$3M Boost for Australian Innovation Tackling Respiratory Disease with AI

Melbourne, Australia, 26th August 2025 - A pioneering collaboration between Diag-Nose.io and leading health innovation organisations has secured $3M in funding under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) program to accelerate RhinoMAP - an AI-enabled platform set to transform how respiratory diseases like asthma, sinusitis, and COPD are monitored and treated.

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Despite recent breakthroughs in respiratory treatments, a recent Australian study found that 40%-50% patients do not achieve the expected results. This CRCP project aims to close this gap, reducing trial-and-error treatment plans and unnecessary healthcare costs.

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“Current respiratory tools only tell half the story.” says Eldin Rostom, CEO and Co-Founder of Diag-Nose.io.

“New drugs such as biologics are life-changing but are expensive and slow to show results, which often lead to clinical uncertainty, lower patient adherence, and suboptimal use of healthcare resources.”

“Our platform, RhinoMAP, is like a radar for the respiratory system. It reveals whether inflammation is escalating, stable, or resolving to help clinicians course-correct or stay the path with confidence, guided by the disease biology itself.”

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The platform uses protein biomarkers from a nasal fluid sample and combines them with patient-reported data to deliver a real-time picture of airway inflammation. Its AI algorithms will enable clinicians to track whether high-cost treatments like biologics are working before current tools would show results. The national collaboration is backed by a total project value of $8.4 million, including partner cash and in-kind contributions. The initiative brings together leading experts from Monash University, Mater Research, ENT Clinic Melbourne, Manse Medical, and Invetech alongside trailblazing startups such as Diag-Nose.io and Human Health.

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The grant funding provided by the Australian Government will support R&D, clinical validation, and local manufacturing, creating skilled jobs and strengthening Australia's diagnostic manufacturing capabilities. Ultimately positioning Australia as a leader in AI-driven precision medicine.

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Georgia Vidler, Co-Founder of Human Health, sees this project as a major leap forward for Australia’s startup ecosystem.

"This is a rare and powerful convergence of science, technology, and government; sectors that too often operate in isolation. It's the shift Australia needs - Silicon Valley does this every day. It’s about time we did too.

"This partnership will demonstrate how coordinated national investment can turn research into real-world outcomes and elevate Australia’s role in global precision medicine.”

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Respiratory disease is one of Australia’s deadliest and most under-recognised health burdens. It affects one in five Australians and claims more lives each year than breast or prostate cancer. Globally, more than 545 million people are affected, with over 3.6 million deaths annually.

At the same time, respiratory health is emerging as one of 2025’s most active biotech sectors, with recent billion-dollar deals involving Verona Pharma and Hengrui Bio signalling strong global interest in the space.

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The consortium is excited to work together to advance precision respiratory care and improve outcomes for patients across Australia and beyond. The partners gratefully acknowledge the Australian Government’s support through the CRC-P program, which is instrumental in enabling this groundbreaking collaboration.

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-ENDS-  

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