About Im-Able
Im-Able is a New Zealand based company. Our products are developed in close consultation with patients, health professionals and engineers at Industrial Research Limited (IRL) with $4.6 million funding from the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.
The products have been tested in New Zealand at the Burwood Spinal Unit, Burwood Academy for Independent Living, Princess Margaret Hospital and the universities of Otago and Canterbury over a five year period.
Our goal is to provide arm rehabilitation patients, professionals and institutions with cost effective and enjoyable tools to accelerate transient rehabilitation time. This will lead to quicker reintegration into the community, cost effective outcomes for funders and enhanced tools for institutions and caregivers.
Principals
Dr Sunil Vather, Chief Executive
Sunil has over 20 years experience in taking new innovations and technology from research organisations into the global market.
His personal experience of working with technologists has made him aware of a wealth of new technology that will provide significant benefits to patients, health professionals, institutions, care givers and the community.
He recently negotiated a partnership agreement with IRL to license their technology and to convert the laboratory results into usable and easily available tools for the rehabilitation sector.
Sunil’s qualifications include a D.Phil (Oxford), an MBA; and an Executive Development Programme diploma from Darden University, USA.
He is currently a consultant for US and NZ based organisations; Previously he was CEO of Building Research, General Manager at IRL and Director on the board of five companies.
He has participated in the establishment of 20 companies in the last 20 years and has licensed and sold products in Japan, USA, Canada, Australia, NZ, South Africa and India.
Geoff Todd, Marketing Director
Geoff has extensive and well recognized international skills at raising capital, purchase and sale of technology businesses, joint venture agreements and adding significant commercial value to technology projects.
As well as his role with Im-Able Ltd, Geoff is also currently CEO of Trinity Bioactives Ltd.
Previously he was CEO of technology companies HTS-110 Ltd and MPT Ltd, and was vice president, Quest Integrated, (USA).
He was General Manager Business Development at IRL for over 10 years.
When his father suffered multiple strokes, he became acutely and personally aware of the need for enhanced tools for patients and caregivers in this sector. Geoff is committed to enabling affordable and innovation-led technology advances to become available to the rehabilitative sector.Advisors
Chris Bossley was an eminent orthopaedic and hand surgeon (now retired), and co-author of Bone and Joint Decade’s “The Crippling Burden”.
Dr Neeta Haribhai is a general practitioner with over 15 years experience in New Zealand and South Africa. Neeta has worked closely with senior citizens and trauma patients.
Dr Mahat Vather is a general practitioner with over 25 years experience.
Dr Dipika Patel is a a clinical Senior Lecturer in Ophthalmology at Auckland University.
Dr Paul Davis will provide medical advice, product development assistance and market support.
Brian Langham is a marketing communications specialist, with 20 years experience of working within the science and technology research sector.
Associates and Partners
Industrial Research Limited (IRL), a government-owned science and technology organisation comprised of 300 technologists (130 with doctorate degrees)
- IRL’s Assistive Devices Team:
Led by Mr Marcus King (engineer), supported by Dr J Hijmans (human movement specialist), Mr Michael Sampson (physiotherapist), and Dr Lan LeNgoc (engineer)
The team has developed a range of rehabilitative products over a five-year period and is strongly committed to their development and application.
- Marcus has direct access to 250 technologists at IRL.
- Both Im-Able’s founding shareholders have worked closely with the IRL team in different roles for over 15 years.
Industrial Research limited has associations with:
- Burwood Institute of Independent Living
- Princess Margaret Hospital
- University of Canterbury
- University of Otago
- ITRI (government owned research establishment in Taiwan)
- Stickmen Studios
