UQ Venom becomes an inspiration for healthcare in Japan

University of Queensland has found that blood-clotting proteins in Australian snake venom have been translated into a pathology product in Japan.

Medical device company Terumo Corporation led UQ startup company Q sera for rapid serum blood collection technology, and has incorporated it into a tube called VenoJect II RAPClot in January.

Commercialisation company of UQ was founded by Q sera in 2012 and conducted its research at the Australian Institute of Bioengineering Nanotechnology.

Emeritus Professor Martin Lavin, the late Dr. Paul Masci, Emeritus Professor John de Jersay, Dr. Goce Dimeski, Dr. Julie Philips, and Dr. Kong-Nan Zhao, who identified a new pathology collection tube with venom-protein for snakes, including the coastal taipan, which is capable of clotting blood quickly and reliably.

High-quality serum used in a pathology lab for testing purpose which is essential for clotted blood. Blood that is not clotted can effectively lead to an inaccurate diagnosis and will lead to treatment delay.

Michael Grant, CEO of Q-Sera, said that blood collection tube technology would have a good impact on the healthcare system in Japan.

Terumo Corporation has launched patented technology in the Japanese market, with a history of innovation in blood collection, and is looking forward for next generation tube technology beneficial for the healthcare system.

Melbourne-based Q-Sera developed a clotting agent recombinant ecarin (RAPClot). Terumo Corporation now uses RAPClot in its VenoJect RAPClot blood collection tube.

Dr Dean Moss, CEO of Uniquest, said, Launch commitment for long term research for converting science into products that help people.

Japan has a vision for long-term investment in university innovation, which has a global impact and is backed by investment from the UniQuest Extension Fund.

Wataru Ninokura Terumo, Director of essential medical products, said it was a pleasure to be part of contributing to improving the accuracy of diagnosis toward the healthcare system in Japan.

Ninokura said RAPClot tubes are a true innovation in blood collection, which has the capability to improve coagulation time, heparinised blood, and fibrin strand test with serum.

Q-Sera is a lead active protein and supported by investment from the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund handled by Uniseed, Brandon Capital Partners, and the UEF.

Terumo has the right to technology, while Q-Sera is actively working to secure the market area.