ASX companies roll out devices to tackle TBI head-on. Pic: Getty Images
Health & Biotech
March is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Awareness Month, a time to really think about the impact TBIs have on people’s lives and the need for better protection.
A TBI happens when something forces a blow to the head, like a hard hit, jolt, or even an object piercing the skull, affecting the brain.
It can range from a mild concussion to something far more serious, altering the way someone thinks, moves, or communicates.
Sometimes, the effects are temporary, but other times, it can change someone’s life forever, or worse, be fatal.
The different types of TBIs vary in severity.
Hematomas, skull fractures and contusions happen when the brain bleeds, swells, or bruises, causing pressure that can lead to further damage.
Repeated head injuries can also have long-term effects, like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) seen in athletes or post-traumatic dementia (PTD) – which can cause memory loss and confusion.
The most common type of TBI, however, is mild TBI, also known as a concussion.
“The jarring of the brain against the sides of the skull can cause shearing (tearing) of the internal lining, tissues, and blood vessels leading to internal bleeding, bruising, or swelling of the brain,” said a note from Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Older adults, especially those over 65, are most at risk and men, in general, face higher odds of serious brain injuries.
“The most common injuries are from motor vehicle accidents (where the person is either riding in the car or is struck as a pedestrian), violence, falls, or as a result of shaking a child (as seen in cases of child abuse).”
The best way to prevent TBI, therefore, is by being smart and proactive.
Always wear a seatbelt and a helmet when needed, avoid driving under the influence, stay active to keep your balance and strength in check, and make your home safer by removing trip hazards.
According to Allied Research, the global market for TBI assessments was valued at around US$10 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow to $18 billion by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 7%.
In Australia, over 700,000 people live with a brain injury.
Around 75% of these individuals are aged 65 or younger, and two-thirds acquired their injury before the age of 25. Men make up three-quarters of those affected.
The most common type of TBI in Australia is concussion, with around 170,000 cases occurring annually. These usually require no treatment other than rest and over-the-counter pain relievers to treat a headache.
But for the most severe cases, doctors may use a mix of meds like anti-seizure drugs, coma-inducing meds, and diuretics.
They might also perform emergency surgery to clear blood clots or relieve brain pressure.
One brain tissue-focused biotech that’s addressing TBI is Argenica Therapeutics (ASX:AGN), with its flagship drug, ARG-007.
Initially focused on stroke, this first-in-class drug has shown strong results in a ferret trial for mild to moderate TBI.
In the study, the drug reduced key brain injury proteins and inflammation, bringing levels back to normal in areas linked to memory and mental function.
But what sets ARG-007 apart is its ability to target brain injury through multiple mechanisms of action, thanks to its cationic poly-arginine peptide designed to reduce harmful protein buildup in the brain.
Another biotech in the brain injury space is Nyrada (ASX:NYR) with its drug NYR-BI03, currently being put to the test at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
NYR-BI03 isn’t only focused on treating stroke; it’s also exploring TBI with a special model that mimics severe brain injury.
The goal is to see if NYR-BI03 can protect the brain from further damage after an injury.
The team at Nyrada is using advanced MRI technology at UNSW Sydney to track how well the drug protects the brain of the test animals, looking at biomarkers and mitochondrial function – an early indicator of overall brain health.
There are also ASX-listed companies making their mark with medical devices aimed at tackling TBI.
From portable brain scanners to advanced communication tools, these innovations are stepping up to meet the gaps in TBI care.
Compumedics, known for its sleep tech, is pushing into brain monitoring and TBI detection.
The company’s MEG (Magnetoencephalography) device measures brain activity and provides insights into brain function after injury, helping track TBI damage and recovery.
Compumedics has installed its MEG system at Tianjin Normal University in China with a $4.7 million contract and is targeting even bigger deals in 2025.
Compumedics also offers the DWL TBI Device, a portable tool that scans brain blood vessels in real-time, quickly detecting signs of TBI for immediate alerts in various settings.
Control Bionics helps people with ALS, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, and TBI to communicate and control their surroundings.
Its flagship product, the NeuroNode Trilogy, uses EMG (electromyography) technology to read muscle signals, turning them into actions like typing, speaking, browsing the web, or controlling lights and electric beds – without physical movement.
It lets users communicate with just their mind or a slight muscle twitch, making it perfect for those who’ve lost the ability to move or speak.
CBL’s new innovation, the NeuroStrip, is a wearable sensor that tracks muscle activity and sends real-time data to an app, opening up possibilities for health, sports, and critical care.
EMvision Medical Devices (ASX:EMV)
EMVision’s “emu” is a portable brain scanner for diagnosing stroke and TBI.
Using high-frequency radio signals and AI, it creates detailed brain images in under 10 minutes, helping doctors quickly assess patients in emergencies.
The affordable, easy-to-use device can be deployed in ICUs, stroke wards, and even remote areas.
EMV recently received ethics clearance from the US Institutional Review Board (IRB) for its pivotal multi-centre trial to validate the performance of the emu.
This approval is crucial for the company as it works toward securing FDA clearance.
EMV said the approval can speed up the process, with plans to announce US investigational sites soon. Ethics approval in Australia is also underway.
At Stockhead we tell it like it is. While Compumedics, Control Bionics and EMvision Medical Devices are Stockhead advertisers, they did not sponsor this article.
This story does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decision.
Health & Biotech
Health & Biotech
Health & Biotech
