medical research companies in melbourne

Research Organisations

Comprising of more than 13 major medical research institutes, eleven teaching hospitals and nine universities, Victoria is home to Australia’s largest bioscience research community.

A number of well-known national and international research organisations are based in Victoria.

Medical Research Organisations in Victoria

Australian Genome Research Facility – is an efficient state-of-the-art facility for the collection of molecular genetic information covering large-scale DNA sequencing, genotyping, microarraying, agricultural genomic services and other resources for the genetic and physical mapping of chromosomes, mutation detection and associated bioinformatic analysis.

Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute – tackles the deadly trio of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease through research, education and patient care.

Bio21 Institute for Molecular Science & Biotechnology – is a multidisciplinary research centre, specialising in medical, agricultural and environmental biotechnology.

Bionics Institute – is an independent, non-profit, medical research organisation.

Burnet Institute – The Burnet Institute is a leading Australian medical research and public health organisation focused on improving the health of disadvantaged and marginalised groups.

Centre for Eye Research Australia – The Centre brings together a body of dedicated medical researchers to improve the living conditions and lifestyles of thousands of people both in Australia and abroad who are now, or may in the future, be affected by vision impairment.

Epworth Research Institute – Epworth Research Institute (ERI) has built a reputation as a high quality medical research institute within the private teaching hospital environment. It fosters a vibrant research culture that is committed to excellence and values clinically relevant research that translates into better outcomes for patients here and around the world.

European Molecular Biology Laboratory – EMBL Australia was launched on 29th March 2010, making Australia the first Associate Member of EMBL. EMBL Australia provides Australian researchers access to EMBL through activities such as funded research positions, collaborative ventures and the formation of research institutes.

Institute for Breathing and Sleep – The Institute for Breathing and Sleep (IBAS) is an incorporated not-for-profit organisation designed to facilitate and coordinate research, education and public advocacy in respiratory and sleep health.

Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research – Established in April 2009, the Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR) is a joint initiative of WorkSafe Victoria, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and Monash University.

Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research – is a worldwide network of nine branches in seven countries dedicated to basic and clinical cancer research.

Mental Health Research Institute – mission is to further knowledge in mental health, behaviour and neuroscience.

Monash Institute of Medical Research – is committed to excellence in the performance of medical and biological research into the science of reproduction, development and growth.

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI) – conducts life-saving medical research and community health research for babies, children and adolescents.

National Ageing Research Institute Inc. – strives to be the centre of excellence in medical research (biological, clinical and service delivery) into the causes and consequences of ageing and its social accompaniments.

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) – Supporting health and medical research.

National Trauma Research Institute – The NTRI aims to prevent or limit the disabling effects of traumatic injuries through research and education in trauma care. National Vision Research Institute – Founded in 1972, NVRI pursues research in vision and the disorders of vision.

O’Brien Institute of Microsurgery – The Institute has made striking advances in the delicate craft of replantation surgery and the transfer by microsurgical techniques of body parts and tissue to reconstruct people maimed by trauma, cancer, burns and congenital deformity.

Orygen Youth Health – Orygen Youth Health Research Centre (OYH-RC) is Australia’s largest youth mental health research centre. Our research aims to understand the biological, psychological and social factors that influence mental illnesses in order to find better ways to prevent and/or reduce the impact of mental disorders for young people.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre – a premier resource for cancer patients in the provision of integrated treatment, research and education.

Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research – has maintained a reputation for excellence in the field of endocrinology (the study of hormones).

St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research – an enviable reputation within the global scientific community as one of the world’s premier medical research institutes, and is a shining example of Australian intellectual excellence and achievement.

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research – is one of Australia’s foremost medical research establishments, its mission being “mastery of disease through discovery”.

Teaching Hospitals in Victoria

The Alfred – Alfred Health is a leader in health care delivery, improvement, research and education. We strive to achieve the best possible health outcomes for our patients and our community by integrating clinical practice with research and education.

Austin Health – Austin Health is the major provider of tertiary health services, health professional education and research in the northeast of Melbourne. Austin Health is world-renowned for its research and specialist work in cancer, liver transplantation, spinal cord injuries, neurology, endocrinology, mental health and rehabilitation.

Barwon Health (Geelong Hospital) – The Geelong Hospital has a full suite of medical and surgical services, including cardiothoracic surgery and is one of the busiest hospitals in the state. It is a 406 bed general medical and surgical teaching hospital affiliated with The University of Melbourne and Deakin University with obstetric, paediatric and psychiatric beds.

Monash Medical Centre – Monash Medical Centre Clayton is a 640 bed teaching and research hospital of international standing providing a comprehensive range of specialist surgical, medical, allied health and mental health services to our community.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre – Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre is a world leader in cancer treatment, research and education. At Peter Mac we treat more cancer patients each year than any other hospital and our highly skilled medical, nursing and allied health team is backed by the largest cancer research group in Australia.

Royal Children’s Hospital – As the major paediatric hospital in Victoria, the Royal Children’s Hospital provides clinical, academic and advocacy services for children and young people throughout the state. It is internationally recognised as a leading centre for research and education. In its role as a leading paediatric teaching centre, the hospital has affiliations with the University of Melbourne and LaTrobe University and links with other universities in post graduate studies.

Royal Melbourne Hospital – The Royal Melbourne Hospital is one of Victoria’s leading public teaching hospitals, and operates across two campuses. The Royal Melbourne Hospital is a privileged member of Melbourne’s world-leading Parkville Precinct, and enjoys strong relationships with many of the city’s major universities and research institutes.

Royal Women’s Hospital – The Royal Women’s Hospital is Australia’s largest specialist obstetric, gynaecological and neonatal paediatric hospital. We have an outstanding international reputation for research advances and clinical developments.

Royal Victorian Eye and Ear – Proudly serving Victorians since 1863, the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital is a state-wide teaching, training and research health service. Specialising in eye, ear, nose and throat (ENT) medicine, it is Australia’s pre-eminent specialty eye and ear hospital.

St Vincent ’s Health – Education is one of the three core roles of St. Vincent’s, along with patient care and research. Most senior staff play an active role in teaching and training. A number of our senior staff hold professorial appointments with the University of Melbourne. While educating health professionals is a priority, St. Vincent’s supports staff at all levels to complete further study and training in their field of expertise.

Western Hospital – Western Health aims to provide work based education and training for Western Health staff and students which will support excellence in practice and career progression opportunity. Some of our training programs are also available as open programs for members of the health and local community.

Universities

Deakin University – By 2012, Deakin aims to have improved its research performance so that it is in the top third of the Australian higher education sector. The staff of Deakin University are responsible for its success. Their dedication to our students, to the research we conduct and to the communities we serve, will ensure the continued success of Deakin University.

Federation University Australia – Federation University Australia is an institution that combines teaching and research and especially one where teaching is informed by research. The university has moved, in a comparatively short period of time, to being research active. This is a credit to the University’s leaders, the staff and the students. The quest is now to increase the University’s comparative performance. The University continues to focus its research in those areas that both serve and benefit the region and the Institute for Regional and Rural Research and Innovation (IRRRI) leads that focus through its designated research centres.

La Trobe University – La Trobe’s research strategy encourages innovation, specialisation and collaboration. La Trobe is affiliated with the Biosciences Research Centre, the CRC for Plant Biosecurity, the CRC for Molecular Plant Breeding, the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre, the Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities, as well as Departments/Programs including Botany and Zoology.

Monash University – Monash University is committed to finding solutions for 21st Century challenges such as climate change, water shortage, cancer, diabetes, obesity and those posed by terrorism. With campuses and partnerships in Australia and overseas, Monash pursues knowledge and solutions from a global perspective.

