Global immunology company argenx has entered into a new strategic partnership agreement with Monash University and Monash-originated spinout Myostellar, to develop novel first in class molecules for muscular therapeutic areas. This new agreement builds on the existing strategic research and innovation partnership between Monash and argenx from earlier this year and demonstrates both organisations' commitment to advancing novel scientific research in the interest of patients.
Myostellar was established in 2022 by Co-Founders Professor Peter Currie and Professor Mikaël Martino at the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI) within Monash University's Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (MNHS), with Dr Bo Yun as Chief Operating Officer.
In 2022 Myostellar received $500,000 through the inaugural funding round of Brandon Biocatalyst's CUREator program, Australia's national biotechnology incubator, to support the development of regenerative therapies for muscular dystrophies, alongside investment from Monash Investment Holdings. In 2025, it was one of the inaugural recipients of the Monash Ventures Pre-Seed Fund, a $15 million initiative developed by Monash University in partnership with Breakthrough Victoria.
Myostellar continues to be governed by Monash Investment Holdings nominee directors Dr Alison Greenway, Associate Dean and Senior Director, Enterprise and Partnerships, MNHS, and Dr Callum Benson, Investment Director, Monash Ventures.
argenx is a global immunology company committed to improving the lives of people living with severe autoimmune diseases. The company has a long-standing history and track record of partnering with leading academic and clinical researchers through its Immunology Innovation Program (IIP) to translate scientific breakthroughs into a portfolio of novel antibody-based medicines.
Professor Currie and Professor Martino said: "As researchers, our goal has always been to see our discoveries create meaningful impact for patients. We're proud to be partnering with argenx to help realise that ambition with the support of Monash's business and commercialisation teams."
Dr Andrea Huggins, Vice-President (Innovation and Commercialisation), said: "It's outstanding to see Myostellar's trajectory from company formation to early-stage investment and global industry partnership, informed by Monash's commercialisation talent and capabilities."
Dr Greenway said: "This research collaboration agreement with argenx represents a powerful endorsement of the depth of expertise, capability and globally recognised talent across medicine and health sciences at Monash."
Kathryn Evans, General Manager, Australia at argenx, said: "We're very pleased to further strengthen argenx's relationship with Monash through the new research collaboration, enabling us to access and deeply engage with Australia's world-class research community.
"Built on transparency, long-term commitment, and shared success, our Immunology Innovation Program reflects how argenx works best - side-by-side with collaborators, advancing science that has the potential to define what's possible for patients. We look forward to working with Monash and Myostellar and bringing together their scientific expertise with argenx's global development capabilities."
The agreement builds on the strategic research and innovation partnership between Monash and argenx announced in January 2026.
The earlier partnership brought together Monash research expertise and argenx's development capabilities to advance an antibody molecule in preclinical development.
