HITIQ (ASX: HIQ) and Shock Doctor launch PROTEQT smart mouthguards in global athlete safety push

HITIQ Limited (ASX: HIQ), the concussion-focused Australian healthcare technology developer, announced on June 12, 2025, that it has signed an exclusive global agreement with Shock Doctor, the world’s leading mouthguard brand. This long-anticipated partnership will facilitate the commercial rollout of HITIQ’s sensor-embedded PROTEQT instrumented mouthguards to both professional and community-level athletes across global markets.

The partnership combines HITIQ’s Nexus iMG sensor platform with Shock Doctor’s large-scale manufacturing capabilities and expertise in ergonomic mouthguard design. The co-branded product, incorporating both HITIQ and SHOCK logos, is now production-ready, with rollout already underway in select Australian sporting organisations including VAFA, AFL Barwon, and Westfield Sports High.

This collaboration is designed to support mass commercialisation with a goal to manufacture and distribute 20,000 units in 2025 and expand production to 100,000 units by 2026. The deal follows a two-year design and development phase led by Shock Doctor’s U.S. product development team in partnership with HITIQ’s Melbourne-based engineering and medical science divisions.

What is the PROTEQT mouthguard and how does it work?

The PROTEQT system integrates HITIQ’s Nexus iMG sensor into a boil-and-bite, self-fit mouthguard engineered by Shock Doctor. This device continuously monitors head impacts during sports activity and pairs the data with a proprietary concussion management framework that includes risk detection and a 7-day telehealth protocol based on the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT).

Built on a platform already validated by elite professional leagues such as the Australian Football League (AFL) and National Rugby League (NRL), the PROTEQT system is designed to support both elite and amateur athletes. By embedding impact-detection sensors directly into a form-fitting oral device, HITIQ’s design avoids many of the comfort and usability issues associated with helmet- or headband-based alternatives.

The sensor data is synchronised with HITIQ’s digital platform, offering real-time monitoring and post-impact insights to athletes, coaches, and medical staff. The telehealth module ensures early-stage support for recovery, helping to close a critical gap in community-level concussion management.

How Shock Doctor’s scale enables rapid market entry

Shock Doctor, with retail presence in over 20,000 global outlets and decades of experience in protective gear, was identified as the only viable manufacturing and distribution partner capable of integrating HITIQ’s sensor hardware into a commercially viable product for international rollout.

The resulting co-branded mouthguard has successfully completed production trials, confirming the integrity of the embedded electronics and user comfort. According to both firms, this agreement sets a new global standard for athlete safety and opens the door for PROTEQT to serve as a benchmark technology across contact sports disciplines.

Jay Turkbas, Senior Vice President of Product Development at Shock Doctor, said that his team welcomed the challenge of developing the physical structure needed to house HITIQ’s sensor array. He added that the outcome represented a “groundbreaking solution” that will allow scalable concussion monitoring without compromising comfort or performance.

What experts are saying about HITIQ’s commercialisation strategy

Executive Chair Earl Eddings described the agreement as “a defining moment” for HITIQ’s strategic evolution. According to his statement, the integration of PROTEQT technology into Shock Doctor’s global manufacturing system creates a complete and scalable pathway to deliver precision concussion management to millions of athletes worldwide.

Market analysts who have tracked HITIQ’s journey since its ASX listing note that this is the first clear inflection point in the commercialisation of the Nexus platform. With regulatory validation including World Rugby approval and a U.S. patent in place, the agreement effectively de-risks the hardware production component of HITIQ’s business model.

From an investor perspective, the partnership may serve as a credibility milestone, offering third-party validation of the firm’s technology and aligning it with a trusted global consumer brand. This positioning could support additional institutional engagement in future rounds of capital raising.

Financial and capital market context for HITIQ Limited

As of June 12, 2025, HITIQ Limited holds a market capitalisation of approximately AUD 8.02 million, with shares trading flat at AUD 0.02 per unit. The healthcare technology firm ranks 1,867 out of 2,322 on the ASX and is 183rd among 231 listed healthcare entities.

Despite its microcap status, HITIQ has delivered an 11.11% return over the past year. Trading volume remains modest, with 484,742 shares traded on the day of the announcement. The company does not currently issue a dividend and has a price-to-earnings ratio of zero, indicating pre-profit status.

Concurrently, HITIQ is pursuing a non-renounceable entitlement offer to raise up to AUD 2.92 million. The rights issue offers one new share for every three held, priced at AUD 0.022 per share. Each two shares subscribed will entitle the investor to one option, with an exercise price of AUD 0.022 and expiry set for December 30, 2028.

The capital raise is expected to support production scale-up, inventory buildout, and commercial readiness of the PROTEQT product line. The offer is scheduled to close at 5:00 PM AEST on June 20, 2025.

Why concussion management is gaining traction globally

Concussion injuries have come under increasing scrutiny from sports bodies, insurers, and regulators globally. From the National Football League’s CTE lawsuits in the United States to new school-level protocols in the United Kingdom and Australia, pressure is mounting to deploy evidence-based monitoring and recovery systems.

Unlike many helmet-based sensors that can suffer from displacement errors, oral device-based solutions like PROTEQT offer more stable data correlation and improved user compliance. The inclusion of a full telehealth recovery workflow further positions HITIQ’s offering as an end-to-end solution for concussion safety.

Strategic partners such as VAFA, AFL Barwon, and Westfield Sports High are already rolling out pilot deployments. Industry observers believe this could serve as a springboard for further partnerships across rugby, football, hockey, and other high-impact sports, especially in school and community settings.

Outlook: Can HITIQ scale concussion tech globally?

The success of HITIQ’s PROTEQT strategy will ultimately hinge on four key factors—manufacturing scale, policy integration, athlete adoption, and clinical validation. With production already underway and a trusted brand like Shock Doctor driving distribution, the manufacturing challenge appears addressed.

Future expansion may depend on embedding concussion management into league-level regulations and insurance requirements, a goal the HITIQ team is actively pursuing. Analysts expect that if community pilot programs show positive outcomes, HITIQ could begin positioning PROTEQT as a compliance-ready solution for leagues seeking to de-risk concussion exposure.

Investors will be monitoring the results of the entitlement offer and early feedback from distribution partners to determine whether the firm’s bold pivot toward consumer-grade safety technology can translate into recurring revenue and sustainable growth.