RMIT University – We focus on applied research that is delivered in partnership with leading organisations and individuals who are capable of using research outcomes to create products and services that are leading edge. The passion, energy and intellect of our researchers is used to make a difference to the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of the communities we operate within here in Australia and internationally through innovative research and research excellence.

Swinburne University of Technology – A commitment to high quality, high impact research is ingrained in Swinburne University. Swinburne has made remarkable progress in research and intends to continue to foster its various areas of research focus – on its way to becoming an internationally respected research-intensive University of Technology. Swinburne actively encourages and values its international and industry connections and recognises that it is this that enriches and enhances the research efforts and careers of our academic staff and students alike.

University of Melbourne – The University of Melbourne is Australia’s second largest research organisation after the CSIRO. The Melbourne Research Office and the School of Graduate Studies are the two major central academic support groups which facilitate the responsible conduct of research through educational, preventive, and service activities.

Victoria University – At Victoria University we provide quality research training, and undertake specialised and cross-disciplinary research that is recognised in Australia and overseas. Our staff and research students are part of an innovative research community made up of University institutes, research centres and faculty research units that make a substantial contribution in their field. We actively pursue opportunities to collaborate with other researchers and organisations to develop innovative technologies that can also be commercialised and transferred for use by business, industry and the broader community.

NHMRC Centres of Clinical Research Excellence (CCREs)

Diabetes CCRE – Based at the University of Melbourne, the Diabetes CCRE seeks to encourage and promote clinical research in diabetes and its complications, with the ultimate goal of improving the treatment and prevention of this disease.

CCRE for Translational Clinical Research in Major Eye Diseases – This CCRE will fund a world-leading, broad-based, clinical and translational research program in Melbourne and Sydney to tackle the four eye diseases that cause the majority of vision loss in Australia: age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataract and glaucoma eye diseases. The CCRE will be headquartered at the Centre for Eye Research Australia in Victoria.

CCRE in Newborn Medicine – Based at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, the CCRE in Newborn Medicine will study adverse outcomes for the brains and lungs of newborn babies.

Biosciences Research Centre – AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience.

The Victorian Government, through the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), and La Trobe University (La Trobe) are investing in a world-class centre for agricultural biosciences research and development through a AUD$288 million public-private partnership.

The building will be known as AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience . AgriBio will focus on cutting-edge research to improve productivity, fight disease and reduce environmental impact, to protect Victoria’s $11.8 billion agricultural sector.

CRCs are an incorporated or unincorporated organisation, formed through collaborative partnerships between publicly funded researchers and end users. CRCs must comprise at least one Australian end-user (either from the private, public or community sector) and one Australian higher education institution (or research institute affiliated with a university).

Cooperative Research Centre

There are currently seven broad CRC sectors.

CRC for Biomarker Translation (CRC-BT) – The CRC-BT focuses on the development of diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. The CRC-BT is headquartered at La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria. CRC for Biomedical Imaging Development (CRC BID) – The primary aims of the CRC BID are to develop new and advanced imaging techniques and equipment for application in biomedicine; and to foster the growth of Australian expertise in biomedical imaging. The CRC BID is headquartered in Bundoora, Victoria.

Cancer Therapeutics CRC (CTx) – The focus of the CTx is working on the discovery and early development of small molecule drugs or enabling therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. Ctx is headquartered at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute’s Biotechnology Centre in Bundoora, Victoria.

CRC for Mental Health – The CRC for Mental Health researches early detection and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and psychoses. The CRC’s research includes areas such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease and psychoses such as schizophrenia and mood disorders.

CRC for Oral Health Science – The CRC for Oral Health Science brings together scientists, dentists, population health experts and manufacturers to find new and efficient ways of reducing the burden of oral disease in Australia. The CRC for Oral Health Science is headquartered at the Royal Dental Hospital, Carlton, Victoria.

CRC for Polymers – The research focus of the CRC for Polymers is on developing ‘functional’ (i.e. responsive to physical or biological stimuli) and higher value-added specialty polymers for emerging high growth opportunities. The Polymer CRC is headquartered in Notting Hill, Victoria. The HEARing CRC – The HEARing CRC brings together an internationally unique consortium dedicated to the common purpose of ‘creating sound value’ through research – to prevent and better remediate the lost productivity resulting from hearing loss in children and adults. The HEARing CRC is headquartered at the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria.

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Six biotech companies in Melbourne that have been making the news

Located on the southeastern coast of Australia, Melbourne is one of the leading life science hubs in the Asia Pacific region, according to a CBRE report published in 2021. With more and more investors taking an interest in the Melbourne region, this contributes to the country’s market value of $170 billion in the sector, with numerous innovative biotech companies making their mark.

The city’s expanding life science cluster saw growth by nearly 20% in 2020, at a time when the overall Asia Pacific market had dipped by 25%. The city is home to multinational companies like medtech company PolyNovo which develops polymers that treat wounds, and biopharma company Clinuvel, which specializes in metabolic and acute disorders. Other global companies like Thermo Fisher, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer operate in Melbourne too.

In this article, let us take a look at six biotech companies that have received funding over the past two years, to help strengthen their pipelines, commercialize their drugs and advance their technologies.

Nutromics is one among Melbourne’s biotech companies that secured funding this year. Having bagged A$11 million ($7 million) in pre-series funding, it looks to commercialize its continuous diagnostic monitoring technology, which is the world’s first precision diagnostic platform, in the next few years.

With an aim to accelerate diagnostics in the clinic by integrating biotech and software technology, it has developed a skin patch device that contains DNA-based sensors that are coated onto the surface of minimally invasive microneedles. One patch can have dozens of sensors since each microneedle is a separate sensor. This lab-on-a-patch can help track various targets like biomarkers in the body continuously and in real time. The synthetic DNA strand remains unfolded until it spots its target, after which it changes shape, which the software decodes to identify the presence and the amount of the target. The patch is being designed to integrate with the clinical system, to be able to project the result on screens.

As lab diagnostics can only provide a single data point from a blood test that was taken many hours prior, which accounts for 70% of clinical decisions. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, it may lead to poor patient outcomes. Nutromics aims to tackle this issue with the help of its technology.

The biotech, which was established in 2017, had raked in funds worth $14 million, in another fundraising in September last year. The company’s technology is currently being tested in clinical trials at Monash University in Melbourne.

Ena Respiratory

Melbourne-based biotech company Ena Respiratory was awarded $4.38 million from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to speed up the development of its lead drug candidate INNA-051, earlier this year.

Specializing in the field of innate immune modulators, the company’s candidate is a nasal spray that is being designed to target respiratory viral infections in people who do not respond well to vaccinations due to immunosuppression, and those who have a higher risk of being exposed to viral diseases. These include patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease and patients with comorbidities.

Telix Pharmaceuticals

The radiopharmaceuticals market was valued at 5.2 billion in 2022, which is forecasted to double by 2030, according to Vantage Market Research. Telix Pharmaceuticals is among the many that contribute to this market.

With a mission to advance precision care, the company has a pipeline that is based on molecularly targeted radiation, which aims to surpass the effectiveness of radiotherapies as they have a more reputable safety profile. Its Gallium 68 radioisotope small molecule for the treatment of prostate cancer, is a diagnostic imaging tool that is currently on the market. Its Lutetium 177 prostate cancer therapeutic agent is in phase 2 trials at the moment. Moreover, its theranostic candidates that target the brain and kidney are in phase 3 and phase 2 trials as well.

Additionally, according to interim data that was published earlier this month, its radio-antibody drug conjugate (rADC) investigational therapy, TLX591, was found to be safe and tolerable, after patients with prostate cancer were administered two doses that were two weeks apart, along with standard of care.

The Melbourne-based biotech company’s imaging kit for prostate cancer, Illuccix, was approved by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Health Canada, which has led to its commercialization in the U.S., Australia and New Zealand.

