News

23 December 2021
Opinion: Why Australia needs a national biomedical incubator – Simon Wilkins
From the first broadly shared sequence of SARS‑CoV‑2 to being at the leading edge of developing novel treatments, Australia’s medical research and biotech sector has punched above its weight in handling the disruption wrought by this pandemic. And disruptions haven’t come much bigger than COVID-19! Tragically, the loss of life and livelihoods we have witnessed […]
30 November 2021
Q-Sera enters exclusive agreement with Terumo Corporation for RAPClot™ rapid serum blood collection tube technology in Japan
Q-Sera Pty Ltd, an Australian venture-backed company, today announced a partnership with Terumo Corporation, the leading Japanese medical device company, which will see its patent protected RAPClot™ rapid serum tube technology manufactured and used in Japan. RAPClot™ serum tubes (evacuated blood collection tubes) produce high quality serum in less than five minutes, reducing the turnaround […]
27 November 2021
Healthy Outlook: Where your super is invested
A nasal spray to prevent Covid-19, a pill to put Type 2 diabetes into remission and a wireless pacemaker are among the game-changing clinical trials funded through superannuation contributions The trials are funded by Brandon Capital’s Medical Research Commercialisation Fund, a unique collaboration between Statewide Super and other major Australian superannuation funds, the Australian and […]
24 November 2021
Silicon Valley pacemaker hopes to capture Aussie hearts with ASX float
Silicon Valley pacemaker startup EBR Systems expects Australia’s strong research focus on heart disease will be a fertile environment to develop the products it hopes will solve one of the world’s biggest global health problems. EBR, which is working on a new kind of “leadless” pacemaker system called WISE, listed on the ASX on Wednesday […]
23 November 2021
Aussie investor love affair with healthcare continues with EBR Systems’ AU$110m ASX IPO
EBR Systems’ WiSE technology is world’s first and only wireless, inside the left ventricle of the heart, pacing system for heart failure EBR’s planned AU$110m ASX initial public offering on 24th November 2021, strongly supported by new and existing institutional shareholders Capital to enable completion of pivotal study, targeting FDA submission for approval in 2023 […]
19 November 2021
Hard WA border a boon for life sciences sector
WA’s tough border stance might make it difficult to find employees in many industries but for the State’s burgeoning life sciences sector, it’s had the opposite effect. Several companies in that space are reporting a “brain gain” as opposed to the much-feared “brain drain”, with new and developed talent returning to Perth before or during […]
11 November 2021
Life science researchers and entrepreneurs encouraged to seek investment from new $40m Australian biotech incubator
Expressions of interest open for Australia’s first, $40m MRFF-backed national biotech incubator, CUREator Dr Simon Wilkins announced as Head of Operations of CUREator, joining from the University of Melbourne, where he was Co-founder and Director of Translating Research at Melbourne (TRAM) Australian biotech researchers and entrepreneurs are being encouraged to apply for funding from Australia’s […]
29 September 2021
Glyscend Therapeutics Announces Initiation of Phase 1 Clinical Trial on the Heels of Preclinical Data Presented at EASD 2021 on the Metabolic Benefits of its Oral Polymer-based Duodenal Exclusion Therapy
Phase 1 clinical trial currently underway in Australia investigating a noninvasive, oral polymer therapy that dramatically improves glucose homeostasis with weight loss in nonclinical models. Glyscend, Inc. delivered an oral presentation highlighting preclinical data from a study of its oral proprietary polymer duodenal exclusion therapy during the 57th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the […]
28 September 2021
First-in-Class, Broad-Spectrum Nasal Spray to Prevent COVID-19 and Other Common Respiratory Illnesses Set to Begin Phase 2 Trials
— ENA Respiratory engages PPD, Inc. for Phase 2 COVID-19 post-exposure prophylaxis study and hVIVO for influenza challenge study to assess the efficacy of fast-acting nasal spray designed to boost innate immunity ENA Respiratory, a biotechnology company developing a first-in-class nasal spray for the prevention of COVID-19 and other respiratory viral infections, announced today that […]
23 September 2021
Drug repurposing is no panacea in race to treat COVID-19
Drug repurposing is no quick fix for developing new treatments for disease, including COVID-19, and there are inherent dangers and pitfalls with translating drugs such as chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin and similar compounds to treat COVID-19, say a team of experts. The potential challenges and opportunities with drug repurposing are highlighted in a paper authored by […]
16 September 2021
Allay Therapeutics Completes Oversubscribed $60M Financing to Advance Ultra-Sustained Pain Platform
Financing led by Arboretum Ventures. Managing Partner Nicole J. Walker to join Allay Therapeutics Board of Directors ATX-101 to advance to Phase 2b development in total knee replacement surgeries in 2021 Financing will also support broader development of ATX platform for ultra-sustained pain relief Allay Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering ultra-sustained analgesic products to […]
