RMIT Distinguished Professor Vipul Bansal and industry partner Nexsen Limited have received the Award for Industry-Research Collaboration at the 2026 Cooperative Research Australia (CRA) Awards for Excellence in Innovation for their long-term partnership advancing rapid diagnostic technologies.
Established in 2018, the RMIT-Nexsen collaboration focuses on developing simple, rapid point-of-care diagnostic tests for life-threatening infections, including Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in pregnant women. Their flagship innovation, StrepSure®, has progressed from early research to clinical-stage validation, with trials underway in Victoria and plans for international expansion.
RMIT Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation, Distinguished Professor Calum Drummond AO, said “The partnership demonstrates how universities and industry can work together to accelerate healthcare innovation and global impact.”
The collaboration has grown from an initial AU$400,000 industry investment into more than AU$17.5 million in combined project value, supporting Nexsen’s growth as an ASX-listed company and establishing ISO 13485-aligned MedTech manufacturing capability at RMIT.
Beyond GBS diagnostics, the partnership is expanding into applications including neonatal sepsis, renal disease, biosecurity and agricultural health, with a focus on improving healthcare access in low- and middle-income countries.
