• Christchurch-based Reform Radiology becomes inaugural clinical customer as New Zealand-developed photon-counting CT technology enters routine clinical practice
• Advanced photon-counting CT technology delivers high-resolution 3D colour-enabled X-ray imaging at the point of care

MARS Bioimaging, a New Zealand–headquartered medical device company, has secured the first clinical sale of its portable photon-counting CT scanner for upper extremity imaging, with Christchurch-based Reform Radiology becoming the inaugural clinical customer to introduce the technology as part of its specialist musculoskeletal imaging service.

The installation marks the first clinical deployment worldwide of the MARS Extremity Imaging System following U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance in March. It represents a major commercial milestone as MARS Bioimaging begins global commercial rollout, with Reform Radiology serving as an important reference site to support clinical adoption in key markets, including the United States.

Designed for community and point-of-care healthcare settings, the MARS Extremity Imaging System delivers high-resolution 3D colour-enabled X-ray imaging with sub-0.1 mm resolution and clear differentiation of bone, cartilage, soft tissue, blood vessels and metallic implants. Enabled by advanced photon-counting CT technology, it provides clinicians with additional detail to support diagnosis, surgical planning, assessment of fracture healing and evaluation of orthopaedic implants.

Dr Ojas Mahapatra, Group Chief Executive Officer of MARS Bioimaging, says the sale marks a defining milestone in the company's commercial journey.

"After significant efforts to develop, validate and secure regulatory approval for this technology, seeing it move into routine clinical practice is the milestone every medical device company strives to achieve. It means clinicians are beginning to use our technology to improve patient journeys. care.

 "We're especially proud that our first clinical installation is here in Christchurch, where MARS Bioimaging was founded and where this technology has been developed over many years. Reform Radiology is the ideal inaugural clinical customer and will serve as a global reference site as we expand internationally.”

With the installation, patients referred to Reform Radiology will be among the first in the world to access the MARS Extremity Imaging System as part of routine clinical care. The technology provides clinicians with advanced imaging information to support the assessment and treatment of complex musculoskeletal conditions.

Paul Mouthaan, General Manager of Reform Radiology, says the practice has a long history of introducing advanced imaging technologies that improve patient care.

"Reform Radiology has always sought to bring new leading-edge imaging capabilities and services to patients across the South Island. We're delighted to once again introduce an important new imaging technology that simply hasn't been available before in a community imaging setting. It's particularly rewarding that this world first is happening here in Christchurch, giving patients in our region access to advanced photon-counting CT technology close to home.

"Having trialled and supported development of MARS Bioimaging's imaging technology within our practice, we've seen the value it can bring to clinicians and patients. We're excited to become the first clinical customer and reference site for the MARS Extremity Imaging System. We look forward to working with our referring network of hand surgeons, specialists, general practitioners, physiotherapists and hand therapists so more patients can benefit from the technology."

Thomas Moritz, Radiologist at Reform Radiology, says the MARS Extremity Imaging System provides a new level of information for complex musculoskeletal imaging.

“The spatial resolution this system provides is excellent for imaging the intricate bony and soft tissue anatomy of the hand and wrist. It gives us high-quality detail that supports our assessment of complex injuries in this region, and we look forward to building our clinical experience with the system.”

Dr Fiona Timms, Orthopaedic Hand and Wrist Surgeon at The Hand and Wrist Centre, says it is exciting to have a new MARS scanner available permanently in Christchurch at Reform Radiology.

“A number of my patients have already had imaging as part of MARS’s scientific trial during its development. The scanner provides excellent imaging, particularly of boney anatomy and allows for 3D imaging reconstruction. The resolution between bone and metal implants is particularly good, allowing assessment of bony union as well as early metal failure.

“The new MARS Extremity Imaging System going into Reform Radiology is even more comfortable and easier for our patients as it’s much quicker and allows imaging from the elbow to the wrist, which will expand its use. I am looking forward to working with the team at Reform to continue trying to improve my patients' journey and outcomes, and the MARS scanner will be part of this.”

Commercial expansion in the United States
The United States is MARS Bioimaging's priority international market and the world's largest CT imaging market. Following FDA 510(k) clearance earlier this year, the company is engaging with hospitals, imaging providers and research institutions as it prepares for broader clinical adoption of its photon-counting CT technology.

Dr Ojas Mahapatra says the company's commercial strategy is centred on bringing advanced musculoskeletal imaging closer to patients through community and point-of-care healthcare settings.

"Following FDA clearance and the successful completion of our oversubscribed Series A capital raise earlier this year, our focus is on commercial adoption. The United States is our priority market because it represents the world's largest opportunity for CT imaging. We're building strong relationships with clinicians and healthcare providers, and this first clinical installation provides an important reference site as we expand internationally."

NZTE has supported MARS Bioimaging throughout its commercialisation journey, providing regulatory and compliance expertise ahead of FDA clearance, and continues to support the company's international market entry, with the United States a priority market.

Clare Wilson, General Manager International at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, said: “Exports are critical to New Zealand’s economy and MARS Bioimaging is an export success story we are incredibly proud of. With FDA clearance now secured and early commercial traction underway, MARS is well positioned for its next stage of growth, and we look forward to continuing to support the team as they build their presence in the US.”

The MARS Extremity Imaging System

The MARS Extremity Imaging System is the world's first portable photon-counting CT scanner for upper extremity imaging. It leverages advanced photon-counting detector technology developed originally through particle physics research at the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN), home of the Higgs boson discovery. MARS Bioimaging holds the exclusive licence from CERN to commercialise this Medipix3 technology for medical imaging in point-of-care settings. Its compact, portable design enables advanced musculoskeletal CT imaging to be deployed in community imaging centres, specialist practices and other point-of-care healthcare settings.