Welcome to the Spring 2025 edition of The Current.
So much has happened since our last update, it’s been difficult to fit it all into one newsletter! Clinical trials with our devices in infants with hearing impairment, people with tinnitus, Alzheimer’s, Crohn’s and Parkinson’s disease continue to progress well, and we have reached major milestones in our early-stage and established research programs. You can find out more in the next few pages, where our lead researchers summarise their recent achievements.
In March, we launched the Vagus Nerve Stimulation Centre of Excellence at our Preview Event, officially opened by the Victorian Minister for Health, The Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas. This exciting initiative will enable our researchers to investigate the viability of a unique method of vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for a wide range of conditions including gastrointestinal disorders, neurological disorders, mental health conditions, and even cancer.
In April, the Institute was delighted to receive the news that Epiminder’s Minder® device for epilepsy, pioneered by world-renowned neurologist Professor Mark Cook and Bionics Institute engineers, had gained FDA approval. This is an incredible testament to the commitment of a dedicated team of people, and we are all extremely proud that the
technology was originally developed here at the Bionics Institute.
In this edition, I’m very proud to describe a PhD Scholarship set up in partnership with my siblings to support a truly amazing young researcher named in honour of our parents. It really is a wonderful way to support the career of a promising researcher, and I hope that you may be willing to consider similar types of support.
If you would like to find out more about supporting the Bionics Institute, I encourage you get in touch and arrange to come for a tour – it’s fascinating!
As always thank you for your invaluable support, and I look forward to seeing you in our labs or at an event very soon.
Best wishes,