15 September 2021
Hope offered to Australians suffering from a rare incurable fibrotic autoimmune disease, as clinical trials on new treatment commence
Melbourne biotech company, Certa Therapeutics, seeks patients with Diffuse Systemic Scleroderma, a debilitating chronic autoimmune disease, to participate in clinical trials in Melbourne and Adelaide Melbourne man, who received diagnosis on birthday, says Scleroderma is a ‘relentless beast that never lets you go’, that pushed him into an early retirement, but new trials and research […]
7 September 2021
Azura Ophthalmics Appoints Biopharma Industry Veteran Steven Altschuler, M.D. as Chair of the Board
Azura Ophthalmics Ltd., a clinical-stage company developing innovative therapies for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) and related eye diseases, today announced the appointment of Steven M. Altschuler, M.D., as chair of its board of directors. Dr. Altschuler brings over 20 years of experience building, scaling and leading world-class healthcare and biotechnology companies. He currently serves as […]
23 August 2021
‘New dawn’ for biotech with taxpayer-funded incubator
The pandemic is steering the venture capital lens away from shorter-term sugar hits found in the technology sector in a “new dawn” for the local life science and biotech fields, one of Australia’s pioneering investors says. Bill Ferris – who founded CPE Capital in 1970 and now chairs the Brandon Capital-managed Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MCRF) – […]
23 August 2021
Australia’s first national biotech incubator established with $40m MRFF investment
Australia’s first national biotech incubator is to be established with $40m funding from the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and will be run by the Brandon Capital-managed Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF). The Australian biotech incubator has been established to provide a critical bridge in the translation of promising research into revolutionary new […]
19 August 2021
Global Kinetics Enters Remote Monitoring Business and Appoints New U.S. Commercial Leadership
Global Kinetics Pty Ltd (GK) announced today it has entered the Remote Physiologic Monitoring (RPM) space in the U.S. market with its unique system for monitoring Parkinson’s disease (PD), the Personal KinetiGraph® (PKG®).  The PKG system is an FDA 510(k) cleared system that features a wearable biosensor for patients to use in their home environment […]
13 August 2021
Federal Government backs MRCF-led program to support women into top STEM leadership positions with $1m funding
The Brandon Capital managed-Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF), in partnership with WILD Program founders, receives funding to roll out the Program nationally The MRCF-led Women in Leadership Development (WILD) Program, established to increase female participation in the most senior STEM leadership positions, has received over $1 million from the Department of the Prime Minister and […]
3 August 2021
Adelaide Type 2 Diabetes researchers zero in on an ‘operation in a pill’
Adelaide researchers are recruiting volunteers to test “an operation in a pill” — a tablet to put type 2 diabetes into remission. Described as the Holy Grail of diabetes research, the pill will be tested on 64 healthy adult volunteers at CMAX in the CBD. The program is now seeking volunteers — who do not […]
3 August 2021
Glyscend Therapeutics commences South Australia Phase I clinical trial to progress new type 2 diabetes treatment
Positive preclinical data suggests that Glyscend’s unique pill, mimicking gastric bypass surgery, will prove effective in treating type 2 diabetes An orally administered type 2 diabetes (T2D) therapy, which could mirror the astonishing effect of gastric bypass surgery in improving sugar control in diabetes patients, will commence recruitment for a Phase I clinical trial in […]
14 July 2021
Promising Australian COVID-19 preventative nasal spray commences Sydney Phase I clinical trial, seeks participants
First-in-class, fast-acting nasal spray designed to boost innate immunity against respiratory viruses including COVID-19, influenza and the common cold, seeks participants for first in-human safety trial in Sydney Australian biotech, ENA Respiratory, recently secured AU$32 million investment to clinically develop its therapy, INNA-051 INNA-051 reduced COVID-19 replication by up to 96 percent in gold-standard, peer-reviewed, […]
12 July 2021
George Medicines appoints Dr Charmaine Gittleson as Non-Executive Director
George Medicines, a late-stage drug development company focused on providing innovative and accessible medicines for the world’s leading causes of death, today announces the appointment of Dr Charmaine Gittleson to the Board as Independent Non-Executive Director. Dr Gittleson has extensive international experience as a pharmaceutical physician and enterprise leader. Prior to joining the Board of […]
8 July 2021
Brandon Capital leads $14m investment to develop new cancer drug
