FeBI Technologies: unlocking iron disorder diagnostics with quantum technology
In the realm of deep tech innovation, quantum technology has emerged as a strategic priority for research and development worldwide. At the forefront of this quantum revolution stands FeBI Technologies, a pioneering company leveraging novel quantum sensing technology to address a global health challenge affecting over 2 billion people: iron disorders.
The iron imperative
Iron-related health issues are alarmingly prevalent. Iron deficiency, the world’s most common nutritional problem, disproportionately affects women, with one in five impacted in Australia. Dr Nicole Jenkins, Co-Founder and CEO of FeBI Technologies, is a researcher focused on the influence of iron on the biology of ageing and neurodegeneration and is passionate about iron and iron status as a health marker.
Nicole emphasises the significance of the problem: “Accurate iron tests are crucial for health and wellbeing. Iron not only ensures proper oxygen delivery to the brain and supports nerve protection and development, but iron also helps produce brain chemicals that affect mood and thinking. Iron disorders negatively impact growth and development in children and cognitive function and mental health in adults, so it is crucial to get timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment.”
Research by Nicole and FeBI Technologies Co-Founder, A/Prof Gawain McColl, has unveiled an even more pressing concern: “We found that iron dyshomeostasis, or an iron imbalance, increases the risk of neurodegeneration,” Nicole explains, underscoring the critical need for accurate iron level diagnostics.
The diagnostic dilemma
To understand FeBI Technologies’ innovation, we need to know a little about iron in the body. A/Prof David Simpson, a leading quantum scientist and Co-Founder of FeBI Technologies, breaks it down: “Ferritin is our iron storage protein, and this protein can store up to 3,000 atoms of iron, or be completely empty. The job of FeBI Technologies is to try and detect the amount of iron that’s present in these proteins.”
Current iron tests face significant limitations. They have been around for decades, but are no longer fit for purpose, requiring expensive lab equipment and yielding variable results. They only test for levels of ferritin protein, missing the crucial insight of how much iron is inside the proteins. “The iron within ferritin is actually a good clinical marker, but we didn’t have a way of measuring that in a blood sample,” notes Nicole. This variability can lead to missed diagnoses or misdiagnosis, particularly in patients with chronic health conditions, where levels of ferritin protein increase independently of the amount of iron.
The quantum solution
FeBI Technologies’ groundbreaking approach lies in its diamond-based quantum sensing technology. This innovative system assesses the magnetic properties of ferritin, effectively performing an MRI on a nanoscale. “We can pick up the magnetic signature of iron within ferritin which hasn’t been possible before,” explains Nicole.
This quantum sensing technology promises to unlock previously inaccessible information about iron content in proteins. The potential impact is significant: an inexpensive, accurate diagnostic tool that could transform the management of iron disorders and improve health outcomes for millions.
The right people at the right time
The startup company, FeBI Technologies, emerged from a serendipitous collaboration between researchers at the University of Melbourne – David Simpson and Liam Hall – and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health – Gawain McColl – looking for a better way of measuring iron in biological systems.
Reflecting on how FeBI Technologies came to be, Nicole says: “I like to think of it as Gawain had a problem looking for a solution, and Liam and David had a solution looking for a problem.” Nicole joined the team after the collaboration had formed to help bring the solution to market. In the two years since the team was formed, they have gone from identifying the problem to gaining clinical validation, identifying the form the project is going to take, forming a company and securing their first funding.
Talking about his work with David, Liam adds: “We were very much... a hammer looking for a nail. We understood the physics very, very well but obviously don’t have a very strong background between the two of us in the biological side of things.” As they dove deeper with Gawain and Nicole to understand the impact of iron disorders in the community, they unearthed a real need. “We started to understand pretty quickly that we were onto something that was potentially pretty impactful,” Liam notes.
The founding team of FeBI Technologies brings together a diverse range of expertise, perfectly suited to tackle the complex challenge of iron disorder diagnostics. Nicole Jenkins is a Senior Research Officer at the Florey Institute and contributes her extensive background in iron biology and neurodegeneration research. Gawain McColl, an Associate Professor with joint appointments at the University of Melbourne and the Florey Institute, heads the Molecular Gerontology laboratory, bringing valuable insights into ageing and iron metabolism.
David Simpson is an Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne and leads the Quantum Biosensing group, pioneering diamond-based quantum sensing for biological applications. Dr Liam Hall, is known for his groundbreaking work in magnetic resonance-based quantum sensing techniques. Although Liam has now left the company to take up a prestigious position as a Science Leader in Quantum Biotechnology and Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO, he continues to collaborate with the team on the FeBI project. Rounding out this formidable team is Dr Andrew Watt, an experienced project lead with a strong track record in managing large multidisciplinary teams, ensuring that FeBI's innovative ideas translate effectively from the lab to real-world applications.
From academia to impact
The journey of FeBI Technologies exemplifies the power of translating academic research into real-world solutions. “Part of what we do in academia is understand fundamental biology and how that translates to helping people,” reflects Nicole. “To translate something to be of benefit to the most people, there really does need to be a commercial solution. This is why we formed the start-up company in 2023.”
The FeBI team’s participation in the TRAM (Translating Research at Melbourne) programs has been instrumental in bridging the gap between academic research and commercial viability. The team was part of the the 2023 TRAM Runway cohort before joining TRAM Air this year. Through mentorship and exposure to commercial perspectives, FeBI Technologies has refined their focus and strategy.
“It’s really easy to get caught up in those academic outcomes and working at the bench,” notes Nicole. Participating in x TRAM’s Runway and Air programs has helped the team think beyond the laboratory, considering the practical aspects of bringing their technology to market. “Speaking to clinical haematologists, people working in clinics, entrepreneurial experts, regulatory experts, being able to see how FeBI Technologies could work from both a biological and commercial standpoint. This fuels our ongoing research to continue to develop the product, to build a solution that is affordable and accessible.”
Looking ahead
FeBI Technologies has recently secured funding from Australia’s Economic Accelerator, enabling the team to move from proof of concept toward a clinically relevant setting. “We're working on improving the sensitivity and specificity so that we can measure right across the clinical spectrum from iron deficiency to normal, right through to iron overload,” shares Nicole.
FeBI Technologies has been identified as a high-value market opportunity in the National Quantum Strategy and is an industry partner on a Queensland government Quantum 2032 Challenge grant. The project aims to advance quantum sensors for ultrasensitive iron measurement to enhance athlete performance and health for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, driven by demand from sports science end-users. The team has mapped out a capital raising strategy to continue this momentum on their path to market.
The road ahead involves seeking further investment and navigating the landscape of an increasing number of quantum technology grants. As FeBI Technologies continues to refine its technology and articulate the health economic benefits of better iron tests, the potential for global impact grows.
In a world where precision medicine is increasingly vital, FeBI Technologies stands at the intersection of quantum innovation and healthcare. By harnessing the power of quantum sensing to unlock the unseen world of iron within our bodies, FeBI Technologies is poised to transform diagnostics and improve health outcomes for millions affected by iron disorders worldwide.
Read more about our 2024 TRAM Air cohort HERE
If you’re interested in applying for TRAM Air in 2025, please fill out our expression of interest form or email Masha Pelipas, TRAM Air Program Manager: maria.pelipas@unimelb.edu.au.
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Cofounders: Nicole Jenkins, Gawain McColl, David Simpson and Liam Hall
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