Telix had raised $175 million to advance its pipeline towards commercialization, last year.

Founded in 2015 in Melbourne, clinical-stage biotech company Aravax is dedicated to developing a disease-modifying treatment for peanut allergy.

Its drug candidate PVX108, is an immunotherapy that aims to reset immune balance among Treg cells and Th2 cells, regulatory and proinflammatory T cells that tend to be present in varied, unbalanced amounts in the case of allergies. Excess Th2 accumulates in the body and triggers other cells in a cascade of reactions, inducing allergic symptoms that include inflammation, bronchoconstriction – the tightening of muscles in the lungs making it hard to breathe – vomiting and hives.

PVX108, which consists of peptides, is designed to target these T cells. These peptides, which are not big enough to cause an allergic reaction, are presented to T cells. They help turn off Th2 cells and activate Treg cells. This helps dampen the allergic reaction in the body.

For PVX108’s further progress in clinical trials, the company raised $20 million in a series B round last year in December. The drug candidate is being studied in a double-blind, randomized phase 2 trial in adolescents and children with peanut allergies. It received the FDA nod for its investigational new drug (IND) application last year.

Propanc Biopharma

Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process that causes epithelial cancer cells to spread and metastasize. Cancer therapy company Propanc Biopharma is developing a technology that is based on pancreatic proenzyme therapy that targets the EMT mechanism to kill cancer cells.

Pancreatic enzymes, which help digest proteins and fats, are known to be a primary defense against pancreatic cancer. As proenzymes suppress pathways that lead to EMT, Propanc’s proenzyme therapy aims to weaken the structure of cancer cells by converting the protein actin from its globular to its filamentous form. This leads to the collapse of the structure, thereby triggering cell death.

Based on this technology, the company has two drug candidates in its pipeline. PRP and POP1 are presently in preclinical and research stages. PRP is derived from two proenzymes trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen – precursors to enzymes that help break proteins down – which aids in the suppression of metastasis and tumor relapse, while having minimal toxic effects on the body. With the goal to bring PRP to the market, Propanc believes that it could be used in hospitals as preventative care for at-risk patients, as well as to manage early-stage tumors. PRP will soon be taken to the clinic for first-in-human trials in patients with advanced solid tumors, which will be held at Peter Mac Cancer Center in Melbourne.

The Melbourne-based biotech company has raised a total of $150,000 since its launch in 2007, out of which it recently obtained $120,000 in a debt financing round.

Fostering Melbourne’s biotech companies: the impact of the bioincubator

With a growing biotech industry looking to increase research and development, Melbourne now accommodates a bioincubator that aims to boost R&D in early-stage biotech companies. It is set to open its doors to these budding companies next year. The incubator is a collaboration between biotech giant CSL, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and the University of Melbourne, to help provide technical support to startups, in an effort to cut costs for these young companies. Initiatives like this can further grow Melbourne’s biotech industry, enabling it to become a stronger contender in the field, not only in Australia and the Asia Pacific region, but also on a global scale.

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New biotech incubator in Melbourne to drive world-class medical research

Nine people stand in front of a promotional banner with CSL, WEHI and University of Melbourne branding.

CSL, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI), and the University of Melbourne announced today they have secured funding to create a start-up incubator to support and grow early-stage Australian biotech companies.

The incubator, to be located at CSL’s new global corporate headquarters under construction in the world-leading Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, will support start-up companies to translate promising medical research into commercial outcomes.

It's been made possible with financial and in-kind support from CSL - the world’s third largest biotech company - University of Melbourne and WEHI, plus a contribution from Breakthrough Victoria, an independent investment management company administering the Victorian Government’s landmark $2 billion Breakthrough Victoria Fund.

The incubator is scheduled to open to start-ups in 2023 and will be able to accommodate up to 40 early-stage companies from around Australia.

Driving translation

The incubator will be open to applications from small biotech companies who have engaged in early research and are seeking to take their discoveries to the next stage of development. In addition to affordable, state-of-the-art wet-lab facilities, equipment and office space, the incubator will provide a range of services, including commercialisation education programs, facilitated access to investors, industry mentoring and access to service providers.

Incubators reduce barriers to entry for start-ups through an affordable ‘one-stop shop’ that provides access to expert technical support and sophisticated technology platforms which can be expensive and cost-prohibitive to small companies. Start-ups that are incubated have a much higher five-year survival rate and accelerated growth trajectory compared with standalone entities. 1

WEHI Director Professor Doug Hilton said the challenges research scientists face when they spin-out a company or biomedical start-up include skill-gaps in translating their research into commercial products.

“The Melbourne Biomedical Precinct is known for its internationally competitive, high-quality scientific outputs, but lags behind its global precinct peers when it comes to translating biotech inventions into spin-outs and commercial outcomes,” Professor Hilton said.

“This collaboration will help to build a generation of corporate and management-skilled scientists who have the knowledge and confidence to run a successful biomed or biotech company and raise the calibre and quantity of translational outputs from the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct.”

A vibrant ecosystem

The incubator will advance the Victorian biomedical ecosystem and boost Australia’s commercialisation outputs. Best-in-class incubators integrate into an effective external ecosystem, like the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, which is as critical to success as the infrastructure and services it will provide.

University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Jim McCluskey said the incubator would provide a strong innovative environment that will nurture biotech start-ups, attracting more local and international investors, talent and companies into research collaborations.

“Universities are critical to meeting the major social, economic, environmental and medical challenges impacting on our communities. The creation of this biotech incubator builds on more than a century of collaboration between CSL, WEHI and the University of Melbourne, strategically supported by State Government investment in translation of medical research, driving economic prosperity and impact for Victoria."

“Bringing together talent, investment and research expertise in this way cements Australia’s reputation as leaders in biomedical education and research, working to improve the lives of many people around the world.”

Enhancing connectivity

The incubator will be the first and only incubator in Australia co-located with a leading biotechnology company.

CSL CEO Paul Perreault, said incubator residents would benefit from CSL’s onshore translational research and development (R&D) expertise and capacity as they co-mingle with employees at its state-of-the-art R&D hub, providing opportunities for cross pollination, learning and the sharing of ideas.

“As one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies, CSL is driven by our promise as a patient-focused organisation, so this partnership clearly aligns with our values and purpose. We are well positioned to support incubator residents, whose experience often lies purely within the lab, better understand commercial aspects of medicines development that may be foreign or new to them," Mr Perreault said.

CSL Chief Scientific Officer Dr Andrew Nash said a thriving biomedical precinct would benefit us all.

“Formalising a place to nurture promising start-ups is a natural extension of our long-term support of and collaboration with many like-minded partners. We hope to see significant long-term health, social and R&D benefits from this initiative, including greater retention and upskilling of domestic research and development capabilities and an increase in commercial acumen of precinct researchers.”

Breakthrough Victoria CEO, Grant Dooley said: “This is Breakthrough Victoria’s inaugural investment. This project aims to provide a sustainable asset for decades by providing a catalyst to progress ideas to commercial outcomes.”

Located over two floors of CSL’s new corporate headquarters being built in the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, the incubator will have one floor of purpose-built wet lab space and another for meetings and office space. There, the incubator will be embedded alongside seven floors of leading-edge laboratory and clinical manufacturing space supporting CSL’s own R&D program, in which the company invested more than US$1 billion globally the past fiscal year.

The incubator is expected to open in 2023 and welcomes residency applications from high-quality, early-stage start-ups from the precinct, across Australia and internationally.

Start-ups interested in applying for residence in the incubator are encouraged to email [email protected] .

