Take Heart: Innovation in Cardiovascular Disease

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 research and translation through the MRFF-backed inaugural TTRA program. The current TTRA Drug and Device Accelerator (also funded through the MRFF) is investing into Australian companies developing novel innovations addressing the burden of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. WA start-ups are well represented amongst the awardees, highlighting the depth and quality of innovations emerging from our state. On World Heart Day last month AUScelerate announced the investment of $4.2 million into five homegrown medtech companies – two of which are based here in WA. This adds to the three investments into WA therapeutic companies announced in 2025.