A new spinout from the University of Otago has secured $14 million in backing to help develop a new kind of targeted cancer drug in the emerging field of RNA therapy. The Amaroq Therapeutics team, led by chief scientific officer and founder Dr Sarah Diermeier, are pioneers in exploring the use of long non-coding RNA […]
8 July 2021
$14m invested in world-leading RNA therapy: University of Otago spinout targeting new cancer treatments
Amaroq Therapeutics, a new biotech start-up spun out of the University of Otago, with one of the world’s most advanced programs in next-generation RNA therapy to target cancer has secured NZ$14m investment to accelerate development. The study of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), often referred to as “dark matter” of the genome, are molecules naturally present […]
1 July 2021
George Medicines initiates two Phase III trials of triple combination candidate to treat hypertension
Novel proprietary triple low-dose combination pill has been shown to outperform traditional blood pressure treatments without additional side effects in earlier clinical research Lead candidate in Company’s pipeline of proprietary fixed-dose combination therapies targeting high unmet need in large patient populations suffering from non-communicable diseases such as CVD and Diabetes George Medicines, a late-stage drug […]
28 June 2021
Brandon Capital, Uniseed back cancer biotech start-up in $10m funding
A Melbourne-based start-up spun out of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre has raised $10 million for the further development of its novel cancer immunotherapy that targets solid tumours such as breast and pancreatic cancers. The Brandon Capital Partners-managed Medical Research Commercialisation Fund led the investment into biotech Currus Biologics, along with university commercialisation fund Uniseed, The fresh […]
28 June 2021
$10m invested into start-up developing new treatments targeting the use of CAR-T cell therapies against solid tumours
Cancer biotech start-up, Currus Biologics, is utilising its proprietary BEAT technology as a combination therapy with CAR-T cells targeting the treatment of solid tumours $10 million Series A investment received from leading life science Venture Capital investors Brandon Capital-managed Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF) and Uniseed Currus Biologics, a Melbourne-based cancer biotech start-up, has completed […]
22 June 2021
Ena Respiratory raises $24M to trial COVID-19 nasal spray
Ena Respiratory has raised up to $32 million Australian dollars ($24 million) to fund clinical development of a nasal spray designed to prevent COVID-19. The product, INNA-051, delivers a TLR2/6 agonist to upregulate innate immune responses in airway epithelial cells and thereby help suppress the coronavirus. While vaccines are bringing protection against COVID-19 to the masses, […]
21 June 2021
Forrest backs nasal spray play in fight against COVID-19
Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation is partly financing a new $32 million funding round for a nasal spray start-up that says it can help the fight against COVID-19. Ena Respiratory also secured backing from biotech investors Brandon Capital and Uniseed for the round. The capital will help develop its INNA-051 spray, which is due to start human studies […]
16 June 2021
Australian spinout eyes the clinic with a prophylactic nasal spray for Covid-19
Whether patients are immunocompromised or just don’t like needles, one fledgling Australian biotech says it has an alternative to Covid-19 vaccines that doesn’t involve a jab in the arm — and on Tuesday, it pulled in a fresh round of funding to take it into the clinic. ENA Respiratory, which spun out of ENA Therapeutics […]
15 June 2021
ENA Respiratory Advances COVID-19 Preventative Therapy through AU$32 Million Fund Raise
Round jointly led by Brandon Capital and Minderoo Foundation with co-investment from Uniseed will support the clinical development of INNA-051 Company appoints President and Chief Scientific Officer of the COPD Foundation and respiratory therapy expert Ruth Tal-Singer, Ph.D. to Board of Directors ENA Respiratory, a biotechnology company developing a first-in-class nasal spray for the prevention […]
3 June 2021
George Medicines appoints Stefan König as Chief Executive Officer
Mr König joins to lead late-stage drug development company developing proprietary fixed dose combination therapies for non-communicable diseases US FDA grants IND authorization to commence Phase III trials with triple combination candidate for the treatment of hypertension Chief Business Officer, Karl Roberts, appointed to new role of Chief Operating Officer George Medicines, a late-stage drug […]
3 June 2021
Preclinical studies from Vaxxas and Collaborators Reveal Potential of Vaxxas’ Novel High-Density Microarray Patch (HD-MAP) to Effectively Deliver SARS-CoV-2 Spike Vaccine
Vaccination via HD-MAP induced enhanced T-cell and spike-specific antibody responses as compared to needle-and-syringe delivery of the same vaccine in an animal model Complete protection from COVID-19 disease by a single dose skin patch delivery using Vaxxas’ HD-MAP was demonstrated in a lethal challenge of the SARS-COV-2 virus in an animal model Serum antibody levels […]
26 May 2021
Researcher rewards needed to fuel biotech boom