1 SPP Approach, Cicada Innovations & AlphaBeta Report, 2020

15 Nov 2021

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New biotech incubator in Melbourne to drive world-class medical research

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CSL, WEHI and the University of Melbourne today announced that they have secured funding to create a start-up incubator to support and grow early-stage Australian biotech companies.

Made possible with financial and in-kind support from CSL , the world’s third largest biotech company, University of Melbourne and WEHI, plus a contribution from Breakthrough Victoria , an independent investment management company administering the Victorian Government’s landmark $2 billion Breakthrough Victoria Fund.

The incubator is scheduled to open to start-ups in 2023 and will be able to accommodate up to 40 early-stage companies from around Australia.

At a glance

CSL, WEHI and The University of Melbourne have secured funding to join forces and create an incubator and commercial wet lab space for biotech start-up companies.
The project partners are planning to provide funding and in-kind support and the Victorian Government’s new landmark Breakthrough Victoria Fund will provide funding to support the $95 million project.
It will be Australia’s first and only incubator that is co-located with a leading biopharmaceutical company, providing all of the wrap around support start-ups need to translate Australian medical research into new treatments and therapies.

Driving translation

WEHI director Professor Doug Hilton AO said the challenges that research scientists face when they spin-out a company or biomedical start-up include skill-gaps in translating their research into commercial products.

“This collaboration will help to build a generation of corporate and management-skilled scientists who have the knowledge and confidence to run a successful biomed or biotech company and raise the calibre and quantity of translational outputs from the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct.”

A vibrant ecosystem

“Universities are critical to meeting the major social, economic, environmental and medical challenges impacting on our communities. The creation of this biotech incubator builds on more than a century of collaboration between CSL, WEHI and The University of Melbourne, strategically supported by State government investment in translation of medical research, driving economic prosperity and impact for Victoria”.

“Bringing together talent, investment and research expertise in this way cements Australia’s reputation as leaders in biomedical education and research, working to improve the lives of many people around the world.”

Enhancing connectivity

The incubator will be the first and only incubator in Australia co-located with a leading biotechnology company.

CSL’s CEO, Paul Perreault, said Incubator residents would benefit from CSL’s onshore translational R&D expertise and capacity as they co-mingle with employees at its state-of-the-art R&D hub, providing opportunities for cross pollination, learning and the sharing of ideas.

“As one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies, CSL is driven by our promise as a patient-focused organisation, so this partnership clearly aligns with our Values and Purpose. We are well positioned to support incubator residents, whose experience often lies purely within the lab, better understand commercial aspects of medicines development that may be foreign or new to them,’ Perreault said.

Dr Andrew Nash, CSL’s Chief Scientific Officer said a thriving biomedical precinct would benefit us all.

“Formalising a place to nurture promising start-ups is a natural extension of our long-term support of and collaboration with many like-minded partners. We hope to see significant long-term health, social and R&D benefits from this initiative, including greater retention and upskilling of domestic research and development capabilities and an increase in commercial acumen of Precinct researchers.”

The incubator will be open to all high-quality early-stage spinouts from the precinct, across Victoria and around Australia.

Breakthrough Victoria CEO Grant Dooley said this was Breakthrough Victoria’s inaugural investment. "This project aims to provide a sustainable asset for decades by providing a catalyst to progress ideas to commercial outcomes," he said.

The incubator is expected to open in 2023 and welcomes residency applications from start-ups across Australia as well as internationally.

Start-ups interested in applying for residence in the incubator are encouraged to email [email protected] .

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List of Contract Research Organizations in Australia

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iNGENū is the FDA-centric Australian CRO championing disruptive, innovative biotech firms globally. Our core mission is to create access to high quality clinical research globally, for early to mid-stage biotechs by removing financial and other unnec...

IMS Health and Quintiles are now IQVIA, a world leader in using data, technology, advanced analytics and expertise to help customers drive healthcare - and human health - forward. Together with the companies we serve, we are enabling a more modern, m...

Local, small- and mid-size Contract Research Organizations in Australia

We assist biotechnology, medical device and pharmaceutical start-ups and SMSEs to refine and fast-track their research goals through efficient study design, SAPs and protocol development and adaption, and careful statistical analysis of study endpoin... View full profile

United Kingdom

At Australian Healthcare Solutions, we believe in medical technology that changes lives for the better. Australian Healthcare Solutions was founded from the desire to assist companies achieve their vision of delivering credible, safe and cost-effect... View full profile

With our team of experienced personnel and state-of-the-art technology, we are the premier CRO of choice in Australia offering a full suite of services in-house. Avance Clinical's clinical and data capabilities cover all phases and therapeutic areas... View full profile

At Clinexa, we are in a constant pursuit to identify the best ways to pass value to our clients. We challenge ourselves and our stakeholders to create new and innovative models that take into consideration the needs of today’s clinical development ne... View full profile

Clinical Research Australia is a contract research organisation located in Perth, Western Australia. We specialise in conducting clinical trials on natural treatments to enhance mental and physical well-being. Our Mission Statement: “To provide an ef... View full profile

CMAX is one of Australia’s largest and most experienced Phase I-II clinical trial units. Centrally positioned in Adelaide, South Australia, CMAX is located opposite the Royal Adelaide Hospital and adjacent to the innovative BioMed City precinct. Ope... View full profile

Complete Phase CRO is a full-service Contract Research Organization (CRO) offering clinical trial solutions in Australia and New Zealand. View full profile

CROW Clinical is a full-service Clinical Research Organization (CRO) servicing Australia and New Zealand. We are the only CRO that offers a dedicated team of Field Clinical Engineers (FCEs) or MedTech Engineers. Our specialty is supporting high-tech... View full profile

GenesisCare Clinical CRO is an independent company founded by GenesisCare, with people skilled across the full spectrum of traditional CRO service offerings yet connected through GenesisCare to additional research services and investigator sites. Why... View full profile

United States

InClin is a full service Contract Research Organization with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sydney, Australia. We are a single source provider of an integrated full suite of clinical development services from Phase 1 through Phase 4, inclu... View full profile

Nucleus Network is Australia’s largest Phase 1 clinical research organization and the only Phase 1 specialist globally with facilities in the USA and Australia. Since our establishment in 2004, Nucleus Network has conducted well over 1000 Phase 1 cli... View full profile

Pacific Clinical Research GroupTM (PCRG) has 18 years of consistent success, with 94% of our clients achieving their primary objective – whether it be clinical, regulatory or strategic/financial. The PCRG Chairman works full-time for the Company, and... View full profile

Collaborating on all therapeutic modalities, Resolian fuses expertise from Alliance Pharma and Drug Development Solutions to provide world-class scientific solutions. View full profile

Southern Star Research is a leading Australian, privately owned, full-service Contract Research Organisation, specialising in providing clinical research services for pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology clinical trials. With a head offic... View full profile

Global Contract Research Organizations in Australia

ACROSS Global is a unique, full-service, comprehensive alliance of qualified CROs and Specialist Service Providers dedicated to providing a professional, cost-effective, focused, and seamless service to the pharmaceutical, biopharma and medical devic... View full profile

Bosnia & Herzegovina
Congo, DR of
Philippines
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South Africa
South Korea
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United Arab Emirates

A global, full-service contract research organization. We take your trials personally. dMed Global, a full-service Clinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) based in Shanghai, China and Clinipace Incorporated, a full-service Clinical CRO with hea... View full profile

Czech Republic

At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guides us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work h... View full profile

Netherlands

ClinActis Pte. Ltd., is a leading full-service contract research organisation (CRO) in Asia Pacific. We provide clinical trial services to the pharmaceutical, medical device, medical nutrition and biotech companies in Asia Pacific. Headquartered in... View full profile

As a provider of comprehensive Phase I through IV clinical trial management, clinical pharmacology, patient access solutions and other enabling services, Fortrea partners with emerging and large biopharma and medical device and diagnostic companies t... View full profile

