Kazuaki Negishi

Kazuaki Negishi is an academic cardiologist and clinical trialist. Currently a Professor of Cardiovascular Research at UNSW, he is the CEO and founder of MicroCavitics, a medical technology that uses injectable microbubbles combined with an ultrasound patch to help restore blood flow to damaged areas of the heart following STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction). This severe type of heart attack is caused by a sudden blockage of a coronary artery, which impairs blood flow through the heart’s smaller microvessels, requiring immediate intervention for effective treatment. MicroCavitics offers a portable, cost-effective solution aimed at enabling faster, more accessible intervention and improving patient outcomes in cardiac care.

We asked Professor Negishi to share more about his work, the journey behind MicroCavitics, and his vision for improving outcomes in acute cardiac care.

You are a clinician, researcher, and now an entrepreneur. Can you talk to the differences in mindsets or approaches you have noticed are required to be successful at each?

It’s like starting the first year in medical school to learn about the business side of the things, such as regulatory approvals, quality control, supply chains, etc.

What are some of the obstacles you have faced as a clinician trying to innovate in healthcare?

My biggest hurdle would be time. I am already working the equivalent of around 1.5FTE, so it’s always a lack of time. Red bull helps.

How has IHealthE supported you to overcome these obstacles, and in your innovation journey more broadly?

There was always an openness to support and IHealthE was always available to help and discuss. That was the biggest help, as sometimes entrepreneurs feel very alone.

If you could speak directly to a clinician reading this who has an idea scribbled in a notebook, what’s the one thing you’d encourage them to do next?

Attend seminars and events to learn the basics and also get involved in networking. Then you can think how your idea would work, what to do next, how much work you have to do etc.

Ways to connect

Connect with Professor Kazuaki Negishi