The newest board member of Australia’s largest life sciences fund says the country must develop ways to entice researchers to commercialise their work if the industry is going to produce future biotech giants like CSL and Cochlear. Kylie Diwell, who has recently joined the board of the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund and works as a […]
23 May 2021
‘No amount could be enough’: Calls for Canberra to back biotech, as medtech firms await funding
One of the nation’s most experienced biotechnology investors has urged the federal government to do more to support the sector, as medical technology companies await funding to flow from a $1.5 billion scheme to boost manufacturing in Australia. The life sciences industry cheered the $1.5 billion “Modern Manufacturing Strategy” when it was outlined last October, […]
14 May 2021
Adelaide’s BioMed City is attracting strong clinical trial interest as its critical mass continues to grow
There has been a 50 per cent increase in clinical trials in Adelaide as a result of the state’s safe-haven status throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the general manager of Adelaide BioMed City says. Yvette van Eenennaam, who is also chair of the SA Genomics Centre, said the $3.8 billion precinct at the western end of […]
13 May 2021
Allay Therapeutics Launches with First Clinical Data to Demonstrate Weeks of Pain Relief with Ultra-Sustained Non-Opioid Platform
First clinical data to demonstrate non-opioid pain relief lasting two weeks after one administration, where current post-surgical pain products are effective for a maximum of three days Significant reductions in pain and opioid usage relative to standard of care – Clinical candidate for support of total knee replacement surgery, ATX-101, to move into Phase 2b […]
12 May 2021
Tax breaks tipped to trigger innovation boom
The country’s innovation giants say tax breaks for profits generated on local intellectual property will nurture high-value, local jobs and foster new companies, despite Australia still offering significantly weaker incentives than countries such as Britain and Singapore. Australia joins 24 other countries with patent box schemes, which offer lower tax rates on profits generated from […]
12 May 2021
First REDI Fellowships Awarded to Boost Medical Research Commercialisation Capabilities
MTPConnect is pleased to announce that researchers in South Australia and Queensland have been selected as the first two fellows from the REDI (Researcher Exchange and Development within Industry) Fellowship Program. The program provides financial support to Australian, international and/or multinational medical technology or pharmaceutical (MTP) companies to bring the best talent in-house for up […]
11 May 2021
‘IP Box’ regime would keep vaccines here
Australia may have been better prepared to deal with the COVID-19 crisis if the federal government implemented an “IP Box” tax incentive scheme that encouraged biotech manufacturers to base much of their operations here, a top intellectual property lawyer says. Kylie Diwell, a director of the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund and partner at Minter Ellison, […]
11 May 2021
Researchers cannot be expected to commercialise their innovations alone says leading IP lawyer and new MRCF Board member
Researchers cannot be expected to commercialise their inventions alone and their ability to access a skilled team in early-stage life science commercialisation dramatically boosts success, says one of Australia’s leading intellectual property and commercialisation lawyers, Kylie Diwell. Ms Diwell, partner at MinterEllison, has been appointed to the Board of the Brandon Capital managed Medical Research […]
3 May 2021
FDA fast-tracks Australian breast cancer technology
An Australian imaging device about the size of an electric toothbrush that could save breast cancer patients from going under the knife multiple times has been fast-tracked by the US Food and Drug Administration. West Australian medical technology company OncoRes is ­behind the ­device that uses new technology to make real-time ­tumour assessments and help […]
3 May 2021
FDA grants Australian breast cancer innovation ‘Breakthrough Device Designation’ status
OncoRes Medical has received ‘Breakthrough Device Designation’ from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite development of its Quantitative Micro-Elastography (QME) Imaging System. This innovative technology is designed to facilitate real-time tumour assessment to help surgeons more accurately identify and remove cancerous tissue—an approach that could substantially improve outcomes in breast-conserving surgery (BCS) […]
28 April 2021
R&D tax credits yet to meet targets
The government’s research and development tax incentive scheme (RDTI) appears to be doing better than its predecessor, but not nearly as well as was hoped. Software companies, in particular, remain unimpressed. New Zealand Software Association president Roger Ford sees New Zealand as a country of adapters as much as innovators. “[New Zealanders are] more likely to […]
22 April 2021
Strong quarter for Osprey with continued growth in units and revenue
Osprey Medical Inc. (ASX:OSP) (Osprey or the Company) today released its Appendix 4C – Quarterly Cash Flow Report for the period ending 31 March 2021 (1Q 2021 or the Quarter). Key Highlights • Group: COVID recovery continues with worldwide units sold up 14% and revenue up 21% on previous quarter • US: Lean expansion with […]
