The Automated Neonatal Exchange Transfusion (ANET) Device team, a student-led innovation from KNUST's DIPPER Lab, has won the IAU ASCEND Lion's Den competition held at the British Council in Accra.
ANET was among 21 student-led innovations showcased at the event, which brought together innovators from Ghana and Nigeria to present solutions to real-world challenges.
The innovation was presented by Samuel Kyei Agyemang and Erica Anti, who represented the ANET team during the competition.
The ANET team comprises Dr. Prince Odame, Dr. Mrs. Adoma Odame, Erica Anti, Samuel Kyei Agyemang and Russell Gyamfi.
Designed to improve neonatal healthcare delivery, ANET automates the exchange transfusion procedure used to treat severe neonatal jaundice.
The innovation aims to improve precision, reduce the burden on healthcare professionals and enhance outcomes for newborns requiring the procedure.
ANET was one of seven innovations from DIPPER Lab showcased under the Going Global Partnerships Grant, supported by the British Council.
Speaking after the announcement, Samuel Kyei Agyemang said the team had not expected to win the competition but remained confident in the impact of the innovation.
"We came here to share our work, learn from others and gain feedback. Winning was not something we were expecting, so this is a pleasant surprise. It is encouraging to see the potential of ANET recognised, and this motivates us to continue improving the innovation and working towards bringing it to market," he said.
Other innovations presented by the lab included SmartNitro, GalamSense, Ezytherm, NeoWax, Aurok-1 (HerdWatch) and AgroTrace.
Dr. Andrew Selasi Agbemenu, Deputy Scientific Director of DIPPER Lab, thanked the organisers of the IAU ASCEND Lion's Den competition and the British Council for providing a platform for young innovators to showcase their work and engage with researchers, industry stakeholders and potential investors.
He said, "Such opportunities are critical to advancing research-driven innovations and accelerating their journey from the laboratory to the marketplace."
The victory marks a significant milestone for the ANET team and reinforces DIPPER Lab's commitment to developing innovative solutions that address societal challenges through research, technology and entrepreneurship.
