Wellumio is transforming stroke care with portable brain scans to rapidly detect acute stroke that cuts diagnosis time and unlocks treatment in the ‘golden hour’ when every second counts WELLINGTON, New Zealand, September 16, 2025 - Wellumio, a New Zealand-based medical technology company pioneering the future of stroke diagnostics with its portable neuroimaging device, Axana®, for rapid, point-of-care detection of stroke, is seeking investors to accelerate its breakthrough solution. Currently, less than 5% of stroke patients receive treatment within the critical 'golden hour' when the chance of disability free survival is highest – and access to fast, accurate diagnosis tools can significantly improve diagnosis, treatment and outcomes. Wellumio’s Axana scanner brings advanced neuroimaging to the patient’s bedside to detect acute stroke biomarkers - reducing diagnosis time by over 90% and providing critical insights into the severity and extent of stroke-related damage. Wellumio’s Snowball Effect crowdfunding equity investment campaign launched today to give an opportunity to invest alongside existing shareholders including Nuance Capital, Movac, Icehouse Ventures, Cure Kids Ventures, NZ Growth Capital Partners (NZGCP)’s Aspire Seed Fund, Outset Ventures and Booster Innovation Fund.

Wellington company Wellumio is a finalist in this year's KiwiNet Awards which celebrate the union of scientific research with commercial opportunity. Wellumio has created a portable device that can detect strokes at the first point of care e.g. in an ambulance. With an estimated 9500 New Zealanders suffering a stroke every year and tens of millions worldwide, it has the potential to not only improve patient outcomes but to save billions in healthcare costs globally. The first human clinical trial of the device is currently being run at The Royal Melbourne Hospital. Co-founder, Dr. Shieak Tzeng explains to Susie how it works and when they hope to get it to market.

A new approach to orthotics and bone scaffolds could mean devices that fit your body, lifestyle, and healing needs – designed down to the smallest detail – is being led by Auckland of University senior lecturer in engineering science and biomedical engineering, Dr Maedeh Amirpour. Dr Amirpour is working to develop personalised supports using biocompatible 3D-printed frameworks combined with body-safe gels.