Micro-X Earns $1.6M From US Gov as Lab Bench Proves Full Body CT Tech Works
Micro-X secures $1.6M milestone payment as Full Body CT test bench completed
Micro-X Limited (ASX: MX1) has achieved Milestone 6 under its Development Agreement with the US Government’s Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), securing a $1.6M (US$1.14M) payment following completion of the first Full Body CT laboratory test bench. The milestone represents a meaningful derisking step for the program, which now transitions into critical design review and validation phases.
This achievement follows the recently completed preliminary design review, which confirmed system architecture and enabled the shift from early prototyping into full physical system development. The program is progressing through the balance of phase one during 2026.
What is a CT test bench and why does it matter?
A laboratory test bench is an engineering validation platform used to prove core system functionality before building clinical prototypes. It allows developers to test critical components, refine design parameters, and identify integration challenges in a controlled environment. This stage sits between preliminary design review and clinical readiness within the medical device development pathway.
For investors, the test bench phase provides tangible evidence that theoretical designs can be translated into functioning hardware. It derisks the program by validating that the fundamental technology works as intended before committing resources to full-scale clinical prototypes.
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ARPA-H partnership: Understanding Micro-X’s US Government contract
ARPA-H is the US Government’s Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, tasked with funding high-risk, high-reward medical technology development. Micro-X’s agreement operates on a milestone-based funding structure, where the company receives payments upon achieving defined technical objectives. This approach ties financial support directly to measurable progress.
The completion of Milestone 6 marks the sixth payment received under the contract, demonstrating consistent execution against program objectives.
| Milestone | Status | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Milestones 1-5 | Completed | Prior payments received |
| Milestone 6 | Completed | $1.6M (US$1.14M) |
| Phase 1 balance | In progress | Continuing through 2026 |
Government-backed milestone payments provide non-dilutive funding, which avoids shareholder dilution whilst delivering third-party validation of technical progress. Each completed milestone strengthens investor confidence in the program’s viability and Micro-X’s ability to execute.
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What comes next for the Full Body CT program
The Full Body CT program now enters its next phase focused on validating the test bench, refining system architecture, and strengthening the platform to support future clinical readiness. As acknowledged by the company, substantial development, validation and integration work remains as the program progresses through phase one this year.
The immediate development priorities are:
- Laboratory validation of the test bench
- System architecture refinement
- Platform strengthening for clinical readiness
Whilst the completion of the first Full Body CT laboratory test bench represents meaningful program derisking, investors should recognise that this is a novel, high-technology product with inherent development risks. The path from laboratory test bench to clinically validated system requires continued execution across multiple technical workstreams.
Micro-X’s broader product portfolio
The Full Body CT program represents one of four product applications within Micro-X’s portfolio, each targeting distinct markets. The diversified platform approach reduces single-product risk whilst leveraging the company’s proprietary cold cathode, carbon nanotube emitter technology across multiple revenue opportunities.
- Mobile digital radiology – healthcare, military, veterinary (commercialised)
- Airport security checkpoint – US Department of Homeland Security contract
- Brain CT imager – Australian Government Medical Research Future Fund funded
- Full Body CT – ARPA-H funded
The validation from multiple government agencies (US Department of Homeland Security, Australian Government, ARPA-H) across different applications demonstrates broad institutional confidence in Micro-X’s core technology platform. This diversified approach provides multiple pathways to revenue whilst the Full Body CT program continues through development phases.
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