Siloton has agreed the sale of two chip modules and a full chip-OCT imaging system to Project Ginan; an Australian consortium made up of Angel Eyecare, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), and Lions Eye Institute.
Project Ginan will confirm whether Siloton’s novel eye imaging technology, underpinned by a quantum-enabled photonic chip, is feasible for delivering diagnostic eye imaging to First Nation individuals living in remote communities. The consortium will subject the equipment to environmental testing at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, before carrying out imaging demonstrations at Lions Eye Institute.
Angel Eyecare, the project lead and a 100% indigenous-owned business, will conduct focus groups with First Nations People to understand how they would like to see First Nation voices included in the development of an eye scanning service for their communities. The focus groups will also capture the cultural, ergonomic, and individual factors that should be considered.
Project Ginan is funded by the Australian Government through the Critical Technologies Challenge Program, which aims to develop quantum technology solutions for four market-led challenges of national significance. In particular, Project Ginan addresses Challenge 2: Improve life expectancy, health outcomes and access to health technology for First Nations peoples.
Shane Brookman, Founder of Angel Eyecare said: “Everyone deserves the gift of sight — no matter where they live. This project isn’t just about technology. It’s about giving First Nations people the same access to eye care as anyone else. As a clinician, I’ve seen the heartbreak of preventable blindness in remote communities. With Project Ginan, we’re removing the barriers to care, bringing world-class medical imaging to every corner of Australia.”
Professor Bill Morgan, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Lions Eye Institute and Royal Perth Hospital said: “This work is extremely important for our capacity to deliver advanced diagnostic imaging to remote communities across rough terrain and in difficult environments, where it is likely that only solid state systems will function for extended periods. Additionally, it is hoped that such systems will be cheap enough to make their way into small communities where they will be cost-effective. We are also very excited about the possibility of using the system in Indonesia and Southeast Asia in particular, where there are many islands and communities, currently under serviced in relation to diagnostic imaging. The success of this research project will be a huge win for Australia and our close neighbours.”
Dr Alasdair Price, CEO of Siloton said: “We’re delighted to be able to support Project Ginan in their mission to bring robust and portable diagnostic eye imaging to underserved First Nations communities across Australia. This initial equipment sale is just the beginning and we look forward to being able to supply the consortium with next-generation devices as their eye scanning service continues to develop.”
Acknowledgement of Country
Siloton recognises the First Peoples of Country throughout Australia and their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to the lands, waters, seas, skies, and communities.
We acknowledge the contributions and sophistication of First Nations knowledges to medicine, engineering, science, and technology.
We also acknowledge First Nations Peoples as the Traditional Custodians and Lore Keepers of the oldest living culture and pay respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples.
About Ginan
Ginan: a single, orange-hued star in the southern constellation of Crux, named by the Wardaman people of the Northern Territory who saw it as a small dilly bag full of knowledge, songs of knowledge that were passed on.
Beneath an eternal sky that has watched over First Nations people for 65,000 years, our ancestors held a sacred gift—the power of sight, connecting us with the cosmos. In the Southern Cross shines Ginan, a star bearing an Aboriginal name recognised globally. Ginan symbolises our inherent right to see the night sky and connect with the wisdom of the ancestors.
Every time a First Nations person gazes upward, they embrace a timeless right: the right to see the stars and draw strength from ancestral stories etched across the heavens. The night sky is not just a canvas of light, but a living archive of heritage and guidance. Ginan invites us to rediscover our identity, ensuring our bond with the past remains unbroken. In its glow, we reclaim our vision and the enduring connection to our ancestral spirit. Project Ginan unites us all under one sky, preserving traditions and lighting the way for the future of Australia by sharing the precious gift of sight with future generations of First Nations people.
About Siloton
Siloton is on a mission to ensure people with eye disease can receive sight-saving eye scans wherever and whenever they need it. Siloton’s photonic chip technology will transform clinical-grade medical imaging systems into devices that can be accessed anywhere on or off planet Earth. They are supported by a number of key players in the ophthalmology space, including Moorfields Eye Hospital and the Macular Society. Their customers include the European Space Agency, who need a long-term solution to monitoring eye problems that astronauts frequently develop while in space.
Siloton’s third investment round is now open. In its previous round, it raised £860k to fund the development of a self-imaging prototype, which was used to acquire the world’s first patient eye images with a photonic chip. This funding has also helped support ongoing revenue generating activities and Siloton’s ISO13485 accreditation.
To find out more, visit www.siloton.com or follow updates on Siloton’s LinkedIn page.