Australian med tech startup Nutromics has named US-based Dr Agim Beshiri as its first chief medical officer.

Dr Beshiri has over two decades of experience in the diagnostic space, specialising in laboratory medicine and internal medicine. He was recently a senior medical director at Abbott Laboratories, the maker of the Freestyle Libre and Lingo biosensors. 

He will be leading ​​Nutromics' medical research, regulatory engagement, clinical development, and hospital partnerships, according to a media release.

Nutromics was on the lookout for a CMO who could challenge them and ensure that the company stays true to its values while pursuing "extraordinary" technology.

"Dr Beshiri is a world-class hire and a fantastic start in our US hiring drive. Having him join Nutromics is a testament to the potential of our technology, especially in its ability to close major gaps in unmet clinical needs," said Nutromics co-founder and co-CEO Hitesh Mehta.

WHY IT MATTERS

Dr Beshiri's appointment comes as Nutromics is set to conduct in-human clinical studies of its "lab-on-the-skin" patch. The patch is a continuous molecular monitoring (CMM) device that can track multiple targets in the human body and provide real-time molecular-level insights for remote patient monitoring and hospital-at-home systems. Last year, the company received A$10 million in investments to fund its trials.

As a senior medical device executive, Dr Beshiri has expertise in developing and implementing diagnostic research for biomarkers. "I am excited to play my part in transforming Nutromics' innovative technology into a clinically implementable technology in a clinician's hands," he said.

THE LARGER TREND

Nutromics is eyeing to enter the therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) market with its first CMM device for tracking vancomycin, a prescription antibiotic. It is expected that the global TDM market will reach $2 billion in value by 2025 from $1.4 billion in 2020, growing at a 6.9% CAGR.

The company aims to secure the approval of the US Food and Drug Administration for its CMM device for vancomycin by 2025.