Take Heart: Innovation in Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease costs the global economy more than $1 trillion each year, impacts 1.3 million Australians and is the leading cause of death globally, creating an urgent need for new solutions. If you have an interest in cardiovascular disease and how innovations are improving outcomes for patients around the world, this is a must-attend event!

Our November Spotlight will feature:

• A showcase of WA biotech and medtech companies who are turning breakthrough ideas into real-world impact and taking WA cardiovascular innovation to the world stage.

• A panel discussion with global cardiovascular clinical leaders – brought to you by Lubdub.AI. Moderated by co-founder Professor Girish Dwivedi.

• The night’s formal program will be followed by networking and refreshments, offering attendees the chance to connect with delegates, innovators, researchers, clinicians and industry leaders from Australia and around the world.

This event comes at a time of significant momentum for cardiovascular disease innovation.

The Western Australian commitment to addressing rheumatic heart disease (RHD) has seen $25 million committed from the FHRI Fund through its RHD Spotlight initiative, and attracted the World Congress on RHD to Perth 11-14 November.

At a national level, AUScelerate, Australia’s life sciences innovation accelerator, has been committed to addressing the burden of cardiovascular disease since 2020, unlocking over $220 million of investment into integrated research and translation through the inaugural Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) program, on behalf of the MRFF. The program established two new research centres (ACADI and ASHRA) and supercharged the translation of 80 new heart and diabetes products and solutions towards clinical and community impact. In 2024,

AUScelerate was selected to deliver a new $28.5 million investment for Drugs and Devices, injecting funding and support for Australian small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to accelerate development and commercialisation of promising drugs and medical devices into products that can reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease and complications of diabetes for patients, carers, families, and community. WA start-ups are well represented amongst the 17 portfolio companies, highlighting the depth and quality of innovations emerging from the state.

On World Heart Day in September 2026, AUScelerate announced the investment of $4.2 million into five Australian medtech companies – two of which are based here in WA. This adds to the TTRA investments into three WA companies developing therapeutics, announced in 2025.