New Zealand

GreenLight Clinical is internationally recognised by sponsors and investigators as a Physician-led CRO of choice in Ophthalmic & Early-Phase Research. As a full-service CRO, we help customers bring innovative treatments and medical devices to mar... View full profile

Since our foundation in Dublin, Ireland in 1990, our mission has been to help our clients to accelerate the development of drugs and devices that save lives and improve quality of life. We are a global provider of consulting, and outsourced developme... View full profile

Medidee’s CRO (Clinical Research Organisation) services are backed up by decades of experience in the fields of medical device engineering, quality and regulatory affairs. This unique combination of all relevant competences supports all aspects of yo... View full profile

Our unique global partnering philosophy emphasizes an uncompromising commitment to clinical research and to the highest level of ethical standards and performance in our jobs. We are selective about the projects we engage in because we are devoted to... View full profile

Headquartered in Australia and focused exclusively on the Asia Pacific, Novotech is internationally recognized as a leading regional full-service CRO. With the increasing pace of globalization in drug development, Novotech’s expertise in the vibrant... View full profile

For over 35 years, PAREXEL has proven to be a trusted partner for the complex development journey required of biopharmaceutical and medical device companies. We’re also an astute guide, able to simplify that journey for our clients, so safe new produ... View full profile

PPD is a leading global contract research organization providing comprehensive, integrated drug development, laboratory and lifecycle management services. Our clients and partners include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, academic and go... View full profile

ProPharma Group partners with life science companies to solve their complex challenges. As an extension of your team, we care about not only the progression of your products through the development lifecycle, but also the safety of your products and... View full profile

Our mission is to be the best CRO in the world as measured by our employees, clients, investigators, and vendors. Our teams work tirelessly to ensure that we deliver on time and on budget. You will always know what's going on with your study when you... View full profile

Life sciences services from SGS – optimize your development timelines to get medicines and medical devices to market quickly and safely. There is no other area of business that is more heavily regulated than the development, testing and distribution... View full profile

Burkina Faso
Cote d'Ivoire
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Syneos Health (Nasdaq:SYNH) is the only fully integrated biopharmaceutical solutions organization purpose-built to accelerate customer success. We lead with a product development mindset, strategically blending clinical development, medical affairs a... View full profile

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In Association with Invest Melbourne

Partner Content

Exploring Melbourne’s booming life sciences sector

Home to leading medical research institutes and one of the world’s largest biotechnology hubs, Australia is becoming the place to be for innovative life sciences companies, as proved by Melbourne’s latest foreign direct investment (FDI) wins from the likes of BioNTech and Moderna.

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Australia’s life sciences sector has seen rapid growth in the past decade. According to a 2022 report by AusBiotech, the number of biotechnology companies located in the country grew by 40% from 2019. In clinical trials, Australia has become a preferred destination thanks to an efficient regulatory system, ethnically diverse population and generous government tax incentives for international sponsors.

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According to GlobalData, there are 3,113 ongoing clinical trials taking place in Australia, with Victoria conducting more studies than any other state in the country. In fact, since 2014, the state of Victoria has invested A$1.3bn in medical research and helped establish more than 100,000 direct and indirect full-time positions in the state’s biotechnology sector.

Victoria is also home to the largest biomedical ecosystem in the country. In fact, the City of Melbourne delivers a remarkable 60% of Australian pharmaceutical exports. Melbourne is a base for 41% of Australian life sciences companies and was ranked as one of the top five life sciences hubs in Asia-Pacific, according to a 2021 report from Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis. Big names with a base in Melbourne include Bristol Myers Squibb, CSL Behring, GSK, IQVIA, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Pfizer and Thermo Fisher Scientific. The city also hosts a cohort of up-and-coming biotech companies such as Telix Pharmaceuticals, Nutromics and Ena Respiratory.

Melbourne’s strong manufacturing capabilities, logistics networks and world-class academic infrastructure helped to secure this leading position. The University of Melbourne is frequently ranked amongst the best in the world for medicine, while Monash University was recently ranked second in the world for pharmacy and pharmacology two years running.

Meanwhile, one of the world’s leading biomedical clusters, the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct (MBP), can be found just outside of the city’s central business district. Renowned for its cutting-edge research discoveries, the MBP provides local life sciences companies with access to world-class institutions, talent and research infrastructure. Further potential comes from the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery. Located at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, this collaborative biomedical engineering centre unites clinicians, academics, and industry partners for the development of novel medtech, biotech and digital health technologies.

Foreign investment in Melbourne life sciences

In recent years, Melbourne’s life sciences sector has thrived on a concentration of FDI. The year 2022 was particularly strong for FDI, with two messenger RNA (mRNA) giants, Moderna and BioNTech, announcing plans to establish manufacturing operations in the city. In December 2023, BioNTech and the state of Victoria signed an agreement to research, develop and manufacture new mRNA oncology treatments, with the aim of treating up to 4,000 patients in the region over the next decade. To support this mission, the German company is now building a research and clinical-stage manufacturing site on La Trobe University’s Melbourne campus in Bundoora.

Meanwhile, Moderna is working closely with Melbourne’s Monash University to drive advancements in mRNA medicines. The US-based company broke ground on a new manufacturing site in the Monash Technology Precinct of the university’s Clayton campus, marking Moderna’s first manufacturing facility in the Southern Hemisphere and the first to be located within a university campus. Expected to open in 2024, the site will produce up to 100 million vaccine doses a year.

Over recent years, a range of international life sciences companies have opened new facilities in Melbourne. Pennsylvania-based Colorcon unveiled a new technical service laboratory in the Caribbean Business Park in June 2020, offering Victoria’s pharmaceutical and nutrition companies access to expert tablet formulation and coating services. Located in Scoresby, the park is the largest business precinct outside of the central business district.

The arrival of Antengene, which opened its first Australian office in 2022, was an additional boost to Melbourne’s biotech scene. Headquartered in China, the commercial-stage company is focused on the development of novel treatments for hematologic malignancies and solid tumours, with a pipeline of nine oncology programmes. Its lead asset, Selinexor, has been approved in the US, EU, China, Australia and Singapore.

Melbourne has also seen a steady stream of healthcare FDI over the past few years. This includes new branch openings for British companies Illingworth Research (a provider of mobile research nursing services for clinical trials) and the Medical Mediation Foundation, which chose Melbourne for its first overseas base. In addition, Singaporean health technology start-up Homage picked Melbourne for its Australian headquarters. The company combines curated care professionals with technology to provide on-demand home care services to seniors and adults.

As the value of Melbourne’s life sciences ecosystem continues to strengthen, more and more innovative companies are expected to set up operations in the city over the coming years. With a dedicated team of experienced advisers, Invest Melbourne is primed to support your team by providing guidance, connections, business market entry and business case validation, access to talent and insights about the city.

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- CSL, WEHI and The University of Melbourne have secured funding to join forces and create an incubator and commercial wet lab space for biotech start-up companies - The project partners are planning to provide funding and in-kind support and the Victorian Government’s new landmark Breakthrough Victoria Fund will provide funding to support the $95 million project. - It will be Australia’s first and only incubator that is co-located with a leading biopharmaceutical company, providing all of the wrap around support start-ups need to translate Australian medical research into new treatments and therapies. - With a planned opening for 2023, the incubator will be located in CSL’s new Global Headquarters currently under construction in Elizabeth St, Melbourne.

MELBOURNE, AU; 23rd November, 2021 : CSL, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI), and the University of Melbourne today announced that they have secured funding to create a start-up incubator to support and grow early-stage Australian biotech companies.

