Western researcher wins nation's largest medical and biotech pitch event

Western Sydney University’s Dr Jerry Zhou from the School of Medicine has won the 2026 Challenger Pitch for Health, the nation’s largest medical and biotech pitch event with a prize of $150,000.

Dr Zhou pitched Ins&Outs, a portable device that allows patients to complete physiotherapy for bowel muscles privately and comfortably in their own home. The device increases access to hard to access therapy addressing functional bowel disorder. A common condition impacting more than 4.5 million Australians.

Dr Zhou, CEO of Amazing Gut, which developed Ins&Outs – a team including Western’s Professor Bahman Javadi from School of Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences, Associate Professor Vincent Ho from the School of Medicine, Professor Paul Breen from the MARCS Institute and backed by Western Ventures – said he was delighted to win the competition and bring attention to this challenging condition.

“For the past 12 years, I have run the GI Motility Unit at Western Sydney University where I treat patients with biofeedback; physiotherapy for your bowel muscles. This treatment has proven very successful but is only available in a handful of specialised clinics meaning fewer than 1 per cent of patients have access.

“Ins&Outs makes this biofeedback accessible to everyone. The device delivers hospital-grade biofeedback from home. It miniaturises clinical technology into a portable device, allowing patients to complete therapy privately and comfortably,” said Dr Zhou.

Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, Professor Ian Anderson congratulated Dr Zhou on his success.

“Dr Zhou’s win of the nation’s largest medical and biotech pitch is not only testament to his research excellence and innovation, but also his dedication to creating impactful solutions that are co-designed with patients and clinicians to create lasting and real-life impacts on the lives of millions,” said Professor Anderson.

In clinical trials, patients using Ins&Outs at home achieved the same outcomes as hospital-based therapy. Treatment was also 50 per cent faster, with potential savings of over $180 million annually to the Australian healthcare system and patients.

Dr Zhou said winning the Challenger competition will help scale local manufacturing at Western’s own Factory of the Future to meet demand.

“My vision for Amazing Gut is to turn world-leading research into life-changing products—starting with Ins&Outs,and expanding across functional gut disorders. Forty percent of the global population is affected by these conditions so the opportunity and need is enormous,” said Dr Zhou.

The Challenger Pitch for Health was led by Proto Axiom, Australia’s leading biotech incubator, and the St Vincent’s Curran Foundation.

ENDS.

7 April 2026
Media Unit