Why Japanese pharma giant Rohto tipped US$6 million into an Australian medtech startup featuring Australis Scientific
Sydney-based Australis Scientific has secured an initial US$6 million investment from the Osaka-headquartered company to accelerate clinical trials of its Confidanz Smart Patch, a discreet, band-aid-sized device that uses gentle electrical pulses to calm the bladder and reduce symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary incontinence.
The partnership marks Rohto’s first major investment in an Australian startup and reflects the company’s strategic shift into digital therapeutics and medical devices, as Japan and China grapple with the realities of ageing societies.