Made possible with financial and in-kind support from CSL, the world’s third largest biotech company, University of Melbourne and WEHI plus a contribution from Breakthrough Victoria, an independent investment management company administering the Victorian Government’s landmark $2 billion Breakthrough Victoria Fund. The incubator is scheduled to open to start-ups in 2023 and will be able to accommodate up to 40 early-stage companies from around Australia.

Driving translation

“The Melbourne Biomedical Precinct is known for its internationally competitive, high-quality scientific outputs, but lags its global precinct peers when it comes to translating biotech inventions into spin-outs and commercial outcomes,” Professor Hilton said.

A vibrant ecosystem

“Universities are critical to meeting the major social, economic, environmental and medical challenges impacting on our communities. The creation of this biotech incubator builds on more than a century of collaboration between CSL, WEHI and The University of Melbourne, strategically supported by State government investment in translation of medical research, driving economic prosperity and impact for Victoria”.

Enhancing connectivity

The incubator will be the first and only incubator in Australia co-located with a leading biotechnology company.

Dr Andrew Nash, CSL’s Chief Scientific Officer said a thriving biomedical precinct would benefit us all.

The incubator will be open to all high-quality early-stage spinouts from the precinct, across Victoria and around Australia.

Breakthrough Victoria CEO, Grant Dooley said, “This is Breakthrough Victoria’s inaugural investment. This project aims to provide a sustainable asset for decades by providing a catalyst to progress ideas to commercial outcomes.”

The incubator is expected to open in 2023 and welcomes residency applications from start-ups across Australia as well as internationally.

Start-ups interested in applying for residence in the incubator are encouraged to email [email protected] .

References: 1. SPP Approach, Cicada Innovations & AlphaBeta Report, 2020

### - ENDS - ###

CSL (ASX:CSL) is a leading global biotechnology company with a dynamic portfolio of life-saving medicines, including those that treat hemophilia and immune deficiencies, as well as vaccines to prevent influenza. Since our start in 1916, we have been driven by our promise to save lives using the latest technologies. Today, CSL — including our two businesses, CSL Behring and Seqirus - provides life-saving products to more than 100 countries and employs more than 25,000 people. Our unique combination of commercial strength, R&D focus and operational excellence enables us to identify, develop and deliver innovations so our patients can live life to the fullest.

For more information visit www.csl.com .

CSL Limited (CSL Behring's Parent Company)
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CSL Plasma - US (CSL Behring Subsidiary)

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About Southern Star Research

Your trusted australian contract research organization..

Our Journey

Southern Star Research is a full-service contract research organization (CRO) dedicated to guiding sponsors through the complexities of bringing new medical products to market. Our journey began with a small team of three in Sydney, conducting our first clinical trial in the cardiovascular sector.

Since our inception 14 years ago, we have grown into an international team of specialists, managing studies worldwide.

Today, Southern Star Research continues to lead with innovation and expertise, offering comprehensive solutions for clinical trials across the globe.

Our Management Team

30 years experience in the medical devices, biotechnology, health services, and technology sectors both nationally, and internationally. 20 years of experience in leadership and founding roles in Healthcare innovation Degree in biomechanical engineering Extensive experience and contribution to the evolution and growth of arthroscopy and orthopaedic devices across Asia Pacific

Lloyd prescott.

30 years of research experience in academia, pharma & CROs Advisor to the Australian Government on Clinical Research reforms Prominent industry positions including Co-Chair of the R&D Taskforce Appointed to NSW Dept of Health Early Phase Expert Oversight Committee Previous member of several NHMRC committees overseeing clinical research

Dr david lloyd.

Managing Director

20+ years as an experienced CFO across a range of industries including 10+ years in healthcare 15+ years as a board member for listed, private and not-for-profit organisations serving as Chairman, Director, and Company Secretary Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants Bachelor’s degree in science from the University of Oxford and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

Rick taylor.

25+ years of global clinical research experience in pharma and CROs 19+ years in Leadership roles Extensive experience in operational efficiencies, change management, and line management

Belinda fricke.

Head of Clinical Operations

28 years’ experience across all biometric functions Leadership of DM and Statistics departments in large global CROs in Australia and the UK Established DM and Statistics departments CROs. Very broad range of experience across a number of eCRF platforms and in SAS programming.

Peter fursdon.

Head of Biometrics

25+ years of global clinical research experience based in AU & EU PhD in viral immunology Experience in biotechnology, medical device, pharmaceutical, consultancy and CROs Significant skills in operational and project management

Dr tracey frear.

Head of Projects

Pharmacology (pharmacokinetics) qualification 27+ years clinical research experience in CROs and pharma Clinical operations development pathway from CRA through SPM across Asia Pacific and extensive line management experience

Amanda jubb.

Head of Asia

20+ years working in the pharmaceutical development industry Experience managing clinical quality assurance professionals and ensuring staff, client, and vendor compliance Experience in drug development across biotech start-ups, large pharma, testing laboratories, drug manufacturing, pre-clinical studies, and laboratory accreditation

Kellie lantry.

Head of Quality Assurance

Business Development

Located in Sydney, Australia BA (Hons) Business Management 10+ years in Commercial Global Life Sciences and Biotech sectors Extensive experience in partnering with global biotech, pharma, and medical device companies

Daniel evans.

Located in Melbourne, Australia BASc Bachelor of Nursing & Mini-MBA 15+ Years in Healthcare related positions Significant clinical research and business development experience with diverse therapeutic area experience

Teresa ringeri.

Located in Seoul, South Korea Bachelor of Science, Konkuk University Experience in business development, sales, and client relationship management Proficient at project management, partnership building, and coordination between stakeholders in multiple countries and departments

South Korea

Located in West Coast, USA Nurse and healthcare professional Decades of CRO business development experience Deep experience in partnering with medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology companies in USA & Europe

Robert kent.

Located in East Coast, USA 10+ years of supporting clinical trial development Experienced across all study phases Strong focus on oncology and CNS trials

Zachary giebel.

Agile, proactive and bespoke solutions that help you reach your commercial goals faster

The very best quality at a predictable price - no unexpected add-ons

Transparent, close relationships, with a focus on your unique needs

Simplifying the clinical trial process – we’ll help you navigate each stage with confidence

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Specialist experience

Each member of our Leadership Team boasts an average of 30 years experience. Our clients have access to an extraordinary group of Clinical Research professionals, whose experience covers Multinational Pharmaceutical companies, Biotechnology, Medical Device, CRO’s, research institutes, Universities, Industry Associations & Government Bodies. Together, we ensure that every aspect of your unique and novel drug study clinical trial is handled with scientific precision, care, and foresight.

Our team has all of the tools, knowledge and experience to solve almost any issue that may arise during the complex clinical trial process.

We recognize that each study is unique and different and there are nuances that need to be resolved proactively.

Our advisory board of top-tier specialists in multiple therapeutic areas engage in the early stages from protocol design in constructive discussions to anticipate challenges and enhance study efficiency throughout the study.

Medical devices and implantables

The melbourne biomedical precinct is ready to capitalise on the spectacular growth in medical devices and implantables that are changing the lives of patients who have limited treatment options. this offers potential to spark a new advanced manufacturing industry in victoria..

Medical device technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, thanks to significant improvements in advanced manufacturing, computing power, machine learning and battery technology, along with significant reductions in cost. This means that equipment that once required an entire laboratory to house and operate can now be inexpensive and compact enough to wear – or even implanted into the body.

An example of the capability of modern medical devices is the Cochlear bionic ear, which was developed in Melbourne by Professor Graeme Clark. The Cochlear ear has restored hearing to over 100,000 people worldwide and spawned a local company with a value of more than $9 billion. The next 20 years will likely see the emergence of many new high-tech medical device start-ups and it is possible the next billion dollar ‘Cochlear’ could be based in Melbourne.

