L to R: Dr Michael Wilson, Senior Vice President and Head of Research at CSL; Associate Professor Remy Robert from the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute; and Dr Jarrat Jordan, Research Therapeutic Area Lead, Immunology at CSL
Monash University has entered into a licensing agreement with CSL, marking a significant outcome that reflects the University's ambition and growing success in research translation and industry engagement.
As Australia's largest biotechnology company, CSL plays a central role in the national life sciences ecosystem.
Under the agreement, CSL has in-licensed a Monash-originated antibody therapeutic program focused on immune-mediated diseases, following a research collaboration established through CSL's external innovation efforts to accelerate scientific discoveries.
Immune-mediated diseases can occur when an immune response has an adverse effect on your body instead of, or in addition to, defending it.
The program originated in the laboratory of Associate Professor Remy Robert at the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and was selected by CSL for an industry-funded collaboration designed to accelerate promising academic research toward development. Following completion of the research collaboration, CSL elected to exercise its option to license the program, with the licence executed in December 2025.
Dr Ingmar Wahlqvist, Acting Chief Commercialisation Officer at Monash University, said the agreement demonstrates Monash's ambition and strength in working with industry.
"This licensing agreement is a strong example of how intellectual property developed at Monash can progress toward potential new therapies for patients, while also supporting a sustainable model for reinvestment in future research," Dr Wahlqvist said.
"In particular, our licensing agreement with CSL underscores the tangible outcomes that can be achieved by strengthening local research-industry connections and investing in Australia's research infrastructure."
Associate Professor Remy Robert said the licence reflects the strength of long-term collaboration between researchers and industry.
"This program has evolved over many years through close engagement with CSL – seeing it transition from a research collaboration into a licensing agreement highlights what can be achieved through sustained, trust-based relationships," Associate Professor Robert said.
Dr Alison Greenway, Associate Dean and Senior Director, Enterprise and Partnership, in Monash's Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, said "through the research initiative funded by CSL, the Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences has been able to deepen scientific collaboration, accelerate development pathways, and create a framework for sustained innovation. We look forward to building on this momentum together."
Dr Michael Wilson, Senior Vice President and Head of Research at CSL, said the agreement builds on CSL's longstanding relationship with Monash University.
"Our early-stage research collaboration with Monash University reflects our commitment to fostering innovation through strategic partnerships, particularly in areas of focus like immune disorders," Dr Wilson said. "By working closely with leading academic partners, we strive to accelerate the translation of cutting-edge research into impactful therapies for patients. This new licensing agreement allows us to build on the strong foundation established through the CSL Research Acceleration Initiative and take that work to the next stage."
