Global investors back Perth startup

Perth-based veterinary technology company Vedi has secured $3 million to expand its digital medical record platform for pets.

The veterinary care company was founded by Dr Steve Joslyn in 2017 and is used by industry giants such as Petstock, Vetwest and Vetpath.

Vedi created the digital medical record platform and data collection tools which enables vets to access health records through the animal’s microchip.

Vets can record and upload data through simple tools such as using a smart phone camera to take photos, which can be stored on the animal’s file and updated throughout its lifetime.

More than 78,000 people use the service, including records for almost 70,000 pets.

NYSE-listed pharmaceutical company Merck & Co’s subsidiary MSD Animal Health and Companion Funds have invested a total $3 million into the start-up business for the expansion of the service across Australia and into the UK. 

Vedi chief executive Dr Steve Joslyn the service was creating a more connected pet healthcare system.

“Vedi is radically improving the quality and accessibility of veterinary health data and creating a smarter, connected healthcare system,” he said.

“Vets have been anticipating the move to modern, digitised veterinary care for so long.

“We’ve taken it upon ourselves to become the trusted medical record that connects different veterinary providers so animals can access the best quality care anytime, anywhere.”

MSD Animal Health lead of companion animal technology solutions Oleksiy Nagornyy said the company had supported Vedi from the early stages of their journey.

“We look forward to the growth and development of Vedi's microchip-enabled health record technology, which can bring more efficiency and accuracy in the management of health records to the veterinary community, while positively impacting the health and well-being of pets,” she said.

Companion Fund technical partner Cindy Cole said the Vedi’s technology was “very compelling”.

“By improving the accuracy of healthcare data, and allowing faster access, Vedi can dramatically enhance the efficiency and quality of the medical care delivered to our pets,” she said.

Dr Joslyn said the long-term prospects were “even more exciting”.

“Collecting better quality health data over an animal’s lifetime will open the doors to research opportunities, biosecurity programs and novel lifesaving treatments,” he said.

“Vedi means that soon animals and vets will have a better connected, streamlined healthcare system than the human world.”