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20th August 2024

Dr Lynne Lim of NousQ Joins MedTech World’s Innovator Lineup in Singapore

“Singapore’s biggest strength for MedTech is its ability to serve as a hub, bridging APAC and the West. We are trusted, smart, hardworking, and reliable partners, and with strong government support, our MedTech ecosystem will continue to grow rapidly.”

– Dr Lynne Lim | Founder and CEO | NousQ

Introducing Dr Lynne Lim, the award-winning Founder and CEO of NousQ. A MedTech pioneer, Dr Lim is transforming ear tube surgery with her groundbreaking CLiKX device. Catch her at MedTech World’s debut Asia Roadshow in Singapore on September 17th!

Who is NousQ’s Dr Lynne Lim?

With August now in its final stretch, we’ve reached the final countdown—less than a month until MedTech World’s historic first roadshow in Asia! On September 17th, we’ll be landing in the garden city of Singapore. On this note, we’re thrilled to spotlight one of the standout stars of our show, the award-winning Dr Lynne Lim, Founder and CEO of NousQ. 

Dr Lim brings a wealth of experience from her impressive career in the medical industry. Since 2021, her company has been making waves with CLiKX, the world’s first handheld robotic surgical applicator designed to revolutionise ear tube surgery for middle ear infections. This groundbreaking device aims to cut down the risks, costs, and inequalities associated with traditional procedures, making it a game-changer in the field.

Being a MedTech entrepreneur is far from a leisurely stroll through the Gardens by the Bay, but Dr Lynne Lim certainly makes it look effortless, her accolades extending well beyond her role at NousQ. Lynne is the 2024 1st Prize winner of the Cartier Women’s Initiative Science & Tech Pioneer Award, the 2022 Champion of MedTech Innovator APAC. She is also a Senior Consultant ENT Surgeon and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore. 

Here’s a brief Q&A we had with her ahead of our roadshow, to give you just a glimpse of the talent we’re bringing on board.

A Brief Chat with the Doctor

Word around the industry is that Singapore has a thriving MedTech Sector. What’s it like to be an entrepreneur here?

Building a MedTech company from Singapore and expanding globally is both challenging and exciting!

Our biggest strength lies in our ability to serve as a hub, bridging APAC and the West. Singapore’s neutral stance, multilingual environment, and strong IP protection make it an ideal base. The country boasts top-notch research and clinical institutions and benefits from robust government support, fueling our rapidly growing MedTech ecosystem. 

However, the path isn’t always smooth. The field of invasive surgical devices is less developed here compared to the West, with investors less familiar with the extended timelines and rigorous trials involved. This often leaves startups grappling with funding and hiring challenges. Increased private-public collaboration could be transformative, akin to the impact of workplace diversity. 

If we want to see real breakthroughs, we need to be less risk-averse.

However, the Singapore government, EDB, Enterprise Singapore, and their many extended partners have made significant strides in supporting startups in recent years. It’s a journey, but I see tremendous effort underway, and I want to express my gratitude to everyone involved, including the companies that are helping to draw the attention of the broader global industry toward Singapore.

We have to know… What inspired your shift from ENT surgeon to MedTech innovator with NousQ?

It all started in Cambodia, where I faced the heartache of turning away children with glue ear due to a lack of resources. Witnessing their ongoing suffering—ear infections, hearing loss, and the impact on their futures—was deeply troubling. 

The idea for CLiKX came to me when I saw how quickly my daughter’s ear piercing was done with a gun. I envisioned a similar device that could perform the procedure swiftly and effectively, minimising discomfort. While I was an academic clinician at the National University Health System in Singapore, this insight led me to co-develop CLiKX with engineer Chee Wee. 

Realising the potential of our innovation, I founded NousQ in 2021 amidst the pandemic to bring it to life.

Tell us more about CLiKX and its journey from concept to market.

CLiKX is the world’s first handheld surgical applicator designed to insert ear tubes onto the delicate eardrum in just one second, thanks to its advanced robotics, software, and proximity sensors. This innovation eliminates the need for general anaesthesia and a surgical microscope, making procedures faster, safer, and more cost-effective. 

CLiKX has undergone over 15 prototype iterations, guided by input from engineers, design experts, and clinicians. This extensive development process has refined its precision and functionality. 

Currently, we are focused on FDA trials for regulatory approval, which is crucial for market access. We are also raising funds to support this process, having secured $4 million in our pre-Series A round, with an additional $2 million still needed. 

What has feedback been like?

The feedback on CLiKX has been overwhelmingly positive! KOLs and patients alike have recognised it as a critical tool, not just a luxury. The need for such a device is immense, and without CLiKX, many patients would remain untreated. 

External validation through prestigious MedTech awards and accelerator programs has further solidified confidence in our team, product, and its commercial potential. Clinical trials have shown that both adults and children can undergo ear tube insertions with CLiKX under local anaesthesia, achieving precision and safety with minimal discomfort. 

Witnessing the profound impact of a one-second insertion in restoring hearing and transforming lives has been truly rewarding.

With your extensive experience, what key advice would you offer to healthcare professionals aiming to innovate or launch their own medical technology ventures?

My top advice is to envision your goal and work backwards, staying true to your mission despite external noise.

Innovating in MedTech is demanding, requiring significant R&D investment and time before seeing results. The field involves numerous stakeholders with varying priorities, often sidelining the patient’s perspective. It’s easy to lose sight of your original mission amid funding struggles and an underdeveloped ecosystem, particularly in APAC. 

Based on my experience, especially with the MedTech Innovator program, it’s crucial to fundraise for future needs and build strong relationships early on. Relationships are key assets that take time to develop, making early groundwork essential for success. In this way, MedTech remains fundamentally a people business.

Get ready for MedTech World in Singapore

This September, our exciting sojourn to Singapore’s evolving MedTech landscape with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and #GenAI4Pharma will spotlight groundbreaking innovations happening in the region. 

  • Join us for an afternoon and evening of keynote speeches, panel discussions, startup showcases, and a vibrant networking reception. 
  • Experience how the nation’s thriving healthcare sector benefits from strong government support, top-notch talent, and cutting-edge infrastructure. 
  • Don’t miss this chance to explore Singapore’s MedTech scene and connect with global innovators.

Detailed agenda to follow—stay tuned!