Nexsen Wins HK$6 Million IGNITE Grant for StrepSure® Clinical Validation and Manufacturing

Grant Boosts Nexsen’s Asia-Pacific Strategy

Nexsen Limited (ASX:NXN) has taken a significant step forward in its Asia-Pacific expansion with a HK$6 million (approximately A$1.2 million) IGNITE Grant awarded to its wholly owned subsidiary, Nexsen Hong Kong Limited. This funding, provided by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, will underpin clinical validation and scaled manufacturing of Nexsen’s rapid diagnostic device, StrepSure®, designed to detect Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infections.

The grant is a clear endorsement of Nexsen’s strategy to leverage Hong Kong as a regional hub for manufacturing and distribution. With a birth cohort of 47 million annually across Asia-Pacific, the opportunity for StrepSure® is substantial, especially given the 21.5% prevalence of GBS in the region. The funding will enable Nexsen to initiate clinical validation studies through established hospital networks in Hong Kong, a critical step toward regulatory approval and market adoption.

Hong Kong: A Strategic Launchpad

Hong Kong’s robust clinical infrastructure and streamlined regulatory framework, particularly the Medical Device Administrative Control System (MDACS), provide Nexsen with a predictable and efficient pathway to commercialisation. The city’s government support, combined with Nexsen’s existing relationships with healthcare providers, positions the company well to generate real-world performance data and accelerate early adoption of StrepSure®.

Moreover, establishing manufacturing capabilities in Hong Kong will complement Nexsen’s Australian production facilities, which currently support up to one million devices annually. This dual manufacturing approach aims to ensure supply reliability, faster product iteration, and alignment with local regulatory requirements, enhancing Nexsen’s competitive edge in the region.

Advancing Toward Commercial Readiness

Managing Director Mark Muzzin highlighted the significance of the grant, noting it validates Nexsen’s approach to capital-efficient growth without shareholder dilution. The funding will support product optimisation tailored to Asia-Pacific clinical workflows and expedite the company’s rollout strategy across the region, which accounts for over 33 million births annually.

This milestone builds on Nexsen’s track record of securing non-dilutive funding, with total grants now exceeding approximately $13 million. As Nexsen progresses toward commercial readiness, the focus will be on delivering clinical validation results and scaling manufacturing to meet anticipated demand.