Gas-sensing capsule takes another big step from lab to commercialisation

An ingestible gas-sensing capsule that provides real-time insights into gut health has moved closer to market with RMIT University transferring IP ownership to medical device company Atmo Biosciences. 

In an announcement today, RMIT transferred all patents and associated intellectual property related to the Atmo Gas Capsule to Atmo in exchange for an equity stake in the company. 

The innovative technology measures gaseous biomarkers directly at the source of production throughout the gut.

These biomarkers are used to measure gut transit time to aid diagnosis of common motility disorders such as gastroparesis and slow transit constipation. Functional gut disorders like these impact 2 in 5 people. 

Originally developed through groundbreaking research at RMIT, the ingestible gas-sensing capsule was licensed by Atmo in 2018.  

Since then, the company has advanced the technology from concept to clinical reality – developing, manufacturing and trialling the device to create a market-ready solution for diagnosing gastrointestinal disorders. 

Atmo Biosciences CEO Mal Hebblewhite said it was a significant milestone for both partners. 

"Having RMIT as a strategic shareholder reinforces our shared commitment to bringing this innovative technology to market,” he said.  

“Full ownership of our core IP further strengthens Atmo’s position as we advance toward regulatory clearance and commercialisation, ensuring long-term value for our company and the patients we aim to serve." 

The assignment marks a significant step in Atmo’s commercialisation journey as it seeks regulatory clearance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  

This follows last year's successful completion of a pivotal clinical study demonstrating the safety and efficacy of the device on more than 200 subjects from 12 trial sites in the US and Australia 

Earlier, the Atmo gas-sensing capsule was also used in a range of trials, such as one by Florida State University researchers to assess the impact of a restricted eating diet on gut gases and time taken for food to pass through the system. 

Atmo Biosciences’ Head of Clinical Affairs Kyle Berean said that the trial demonstrated the potential applicability of the Atmo Gas Capsule beyond diagnostic applications.  

“The Atmo Gas Capsule provides insights into gastrointestinal function including key markers such as regional gut hydrogen concentration and gastrointestinal transit time.” 

“This information is useful not only to clinicians to aid diagnosis of gastrointestinal disorders, such as dysmotility, but can also be used by researchers to determine the impact and efficacy of dietary and pharmacological interventions,” said Berean, who helped invent the device at RMIT and joined Atmo to bring it to market. 

Collaboration driving innovation 

Distinguished Professor Calum Drummond AO, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation and Vice-President at RMIT University, said today’s agreement exemplified the university’s mission to translate academic research for social benefit.  

“The equity component of this agreement strengthens our long-term collaboration, aligning our interests as Atmo continues to expand its platform technology." 

“We are particularly proud that several of our students and early career researchers played instrumental roles in developing this technology at RMIT and have continued to contribute as co-founders at Atmo Biosciences,” Drummond said.  

Hebblewhite said Atmo’s vision is to improve the quality of life for the many sufferers of common and debilitating gastrointestinal disorders and diseases, providing clinicians and researchers with tools that deliver actionable insights regarding gastrointestinal dysfunction.  

“Much about the gut remains a mystery, and this device allows us to shine a light for better understanding of what is happening in this critical part of our body for timely diagnosis, monitoring, and insight” he said. 

The Atmo Gas Capsule System is pending FDA 510(k) clearance and is not available for sale. The Atmo Gas Capsule System is an investigational device exclusively for use in clinical research.