A wide range of new medical devices and implantables are currently being developed in the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct to treat diseases and conditions that have limited treatment options. These include spinal cord injury, epilepsy, stroke, blindness and neurological degenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and even mental illness. Researchers in the United States are currently testing brain implants that deliver electrical impulses to treat mental illness. In November 2017 the Food and Drug Administration approved the first ‘digital’ pill that can send messages to smart phones about a patient’s compliance.

One flagship project within the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct is the development of the bionic eye. This device will help restore sight and allow the blind to recognise faces and even read. The first prototype was implanted in a patient in 2012 and the latest version is now being developed in the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct.

Another project is developing the Stentrode, a device the size of a matchstick, which is implanted in a blood vessel next to the brain’s control centre for movement. It will one day enable people to control robotic limbs and powered exoskeletons simply by thought. The Stentrode has the potential to transform the lives of amputees, as well as people with spinal injuries, motor neurone disease and other conditions. Human trials will begin in 2018. Sixteen different departments at The University of Melbourne participated in the development of the Stentrode.

World-first clinical trials are also set to begin in Melbourne on a device that will deliver medication directly to the brain to control epilepsy, which is the world’s most common serious brain disorder, affecting around 250,000 Australians. The device uses an implantable pump in the stomach, connected to the brain via a tiny tube, and promises to provide a more potent response with fewer side effects than current epilepsy drugs. Another device targeted at epilepsy patients is implanted under the scalp and can continuously monitor brain activity to detect or predict a seizure. This will significantly improve the quality of care for epilepsy patients.

One key advantage of medical devices is that they may be substantially cheaper and quicker to bring to market compared with conventional drugs and biological therapies. A typical drug takes well over a decade and about $2 billion to progress to market. A medical device generally takes half that time and costs a fraction as much to bring to market. This significantly lowers the cost of commercialising devices and means a more rapid return on investment.

Current strengths and opportunities

Interdisciplinary expertise: The Melbourne Biomedical Precinct is home to world-class researchers in fields contributing to the development of medical devices, including bioengineering, data analytics, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. This includes The University of Melbourne’s recently established Graeme Clark Institute for Biomedical Engineering.
Collaboration: Strong collaborative ties are building among the research organisations and medical technology companies within the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct and beyond, including with the manufacturing capability across wider Melbourne. Medical devices are already a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide, worth over $200 billion in the US. Developing medical devices and implantables requires expertise from a wide range of fields, making strong interdisciplinary collaboration across the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct essential.
Supporting business growth: Brand-new facilities for the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery in the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct are in planning for 2021. Aikenhead is the first hospital-based interdisciplinary biomedical engineering research and education centre in Australia. It could also serve an incubator function by attracting start-up medical technology companies and facilitating better collaboration, commercialisation and investment within Victoria.

Future opportunities

Growth of new disciplines: There is a need to educate and train a new type of researcher, the ‘clinician-engineer’, who can drive the development of advanced medical devices. This will be further supported by the increased focus on the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct as an innovation precinct which encourages networking and serendipitous meetings from researchers and clinicians across multiple fields.
Addressing unmet medical needs and translating ideas to the clinic: Development of successful medical devices will hinge on the ability to identify a real need and a suitable target population. Growing demand in Asia for the latest medical technology represents a tremendous opportunity for Australian businesses and advanced manufacturers.
Manufacturing growth: There is opportunity to increase the advanced manufacturing capacity within Victoria to support the production of prototypes that are needed to prove the viability of new medical devices and gain regulatory approval.

Defining medical devices and implantables

A medical device is any instrument, apparatus or appliance used to diagnose, prevent or treat injury or disease. medical devices range in complexity from an app on your smartphone through to computerised diagnostic machines. implantable devices include an artificial hip, pacemaker or cochlear bionic ear. medical and implantable devices can be used for a wide range of applications, such as diagnostics (for example, a blood pressure monitor) or to replace injured parts of the body (for example, a 3d-printed shinbone). some can restore or improve function, such as a robotic prosthetic arm..

A wide range of new medical devices and implantables are being developed in the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct to treat diseases and conditions that have limited treatment options

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Melbourne one of three ‘great leading cities’ in medical research and biotechnology

Victorian Acting Premier James Merlino says Melbourne is one of three leading cities in medical research and biotechnology, with a deal announced which will see the state produce millions of mRNA vaccine doses a year.

The federal government has secured a deal with Moderna, with a plant to be built which will produce 25 million doses, including booster shots, each year from 2024.

"This is a huge announcement," Mr Merlino said during a media conference on Tuesday.

"This is the place to be - Boston, London and Melbourne, the three great leading cities when it comes to medical research and biotechnology."

He said across Melbourne and Victoria there are at least 30,000 jobs in medical research and biotechnology across the industry, university and institutes, and 40 per cent of the nation's medical technology and biotechnology companies are based in Melbourne.

"So this is a great announcement and it's the logical place to do it."

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	Australia - Melbourne	iNGENu CRO \| The FDA-centric HQ’ed in Australia, with global offices (Asia, UK, EU, USA). Delivering high-quality clinical research at a fraction of the cost.
	Australia - Cannon Hill	Resolian - Global CRO specializing in GLP and non-GLP bioanalytical services, drug metabolism/pharmacokinetic (DMPK) and CMC analytical sciences (GMP).
	Australia - Melbourne	Pfizer CentreOne: Contract Development & Manufacturing, API, Injectables, Potent Solids
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	Australia - Thebarton	Bioanalytical Clinical Testing
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	Australia - Thebarton	Cell assays
	Australia - Thorpdale	Non-addictive Pain Medicine
	Australia - Toowong	Implantable Bioscaffolds
	Australia - Toowong	Immune Disorder Treatments, Monoclonal Antibody
	Australia - Toowong	Nature-derived small molecules
	Australia - Unanderra	Medical Devices
	Australia - Victoria	Cyclic peptide analog
	Australia - Victoria	Molecular Diagnostics
	Australia - Victoria	Stem Cell Manufacturing Technology
	Australia - Victoria	Contract Small Molecule Manufacturing
	Australia - Wentworth Point	Medical Imaging, Clinical Research Services
	Australia - West Lakes	LIMS/Laboratory Software & Services
	Australia - West Melbourne	Drug Delivery
	Australia - West Perth	Small Molecule for Alzheimer's
	Australia - Woollahra	DNA Sequencing Software

BioNTech Coup: More mRNA Manufacturing, Research In Melbourne

Victoria is continuing to lead the way in mRNA manufacturing with the Andrews Labor Government agreeing to an in-principle partnership with ground-breaking German biotechnology company BioNTech.

The developers of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 mRNA vaccine have chosen Victoria to establish their Asia-Pacific mRNA clinical research and development centre which will form part of BioNTech’s global network. The new facility will support researchers to translate their work into medical breakthroughs.

Treasurer Tim Pallas and Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford today announced an in-principle partnership with BioNTech to establish a clinical scale mRNA manufacturing facility in Melbourne, with Victoria and BioNTech entering formal discussions to bring this world leading company into the State.

The arrangement would see BioNTech deliver next-generation mRNA therapeutics and vaccines for research and clinical trials, including infectious diseases, cancer medicines and personalised cancer treatments.

It also includes BioNTech establishing its Artificial Intelligence-driven early warning and identification technology, which can be used to detect future disease threats and rapidly develop new treatments and vaccines, at the Victorian site.

Founded in 2008 in Germany, BioNTech has become a world leader in mRNA research and in 2020 successfully developed the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19.

The in-principle partnership follows the Australian Government, Moderna and Victorian Government partnership to set up an mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility at Monash University – helping protect Australians against future pandemics, supporting local industry and creating highly skilled jobs.

