NovoLabs “Best Spinout” in Australasia
30th October 2024
Massey Ventures spinout company, NovoLabs® was awarded “Best Spinout” at the 2024 KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards. This recognition highlights NovoLabs' innovative Supercritical UV® disinfection technology and Massey University’s commitment to commercialising groundbreaking research.
Massey Ventures accepts the “Best Spinout” award for NovoLabs at the 2024 KCA Research Commercialisation Awards. L-R: Quin Chang (KCA Chair) Mark Cleaver, Dr Sean Mackay, Dr Dan Carlisle, Ella Moffat, Jasmine Nash (Massey Ventures)
NovoLabs, Supercritical UV technology is backed by years of research at Massey University and is patented in countries representing over 70% of the worlds GDP. The current UV market is worth over $8 billion annually and NovoLabs technology, which involves a new technique for applying UV light to liquids, enables a multitude of new applications for UV disinfection.
Their ‘beachhead’ market has been in pollution control where they offer clients lower cost and more sustainable solutions across a range of applications. For a recent client, where traditional UV treatment was considered unviable, NovoLabs technology reduced pathogens to 35X below the mandated limit.
In New Zealand, NovoLabs have systems in operation from Northland to Southland and now have their sights set on expansion into international markets. More information about their solutions can be found on their website: novolabs.co.nz.
Above: NovoLabs’ Supercritical UV System
The KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards celebrate excellence in research commercialization from universities and research institutes across Australia and New Zealand. NovoLabs’ recognition in the Best Spinout Category is a testament to its transformative impact and the successful translation of academic research into practical, real-world applications.
NovoLabs' inventor and founder, Emeritus Professor Andy Shilton, was thrilled with the award:
"Massey University and Massey Ventures have played a pivotal role from Day 1 of NovoLabs' journey. In 2022 we were still in an old shed at the back of the University, but today we are well established and have treated over 1.5 billion litres of liquid across New Zealand using our commercial systems."
"Today we are entering a new stage with our first export unit soon to ship to Australia. We have a great team and, in particular, I would like to acknowledge the key role Massey Ventures' Director on our Board, Dr Russell Wilson, has played. Russell has been crucial to getting us to where we are today and has a key role to play as we move forward into new market sectors.”
The success follows NovoLabs triple-win at the NZ Hi-Tech Awards where they were awarded the Most Innovative Hi-Tech Hardware Product, Most Innovative Hi-Tech Solution for a More Sustainable Future and Most Innovative Deep Tech Solution awards at a sold-out gala following a record number of over 250 entries.
Above: NovoLabs treat liquids as they flow under UV lamps like these.
“We’re really proud to see NovoLabs recognised for their hard work and dedication to bringing this technology to market” said Dr Dan Carlisle, Commercialisation Manager at Massey Ventures. “We are proud to see our research commercialisation efforts recognised amongst some incredible finalists from across Australasia”.
“Up against three impressive finalists from Australian institutions, we were proud to fly the flag for the New Zealand commercialisation ecosystem.”
The award not only honours NovoLabs but also highlights the vital role of technology transfer and commercialisation in advancing research outcomes. It serves as an inspiration for future projects at Massey Ventures and within the broader academic community.
The team at Massey Ventures had a lot to celebrate, also winning “Best Licensing Deal” for a Keloid Scar treatment developed with the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute and licensed to AFT Pharmaceuticals.
Massey Ventures remains dedicated to supporting innovative startups like NovoLabs and facilitating the commercialisation of cutting-edge research from Massey University
About Massey Ventures: Massey Ventures is the technology transfer and commercialisation office for Massey University, dedicated to transforming innovative research into successful commercial ventures. By nurturing spinout companies and fostering partnerships, Massey Ventures aims to drive economic growth and societal impact through innovation.