MARS Bioimaging, a Christchurch-based medical technology company, has marked a landmark year with several significant achievements, positioning it as a key player in the emerging health technology sector within the city’s Te Papa Hauora precinct. The private company recently closed an oversubscribed capital raising round, securing $15 million in funding, and became the first New Zealand firm to receive approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its computed tomography (CT) scanner.
The company’s innovation centers on the development of the world’s first commercially available portable spectral photon-counting CT scanner, designed for point-of-care use and clinical research. Unlike conventional CT scanners that deliver monochromatic, low-resolution images, MARS’ technology captures color images by measuring individual X-ray photons, offering enhanced diagnostic capabilities. This technology enables hospital-grade imaging at patient clinics, research laboratories, and community healthcare sites rather than traditional centralized radiology departments.
Founded by Phil Butler, a former physics professor at the University of Canterbury, and his son Anthony Butler, a professor of radiology at Otago University and consultant to Christchurch Hospital, MARS has utilized technology exclusively licensed from CERN, the global particle physics research centre known for operating the Large Hadron Collider.
Dr Ojas Mahapatra, group chief executive of MARS Bioimaging, described the FDA clearance as a pivotal milestone that solidifies the company’s commercial position within the clinical marketplace. He noted the company is poised to launch a US subsidiary in the coming weeks to expand its presence in its primary target market. While the company is currently generating revenue, it remains unprofitable but is focused on introducing its advanced imaging solutions directly to clinical settings to improve patient care.
Mahapatra highlighted the broader ecosystem benefits of operating within Christchurch’s health precinct, which fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing among medtech enterprises. He suggested that the precinct has strong potential to become a significant regional or national contributor to economic growth, fueled in part by increased investor capital attracted by the concentration of innovative companies. “If a company, or a group of companies, do well, we are bringing in a lot of investment capital to Christchurch,” he said.
The decision to base MARS in Christchurch stems not only from the city’s connection to the founders but also from its robust manufacturing heritage, which supports rapid prototyping and device manufacturing. Mahapatra stated that Christchurch’s evolving city centre and vibrant community appeal have drawn talent from Europe and the United States, reinforcing the company’s ability to attract skilled professionals and investors.
As MARS Bioimaging advances its commercial ambitions and technological development, it is increasingly seen as a rising star within the medtech sector and a prominent contributor to the growth of Christchurch’s health technology industry.