The $33 million BioMedTech incubator (BMTI) program delivered by Brandon BioCatalyst's CUREator has opened its first funding round and is seeking expressions of interest from early-stage Australian biotech startups developing novel therapies with strong commercial potential across the discovery, preclinical, and clinical development stages.
Funded by the Australian Government's $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) through the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the CUREator BMTI program is delivered in partnership with Australia's national science agency, CSIRO.
CUREator is designed to accelerate the translation of Australian biotech innovations into therapies that address unmet medical needs, with successful applicants receiving between $1 million and $5 million in non-dilutive funding per project.
Using a unique model to prepare teams for the discipline expected by private capital and to ensure investment is directed to the most promising projects, funding will be released in tranches tied to mutually agreed milestones, with high-performing programs able to apply for top-up funding.
In the first stage, $1 million to $1.5 million is available for preclinical projects, and $1 million to $2.5 million is available for clinical projects. In the second stage, high-performing projects are eligible to seek Top Up Funding, with total support being capped at up to $5 million per project.
Dr Chris Nave, Brandon BioCatalyst Founder and CEO, said: "In just four years, CUREator-supported companies have attracted more than $150 million in external investment capital, with 10,000 patients benefiting through clinical trials and implementation. It's a growing alumni with runs on the board, and we're excited to welcome the next wave of Australian innovators into our Incubator to build on that momentum."
Beyond funding, companies gain mentorship, technical support, and access to global industry leaders, building the skills and connections needed to attract investment and advance to market.
Professor Susie Nilsson, Research Director for the Biomedical Manufacturing Program at CSIRO, said: "By bridging research and clinical translation, the CUREator BioMedTech incubator program will deliver life-saving therapies and technologies – driving real impact for patients and strengthening Australia's biotech and medtech sectors."
CUREator is also expanding opportunities for applicants through new collaborations with global pharmaceutical leaders. For the first time, applicants will be able to opt-in to have their Expression of Interest reviewed by AbbVie and CSL for their respective programs via a single application.
AbbVie's Green & Gold Innovation Award
Having successfully run similar award programs across Europe, Japan and the United States, AbbVie Ventures is now launching its Green & Gold program in Australia with up to US$1 million (AU$1.5 million) to support early-stage Australian biotech small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Green & Gold awardees will receive up to $250,000 in equity investment, with the potential for top-up investments of up to $500,000 for high-performing biotech companies across immunology, oncology, neuroscience, obesity and aesthetics therapeutic areas.
Christian Schubert, VP, AbbVie Ventures, said: "We are dedicated to investing in science, people and ecosystems to shape tomorrow's cures, driven by today's innovators. With AbbVie's Green & Gold Innovation Award, we look forward to supporting novel ideas that could lead to transformational medicines for patients in Australia and around the world."
CSL's Research Acceleration Initiative (RAI)
The CSL Research Acceleration Initiative (RAI) is a global program designed to fast-track innovative discoveries, with awardees entering into a partnership with CSL that provides world-class scientists with up to US$400,000 in non-dilutive funding over two years to support preclinical research programs.
RAI awardees will also gain access to CSL's global network of industry experts to advance discoveries in key research areas of high unmet medical need, including immunology and transplant, hematology, cardiorenal and immunoglobulins. CSL has established 39 RAI partnerships with scientists around the world to date.
Dr Marthe D'Ombrain, Executive Director & Head Research External Innovation at CSL says that partnering with Brandon BioCatalyst's CUREator program will help accelerate the translation of Australia's world-class biomedical research into therapies that address real and urgent patient needs.
"CSL's Research Acceleration Initiative is dedicated to supporting early-stage opportunities and is one of many ways we provide innovators with the resources and expert guidance needed to advance promising biomedical discoveries toward real-world impact. Our collaboration reflects a shared commitment to supporting the next generation of biotech leaders and delivering meaningful impact for patients, the sector, and the broader community," says Dr D'Ombrain.
While voluntarily accessed through a single application, the CUREator, AbbVie Green & Gold and CSL RAI awards remain separate programs, each with its own independent assessment process.
