South Australia's Ellex a leader in developing, making, exporting eye treatment devices; sold to Lumibird in 2020
Ellex emerged in 1990 and evolved from making two ophthalmic laser products in its Halifax Steet, Adelaide, factory to its Mawson Lakes headquarters and manufacturing plant.
South Australia’s Ellex Lasers & Ultrasound, a global leader in making and exporting medical devices, researching and developing ophthalmic laser technology over 30 years from 1990, was sold to French company, Lumibird Group, in 2020.
Ellex had its origins from a small scientific laser company founded by Victor Previn in 1985 as a division of Quentron Electronics, it drew on technology from the state’s defence industry at Salisbury and the medical insight of its universities. Its first ophthalmic product, a photodisruptor system under the Laserex brand, was launched in 1988.
Ellex emerged in 1990 and evolved from making two products in its Halifax Street, Adelaide, factory to its present Mawson Lakes headquarters and manufacturing plant, employing more than 150 people, including engineers, researchers, technicians and operators. It made devices to diagnose and treat glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, secondary cataract, age-related macular degeneration and vitreous opacities. More than 30,000 Ellex laser and ultrasound systems would be used around the world.
In 2001, Ellex was listed on the Australian stock exchange but, after a downturn in the ophthalmic laser industry, it was exposed to the fortunes of its manufacturing partners. It started three years of research and development of its products and, in 2006, announced that all would be branded under the Ellex name. Also that year, Ellex bought Innovative Imaging, a designer and maker of ophthalmic diagnostic ultrasound systems, as Ellex’s first move outside of laser products.
More than 90% of Ellex products were sold offshore, with direct sales offices in Japan and the United States, but most of its staff were in South Australia.
Ellex held core patents to boost its laser technologies. Its closeness to the University of South Australia’s Future Industries Institute at Mawson Lakes gave access to engineering and innovative students and on-site research and development staff, and the ability to test equipment, technologies and intellectual property.
