Focus on Health

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s 2010 Focus on Health business development challenge was developed to help New Zealand companies and entrepreneurs maximise commercial opportunities in the US health market.

The 12 month competition was designed to stimulate new product development, innovation, commercialisation and collaboration within New Zealand’s healthcare industry. It gave participants the chance to connect to a network of influential health and business professionals in the US and New Zealand, including investors, partners and buyers.

From 104 entries received, 20 semi-finalists were selected to 'pitch' their products to an international panel of judges. Nine finalists were then selected to participate in a comprehensive six month ‘market readiness’ programme to help them prepare for the US market.

The programme included expert mentoring, a workshop with a US-based entrepreneur and angel investment expert, a range of professional services and a roadshow in the US in May 2010. There they met with potential business partners, investors and end users of their innovative health solutions including the likes of Kaiser Permanente and Harvard Medical School.

Entries in the programme were judged on the strength of their business plans and management teams, and whether their products or services had strong marketing potential in the US.

Winner of the Health Challenge

The winner of the Focus on Health Challenge was announced on 29 June 2010.

Read the official announcement on the beehive website.

Winner: Mesynthes Limited

A ready-to-use tissue substitute for wound care and soft tissue reconstruction developed by Lower Hutt based Mesynthes Ltd was the winner of the inaugural Focus on Health business development competition.

Mesynthes’ Endoform Infection Control is designed to be used where there is a high risk of post-operative infection at a surgical site, for structural repair during reconstructive plastic surgery and for the prevention and treatment of infection in chronic wounds. 

The international panel of judges for the Focus on Health Challenge considered that Mesynthes had the clearest vision and business strategy for growth in the US market, and the potential to deliver the highest reward.

Mesynthes received cash and in-kind prizes worth over $100,000.

Runners Up: Emendo and Matakina

Emendo’s CapPlan capacity and operational management software solution and Matakina’s Volpara Quantitative Breast Screening were both awarded runners up prizes and were commended by the judges for their strong presentation and business plan, established business model (Emendo) and strong leadership and advisory team (Matakina).

Emendo and Matakina each received over $50,000 of cash and in-kind prizes.

Judges Award

B2P Limited’s bacterial water and food testing technology won the special judge’s award for the product or service deemed the most innovative based on the uniqueness of the idea. The technology is considered to be an easy-to-use, low cost, portable solution to the huge US problem of food safety.

Partners and sponsors

A key element of the Focus on Health Challenge was the comprehensive network of sponsors, judges, potential partners, end-users and investors in New Zealand and the United States.

The panel of seven judges was comprised of international leaders in health and commercialisation. Five judges were based in the US.

The Challenge had the support of strategic partner, the Ministry of Health; major sponsors: the Health Research Council of New Zealand, Edwards Lifesciences, Microsoft, and Southern Cross Healthcare; and 30 other sponsors and partners including research, legal, consulting, recruitment, software, regulatory, and insurance, that together contributed more than $800,000 worth of cash and in-kind prizes.