A gastroenterologist approached RMIT about a solution to make breath tests more accurate for diagnosing gastrointestinal disorders. This led to the concept of an ingestible capsule for sensing gases in the gut.
History
The Atmo Gas Capsule was invented at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, under the leadership of Professor Kourosh Kalantar-zadeh, together with Mr Nam Ha, Dr Kyle Berean, Dr Adam Chrimes and Dr Jian Zhen Ou, and is the result of eight years of research and development.
In 2018, Atmo Biosciences signed a licencing deal with RMIT securing the exclusive worldwide rights to commercialize the capsule. The capsule inventors are continuing to lead research and development at Atmo, in partnership with Planet Innovation.
2010
2011
First lab prototypes made and tested at RMIT with the support of a seed grant from the RMIT School of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
2012
RMIT selected in a Department of Agriculture project to develop membranes to detect gas in livestock. Membranes developed at RMIT and first animal tests completed in sheep and cows.
2013
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Development Grant awarded to RMIT for making and testing the human gas sensing capsules.
Gastroenterology experts Professor Peter Gibson and Dr Jane Muir from Monash University join the team.
2013-2015
Large scale animal trials on pigs successfully conducted in collaboration with Monash University and the University of Melbourne.
2016
Accelerating Commercialization grant awarded to RMIT by the Australian Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, with Planet Innovation named as the commercial partner.
Capsule chosen as a finalist in the International AMA Association for Sensor and Measurement – AMA Innovation Award.
2016-2017
Australian Phase I human trial successfully completed on 23 volunteers with results revealing the capsule to be 3,000 times more accurate than breath tests in detecting gas biomarkers.
2017
Atmo Biosciences, with the financial support from Planet Innovation, established to commercialize the capsule.
Atmo Biosciences chosen as an inaugural member of the ANDHealth+ digital health commercialization program.
2018
Atmo Biosciences finalizes licencing deal with RMIT, securing the exclusive worldwide rights to commercialize the capsule. The capsule inventors continue to lead research and development at Atmo, with Planet Innovation’s Commercial Director Mal Hebblewhite taking on the role of CEO.
Research team awarded an NHMRC Development Grant to undertake further research and clinical trials.
Atmo wins Victorian Quickfire Challenge: Driving Device Innovation run by Johnson & Johnson Innovations and the Victorian Government.
2019
The second generation gas sensing capsule begins production at Planet Innovation’s ISO 13485 certified facility in Melbourne, Australia.
Human trial starts at Monash University and the Alfred Hospital investigating the Atmo Gas Capsule’s accuracy in measuring gut motility and transit time, and comparing with other methods. The capsule is also included in another trial with IBS patients.
Former Cochlear CEO Dr. Chris Roberts AO joins the Atmo Board as a Non-Executive Director and accomplished corporate business development and venture professional Nick Peace is appointed as Chairman.
2020
The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) includes a reference to the Atmo Gas Capsule in its clinical guidelines for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) as a new diagnostic technique in development.
Atmo Biosciences raises A$2.5 million in an oversubscribed funding round to support continued product development, manufacture and pilot clinical trials.
The Australian Government awards Atmo a A$620,000 grant through the BioMedTech Horizons (BMTH) program to demonstrate the commercial application of the Atmo platform in identifying IBS subtypes and diagnosing SIBO.
The third generation Atmo Gas Capsule, with improved performance and manufacturability, begins manufacture.