17 October 2019
One of Australia’s most experienced health sector executives, Gavin Fox-Smith, has been appointed
the new Chair of leading digital health accelerator, ANDHealth, after Dr Anna Lavelle announced her
retirement as Chair of the Board.
Dr Lavelle has led the ANDHealth Board since its inception, and has demonstrated strong governance
leadership and support of the important establishment phase.
“My three years as Chair of ANDHealth have been a pleasure, and I warmly welcome the new Chair,
Mr Fox-Smith – an industry colleague I respect and trust,” Dr Lavelle said.
ANDHealth is Australia’s only organisation dedicated to supporting digital health companies to
commercialise – turning innovative health and technology ideas into viable, high-growth businesses.
Under a unique non-profit, industry-led model, ANDHealth provides expert advice, ongoing support,
and tailored programs proven to accelerate the scale-up of clinical-grade digital health businesses.
ANDHealth has screened hundreds of local digital health companies, selecting 10 leading ventures for
acceleration in the past two years.
With more than 30 years’ experience in the medical devices industry, including 22 years at Johnson &
Johnson Medical, and Chair of the Medical Technology Association of Australia, Gavin Fox-Smith has
extensive background as a senior commercial and executive leader in the Asia Pacific region.
“Digital health is one of the largest and fastest growing sectors attracting investment globally, but
Australia is lagging behind. ANDHealth recognises the need to support digital health companies to
commercialise, capture value, and create jobs locally,” Mr Fox-Smith said.
“Digital health is an evolving, still emerging, sector, with shifting regulatory landscapes that are
difficult for companies to navigate strategically. I am truly delighted to be joining ANDHealth at this
critical time for the digital health sector in Australia.”
ANDHealth was established in 2017, and has reviewed and provided tailored feedback to more digital
health companies than any other organisation in Australia.
“We’re unlike any other accelerator in Australia,” ANDHealth CEO, Bronwyn Le Grice, said.
“We have a multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary membership, and our unique cooperative
commercialisation centre model provides proven expertise to our innovators and investors.”
Since October 2017, ANDHealth has directly supported 10 digital health companies with over $3.5
million of cash and in-kind services to create 119 new jobs, raise over $24 million in capital,
commence 23 clinical studies, secure 139 new commercial customers, and serve 44,900 patients.
ANDHealth cohort companies include:
CancerAid – an app that supports and provides education and information to
cancer patients and families through a community platform, health coaching,
and clinician-connected care;
Atmo BioSciences – an ingestible pill sensor which provides real-time gas information for gut
health diagnosis and management;
Seer Medical – hospital standard epilepsy monitoring and diagnosis delivered digitally in the
home, including an app to keep track of seizures; and
Vitalic Medical – a non-invasive monitoring system that detects early signs of patient
deterioration and alerts staff to potential falls.
“Gavin is considered one of the most senior health sector leaders in the Asia Pacific region. His
insights, expertise and leadership will be instrumental to ANDHealth’s continued success,” Ms Le
Grice said.
Mr Fox-Smith is the immediate past Chair of the medical devices industry body, the Medical
Technology Association of Australia (MTAA). He is a member of the Male Champions of Change in
STEM and Health, and a passionate advocate for efforts that improve health, literacy and education,
particularly for Indigenous communities.
“Digital health can increase quality of healthcare, improve efficiency in and access to healthcare,
reduce costs, and create a truly patient-centric healthcare system – values which have underpinned
my whole career in the health and medical devices sector,” Mr Fox-Smith said.
ANDHealth thanks Dr Lavelle for her significant contribution as Founding Chair of ANDHealth, and
acknowledges her strategic and influencing role.
“Working with Anna has been a real partnership, and I have greatly valued her responsiveness and
support,” Ms Le Grice said.
Read the full media release here: ANDHealth – Leading Health Executive Appointed New Chair
For more information, please contact
Evelyn Ek on 0412 887 853
