Australians with lung conditions will be able to access the world’s first and only dedicated lung scanner, which was developed and built in Australia, at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney.
Funded through the Morrison Government’s landmark Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), the XV Scanner uses an automated scanning process to produce detailed lung function information in real time.
The XV Scanner will change lives, bringing new hope and help for people living with lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis and asthma. It will detect disease earlier and more accurately monitor chronic respiratory conditions.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the Government has provided $28.9 million through the MRFF Frontier Health and Medical Research Initiative to develop and commercialise the scanner.
“Every Australian should be proud of this ground-breaking Australian-made medical technology platform,” Minister Hunt said.
“The development of the XV Scanner is a wonderful example of Australia again punching above its weight in the world of health and medical research.
“Our Government continues to provide unprecedented support to health and medical research, as we back our best and brightest researchers to transform today’s ideas into breakthrough treatments for the patients of tomorrow.”
The XV Scanner will be used by researchers and clinicians from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the Sydney Children’s Hospital, including eminent lung health expert Professor Adam Jaffe, who is currently the John Beveridge Professor of Paediatrics at UNSW.
Developed by global medical technology company 4DMedical, the XV Scanner was unveiled at the Prince of Wales Hospital today.
Chief Executive Officer of 4DMedical, Dr Andreas Fouras, described its development as a “transformative moment in lung health history”. He said the XV Scanner would not have been possible without the MRFF investment.
The $20 billion MRFF is a long-term, sustainable investment in Australian health and medical research, helping to improve lives, build the economy and contribute to the sustainability of the health system, which ensures a guaranteed funding stream to support Australia’s best and brightest health researchers.
Further information about the MRFF is available at www.health.gov.au/mrff.