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.
2016-2017
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.
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.
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.
2021
The Victorian Government awards Atmo a A$50,000 grant through Technology Adoption and Innovation Program (TAIP), to support software development of the Atmo platform.
Atmo raises A$9.56 million in oversubscribed funding round to accelerate product development of the gas-sensing capsule. The raise was led by two cornerstone investors – Sydney-based investment firm Alium Capital Management and Japanese multinational company Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
2022
Atmo strengthens executive leadership team and Board of Directors. Kate Hill appointed to the Atmo Biosciences Board as a Non-Executive Director. Dr Carl Runde joins Atmo as Chief Financial Officer, and Sue Dafnias appointed as Head of Commercial.
Atmo appoints a Medical Advisory Board (MAB), comprising world-renowned gastroenterologists. Professor Peter Gibson (Monash University and Alfred Health) is appointed as Chair of the MAB. Atmo also welcomed the following esteemed MAB members: Professor Lin Chang (University of California); Professor William D. Chey (University of Michigan); Dr. Braden Kuo (Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School); Professor Anthony Lembo (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School); and Professor Satish Rao (Augusta University).
The Australian Government awards Atmo an additional A$343,000 grant through BioMedTech Horizons (BMTH) program to further support SIBO clinical trial.
Over 500 Atmo Gas Capsules administered to-date in global clinical trials.
Atmo and RMIT University granted US patent for ingestible gas sensor capsule by United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Positive Atmo Capsule clinical trial results published in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics demonstrating strong agreement between data from Atmo’s world-first ingestible gas-sensing capsule and a validated, FDA-cleared Wireless Motility Capsule (WMC), in determining transit metrics in healthy subjects.
Atmo and RMIT University granted patents for ingestible gas sensor capsule by European Patent Office and IP Australia, providing coverage until 2037.
Atmo successfully completes ISO 13485:2016 audit.
2023
Atmo raises A$8 million in fully subscribed funding round to support forthcoming multi-site pivotal study and help progress Atmo’s broader clinical portfolio. The raise was led by Japanese multinational company Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, an existing strategic shareholder.