-based tool that can predict recovery trajectories and inform personalized treatment plans for individuals with TBI.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Neuromechanics and Dr. Vickie Shim's Research
01:22 Understanding Brain Tissue Response to Mechanical Impact
06:22 The Prevalence and Impact of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
10:06 Tracking Brain Changes in High School Rugby Players
19:04 Developing an AI-Based Tool for Predicting Recovery Trajectories 2
6:40 Personalized Treatment Plans for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Today’s guest is Dr Maddie White, Translational Scientist and Strategic Partnerships Manager at the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute in Wellington, New Zealand.

This episode is brought to you by SAPRO Consulting.

Dr. Maddie White, a translational scientist and strategic partnerships manager at Gillies-McIndoe Institute, discusses the role of translational scientists in moving research from the lab to real-world impact. She emphasizes the importance of translating academic ideas into commercially viable products or services.

Dr. White shares her personal journey into translational science and highlights the need for more awareness and education about career opportunities in this field. She also discusses a specific project she is involved in, developing a topical cream for the treatment of vascular birthmarks in infants.

Dr. White emphasizes the need for talent, infrastructure, and funding to drive the success of translational science in New Zealand.

You can find out more about Dr White and The Gillies McIndoe Research Institute here:
LinkedIn - Maddie White
Website - Gillies McIndoe Research Institute

Podcast Takeaways:

1. Academic ideas need to be translated into commercially viable products or services to have a meaningful impact.
2. A "translational scientist" is someone who takes scientific ideas from the lab and translates them into real-world products or services.
3. Translational scientists play a crucial role in moving research from the lab to real-world impact.
4. There is a need for more awareness and education about career opportunities in translational science.
5. Talent, infrastructure, and funding are essential for the success of translational science.
6.  Partnerships between academia and industry are key in driving the translation of research into practical applications.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Translational Science
01:00 Translating Academic Ideas into Real-World Impact
08:04 Overcoming Stigma and Misconceptions
13:18 The Importance of Money in Translational Science
19:49 Creating Collaborative Networks for Impactful Research
23:58 Developing a Topical Cream for Vascular Birthmarks
26:21 Partnerships for Bringing Research to Market

Keywords:
Translational science, research, lab, real-world impact, commercialization, academic, funding, talent, infrastructure, money, partnerships, topical cream, vascular birthmarks 

Good Clinical has teamed up with Te Titoki Mataora, the MedTech Research Translator, to bring you the Te Titoki Mataora Podcast Series.

Today’s guest is Dr Victor Dieriks, the Head of the Apha Synuclein Lab at the Centre for Brain Research at the University of Auckland. Dr Dieriks studies the role of alpha synuclein in the development of Parkinson's Disease and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is currently the fastest-growing chronic neurological disorder globally. An estimated 12 million people are living with PD, with around 12,000 of those residing in New Zealand.

Unfortunately, no treatments presently target the underlying mechanisms of PD, and clinical studies aimed at discovering disease-modifying medications are limited. This means that a truly effective, curative treatment remains years away. However, numerous interventions are available today that can significantly improve the quality of life for those with PD.

Dr Victor Dieriks has two active projects with Te Titoki Matora, MedTech Research Translator

1. Project #1: Developing a more New Zealand-centric approach to the management and treatment of Parkinson's disease. Dr Dieriks emphasizes the importance of actively involving patients and understanding their priorities, rather than solely relying on the perspectives of healthcare professionals and researchers.Patients1 with PD often express their desire for improved dignity and quality of life, rather than just a focus on a cure or restoring mobility.
2. Project #2: involves the use of tears (eye fluid) as a potential biofluid source for detecting Parkinson's disease biomarkes. Tears are a relatively pure and stable biological fluid, making them a promising target for developing a non-invasive diagnostic test that can be easily obtained. A core aspect of this project is reducing the burden on the healthcare system, particularly the long wait times to see a neurologist for diagnosis. By developing a simple, tear-based test, patients can potentially bypass the need for more invasive procedures and receive earlier prognosis and treatment.

Podcast Takeaways:

1. Parkinson's disease is not a single disease, but rather a collection of diseases with multiple causes
2. The normal function of alpha-synuclein is not fully understood, but it is known to play a role in neuronal communication and potentially in the gut and microbiome
3. Current treatments for Parkinson's, like levodopa and deep brain stimulation, only address the symptoms and cannot stop the underlying disease progression
4. A major challenge is that current therapies are tested too late, only after 70% of the relevant neurons have already died.
5. Early detection is key, and recent breakthroughs have shown that alpha-synuclein clumps can be detected in spinal fluid or even potentially in less invasive samples like skin or nasal swabs, years before symptom onset
6. While genetic risk factors can be screened for, they only account for a small percentage of Parkinson's cases. Other risk factors include environmental exposures like metals, pesticides, and viral/bacterial infections that cause inflammation
7. In the absence of a cure, lifestyle interventions like exercise, healthy eating, and moderate coffee consumption can help delay the onset and progression of Parkinson's. Exercise, in particular, has been shown to have neuroprotective effects mediated by the hormone irisin.
8. The gut-brain axis is also implicated in Parkinson's, with constipation and other gut symptoms often preceding the motor symptoms.