16 April 2021
NZ clinical trial boom post-Covid slowly but surely emerging
Despite slow Covid recovery globally, enquiries for future NZ trials hit 10-year high. The Covid clinical trial boom that seemed inevitable for a healthcare system virtually untouched by a global pandemic has been slow to materialise, but industry stalwarts say it’s still on the horizon. The Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry found in the […]
15 April 2021
World’s First Leadless Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing Implant Utilizing EBR Systems’ WiSE CRT System
Prof Pascal Defaye of CHU de Grenoble-Alpes performed world first Leadless LBBAP implant. EBR Systems, Inc., developer of the world’s only wireless cardiac pacing system for heart failure, today announced that Professor Pascal Defaye, Head of Rhythmology and Cardiac Stimulation Unit, CHU de Grenoble-Alpes, France, performed the world’s first successful Leadless Left Bundle Branch Area […]
9 April 2021
VC Land Podcast: Shining a light on biotech with Brandon Capital
The VC Land Podcast connects you with some of the leading players in Australia’s growing venture capital (VC) market. Hosted by news media and PR veteran, CEO of Mojomedia.com.au, Justin Kelly, we chat to leading VCs on how to get started, what it takes to build a successful business, how to overcome challenges, and advice for […]
16 March 2021
Tech leaders call for national plan, software R&D and IP tax cuts
Australia has survived the COVID-19 crisis in admirable fashion, but is at risk of squandering its advantage unless more steps are taken to propel the nation’s fast-growing technology sector, according to industry leaders. The sector proved to be one of the most resilient throughout the pandemic, with venture capital funding deployed in start-ups soaring to […]
12 March 2021
ANDHealth inks deal with US health insurance giant
ANDHealth has penned a partnership with the innovation arm of the second-largest health insurer in the United States, Anthem, Inc, opening a new path for local digital start-ups to enter the market. The tie-up between Anthem Digital Incubator and ANDHealth, a non-profit digital health accelerator business, means Australian start-ups that often lack the expertise to expand […]
8 March 2021
Azura heads for final studies for world-first dry eye treatment
Brandon Capital-backed biotech start-up Azura Opthalmics has made a big leap towards creating the world’s first treatment for a type of dry eye disease, publishing promising phase two clinical trial results last week. Most of the treatments available for dry eye, such as artificial teardrops, moisten the surface of the eye. But for 85 per […]
8 March 2021
Women in science: Tackling gender diversity in top jobs
Women are underrepresented in the top jobs of science and tech. A new programme is trying to fix that. Maria Jose Alvarez was pitching her agritech start-up to a group of investors when they cut her off with questions. Not for her, but for her male co-founder standing off to the side. “I was presenting, […]
4 March 2021
Remove red tape to speed new drugs to market, says research CEO
The chief executive of the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund says red tape impeding drug development should be removed to allow faster pathways to reimbursement and save more lives. Chris Nave, managing director of Brandon Capital, said the rapid pace of development of the COVID-19 vaccines has shown that the world can supercharge development times. Brandon manages the $700 million […]
4 March 2021
Promising new potential treatment for leading cause of Dry Eye Disease a step closer as Azura Ophthalmics announces positive results in Phase 2 Program
Azura Ophthalmics moves into registration studies following positive Phase 2 Program results which could see its treatment for Meibomian gland disfunction – the leading cause of Dry Eye Disease – complete its first registration study by early next year Azura Ophthalmics Ltd., a clinical-stage company developing innovative therapies for Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), today announces […]
2 March 2021
Industry-led leadership programme launched to support women into more top science and innovation roles
Brandon Capital Partners launches the WILD Programme with the Kiwi Innovation Network – 10 women on first intake A new industry-led programme, Women in Leadership Development (WILD), has been launched to increase the number of women holding top positions in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) roles in New Zealand. The first intake of 10 […]
22 January 2021
OncoRes Medical receives $150,000 funding boost from Western Australian Government
Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly today announced the McGowan Government will invest $150,000 in funding from the New Industries Fund into Western Australian-based medical device start-up OncoRes Medical to enhance R&D capability and create local jobs at their Nedlands-based facility. OncoRes Medical CEO, Dr Katharine Giles, said the funding will support OncoRes Medical’s continued […]

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