South Australia’s Seonix Bio has received a million-dollar Australian Government grant to help incorporate rare variant detection into its genetic testing platform for eye diseases.

The company’s innovative genetic test, SightScore, uses a saliva test to identify individuals at high risk for glaucoma, enabling earlier diagnosis, intervention, and more personalised treatment. It can also identify low-risk individuals who may benefit from less frequent monitoring.

SightScore is already available in Australia and New Zealand and launched in the United States earlier this year. It is the brainchild of Jamie Craig, Professor of Ophthalmology at Flinders University, and his team.

Senonix Bio has received an Industry Growth Program grant of just over AU$1.16m. Announcing the grant, the federal Government said Seonix is developing and manufacturing a genetic testing procedure to detect rare variants, and optimise and accredit genetic risk scores for age-related macular degeneration, high myopia, and keratoconus.1

“Seonix will develop associated production software and clinical infrastructure, and perform a paid pilot in Australia and the US for commercial adoption.

“Grant support will help transform Seonix into a growth phase, dramatically increasing the company’s ability to address eye disease on a global scale.”1

The Industry Growth Program supports innovative startups and small and medium enterprises in bringing their ideas to market through tailored advisory services, followed by an opportunity for matched funding grants.

Reference

1. Australian Government. Industry Growth Program grant recipients (webpage) available at business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/industry-growth-program/grant-recipients [accessed Aug 2025].