Chapters
0:00 Introduction
01:10 "Parkinson's Disease" is a misnomer
02:50 Dieriks Lab Focus
06:00 Peculiarities of Neurodegenerative Diseases
09:00 Role of alpha synuclein
14:00 Treatment's available for Parkinson's Disease
19:00 Risk factors for Parkinson's Disease
24:00 Alternative sampling methods for determining risk of
PD 27:20 Interventions for slowing development
31:00 Coffee
32:12 Gut-brain Axis
35:25 New Zealand-centric approach to management and treatment of PD 39:00 Importance of having all stakeholders engaged
44:30 Tears can predict risk of Parkinson's Disease?

Keywords: Parkinson's Disease, TTM, Te Titoki Mataora, biomedical science, research, research translation, medtech, medical technologies, university research, intellectual property, commercialization.

Early Detection of Parkinson's Diseases | Dr Victor Dieriks | TTM Ep02

Today’s guest is Dr Haruna Suzuki-Kerr, Research Fellow at the University of Auckland in the Auditory & Vestibular Translational Neuroscience Cluster.

This episode is part of the Te Titoki Mataora Podcast Series, in collaboration with Te Titoki Mataora, the MedTech Research Translator.

Hearing loss is a common problem, in fact 1 in 6 people experience some form of hearing loss. Broadly speaking, hearing loss can be broken down into conductive hearing loss - think glue ear or damage to the ear drum - or sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). SNHL is the most common type of hearing loss, and is caused by a pathology of the cochlea, auditory nerve, or central nervous system.

The problem - the inner ear apparatus is embedded deep within the skull, is very small, and thus is very difficult to study.

Enter Dr Haruna Suzuki-Kerr. Haruna and her team, with seed funding fro m Te Titoki Mataori, are developing a novel, non-invasive, light-based, medical technology and device for the investigation of the 1) structure and 2) chemistry of the inner ear.

To date Haruna and her team have assembled a multi-disciplinary team to inform the design of their medical device and increase the likelihood of commercial success. The initial proof of concept will be tested in sheep tissue, before moving into live sheep model, and then into man!

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:00 The Different Types of Hearing Loss
04:50 Architecture of the Inner Ear
07:00 Studying Sensorineural Hearing Loss
11:00 Haruna's previous research experience and Holy Grail of this project
14:30 Inception of the Idea and Design
18:00 Why use light-based techniques?
22:30 Current Status of the Project
28:00 Commercialization Journey and TTM support
36:00 Next Steps for the Project and the ultimate goal

Keywords: hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, medical device, TTM, Te Titoki Mataora, biomedical science, research, research translation, medtech, medical technologies, university research, intellectual property, commercialization.

Using Light to Elucidate the Secrets of the Inner Ear | Dr Haruna Suzuki-Kerr | TTM Ep02

Good Clinical has teamed up with Te Titoki Mataora, the MedTech Research Translator, to bring you the Te Titoki Mataora Podcast Series. 

Te Titoki Mataora (TTM) is a New Zealand-based organization focused on translating basic science into real outcomes in healthcare.

Here to provide an background to Te Titoki Mataora, the current framework to support research translation and some forward thinking perspectives is Distinguished Professor Sir Peter Hunter. 

After identifying a need to translate basic science into real outcomes in healthcare Sir Peter Hunter and Di Siew founded the Consortium for Medical Device Technologies (CMDT). Over years this resulted in the spin out of a number of companies, as well as a bid for a MedTech Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE), and more recently Te Titoki Mataora, the MedTech Research Translator. 

Te Titoki Mataora aims to develop a New Zealand-wide approach to medical technology translation by collaborating with universities, Callaghan Innovation, and the healthcare system. Supported by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the University of Auckland, the organization provides funding and support through programs like the Research Acceleration Program (RAP) to help researchers and spin-out companies progress from ideation to commercialization. TTM has already funded 69 projects and aims to create more high-paying jobs and successful medtech companies in New Zealand.

In Sir Peter's Words, "I don't see any reason why we can't be creating, over the next 10 years, another ten Fisher and Paykel Heathcares". 

Keywords
Te Titoki Mataora, TTM, Consortium for Medical Device Technologies, CMDT, medical technology, translation, New Zealand, research acceleration program, RAP, spin-out companies, funding, high-paying jobs, medtech ecosystem

Sound Bites
"Te Taitoki Mataora is focused on translating basic science into real outcomes in healthcare."
"TTM aims to create more high-paying jobs and successful medtech companies in New Zealand."
"The Research Acceleration Program (RAP) provides funding and support for researchers and spin-out companies."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background of Te Titoki Mataora (TTM)
03:46 Collaboration for Medical Technology Translation
09:06 The Research Acceleration Program (RAP)
12:15 Future Aspirations for TTM