Victoria is Australia’s leader in pharmaceutical and biological manufacturing, responsible for nearly 60 per cent of Australia’s pharmaceutical exports – making it our highest value advanced manufactured export.

The Labor Government has invested $1.3 billion in medical research since 2014 and has helped create more than 100,000 direct and indirect full-time jobs in the state’s biotech sector.

Quote attributable to Treasurer Tim Pallas

“This is a major coup for Victoria – it will see incredible collaboration opportunities for our researchers and international biotech companies.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford

“ BioNTech and Moderna are the only companies in the world to deliver mRNA products to market and soon they will both call Victoria home.”

Quotes attributable to CEO and Co-Founder of BioNTech Professor Uğur Şahin

“ This partnership is a major step forward to enable access to mRNA technology and promote collaboration.”

“Australia provides excellent academic research, and we are looking forward to collaborating with world-class scientists and researchers to strengthen Australia’s mRNA ecosystem and jointly develop novel treatments and vaccines for people worldwide.”

Quote attributable to Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre CEO Professor Shelley Dolan

“Peter Mac’s research extends from fundamental discovery that translates into cancer treatments, providing the perfect opportunity to collaborate with a world leading company such as BioNTech.”

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Bio21 Institute for Molecular Science & Biotechnology - is a multidisciplinary research centre, specialising in medical, agricultural and environmental biotechnology. Bionics Institute - is an independent, non-profit, medical research organisation. Burnet Institute - The Burnet Institute is a leading Australian medical research and public ...
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. 1G, Royal Parade, Parkville. Victoria, 3052, Australia. (03) 9345 2555. ABN 12 004 251 423. WEHI is where the world's brightest minds collaborate and innovate to make life-changing scientific discoveries that help people live healthier for longer. Our medical researchers have been ...
Garvan Institute of Medical Research
Our faculty. Garvan faculty members are international leaders of bold research teams, who spearhead innovative research endeavours. Our faculty members work at the intersection of world-class technical facilities and in close collaboration with hospitals and patients, both locally and globally. Explore all faculty.
Six biotech companies in Melbourne making the news
Located on the southeastern coast of Australia, Melbourne is one of the leading life science hubs in the Asia Pacific region, according to a CBRE report published in 2021. With more and more investors taking an interest in the Melbourne region, this contributes to the country's market value of $170 billion in the sector, with numerous innovative biotech companies making their mark.
New biotech incubator in Melbourne to drive world-class medical research
The incubator, to be located at CSL's new global corporate headquarters under construction in the world-leading Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, will support start-up companies to translate promising medical research into commercial outcomes. It's been made possible with financial and in-kind support from CSL - the world's third largest ...
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The Alfred Research Alliance is a vibrant collaborative community in Melbourne, dedicated to excellence in medical research and education. A leading medical research and education precinct, the Alliance is located on the site of one of Australia's busiest hospitals, The Alfred. Here, we think in new and innovative ways and work together to ...
Melbourne's new incubator offers biotech startups an added ...
24 Nov, 2021. Breakthrough Victoria in collaboration with world-leading biotech and health sciences company, CSL, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and the University of Melbourne have formed a consortium to accelerate biotech commercialisation across the state. Valued at $95 million, the new incubator will have capacity ...
Melbourne Clinical Trials
Australia's largest Phase 1 clinical trial facility. Located within Melbourne's Alfred Research Alliance medical precinct, our 94-bed inpatient clinic (formerly known as the Centre for Clinical Studies) is Australia's largest Phase 1 clinical trial facility. We offer a variety of clinical trials in Melbourne at any time.
Melbourne Clinical Trials
Melbourne Clinical Trials. Located within Melbourne's Alfred Research Alliance medical precinct, our 94-bed inpatient clinic (formerly known as the Centre for Clinical Studies) is Australia's largest Phase 1 clinical trial facility. We have a variety of paid clinical trials in Melbourne, ranging in duration from two days to a whole month.
Biomedical
CSIRO's Biomedical Materials Translational Facility (BMTF) helps Medtech companies turn new discoveries into market ready products. It has the capability and equipment needed to develop a biomedical product though prototyping, scale-up, pre-clinical testing and industry evaluation and offers access to ISO 9001, ISO 17025 and GLP.
A collaboration to boost medical research innovation in Victoria
A collaboration to boost medical research innovation in Victoria. 04 Dec, 2020. A partnership between a leading global biotech company and Australia's most prominent university will put Victoria at the forefront of medical research innovation, create hundreds of jobs, and generate opportunities for local businesses and clinical trials.
New biotech incubator in Melbourne to drive world-class medical research
Start-ups interested in applying for residence in the incubator are encouraged to email [email protected]. Media enquiries. M: +61 475 751 811. E: [email protected]. CSL, WEHI and the University of Melbourne today announced that they have secured funding to create a start-up incubator to support and grow early-stage Australian ...
Melbourne Biomedical Precinct
Welcome to the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct. The Melbourne Biomedical Precinct is Australia's, and one of the world's, leading biomedical precincts. It delivers outstanding patient care, cutting edge research and discoveries, training to some of the country's brightest minds, as well as economic value to Victoria. Learn more
About
Based in the Parkville Precinct of Melbourne, the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC) is located in the heart of Australia's word-class biotechnology and medical research precinct. ... We provide pharmaceutical and medical technology companies, and allied industries, support through a dedicated team of experienced pharmaceutical ...
List of Contract Research Organizations in Australia
iNGENū is the FDA-centric Australian CRO championing disruptive, innovative biotech firms globally. Our core mission is to create access to high quality clinical research globally, for early to mid-stage biotechs by removing financial and other unnec... 💻 Website ↗ 📞 +1300 633 226 View all details.
Exploring Melbourne's booming life sciences sector
Melbourne is a base for 41% of Australian life sciences companies and was ranked as one of the top five life sciences hubs in Asia-Pacific, according to a 2021 report from Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis. Big names with a base in Melbourne include Bristol Myers Squibb, CSL Behring, GSK, IQVIA, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Pfizer and Thermo ...
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MELBOURNE, AU; 23rd November, 2021: CSL, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI), and the University of Melbourne today announced that they have secured funding to create a start-up incubator to support and grow early-stage Australian biotech companies. The incubator, to be located at CSL's new global corporate headquarters under ...
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Our Journey. Southern Star Research is a full-service contract research organization (CRO) dedicated to guiding sponsors through the complexities of bringing new medical products to market. Our journey began with a small team of three in Sydney, conducting our first clinical trial in the cardiovascular sector.
From Research Engine to Economic Powerhouse
From Research Engine to Economic Powerhouse. The Victorian Government released its strategic plan for the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct - From research engine to economic powerhouse - in April 2018. Developed by the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct Office in collaboration with our Precinct Partners, Victorian Government agencies and the City of Melbourne, the strategy provides an important ...
Medical devices and implantables
Collaboration: Strong collaborative ties are building among the research organisations and medical technology companies within the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct and beyond, including with the manufacturing capability across wider Melbourne. Medical devices are already a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide, worth over $200 billion in the US.
Melbourne one of three 'great leading cities' in medical research and
He said across Melbourne and Victoria there are at least 30,000 jobs in medical research and biotechnology across the industry, university and institutes, and 40 per cent of the nation's medical ...
Australia
Australia - Biotech Companies. Resolian - Global CRO specializing in GLP and non-GLP bioanalytical services, drug metabolism/pharmacokinetic (DMPK) and CMC analytical sciences (GMP). iNGENu CRO | The FDA-centric CRO HQ'ed in Australia, with global offices (Asia, UK, EU, USA). Delivering high-quality clinical research at a fraction of the cost.
CMAX
Register today! Established in 1993 CMAX is one of Australia's largest and most experienced clinical trial centres. Our expert team is committed to supporting innovative medical research in partnership with our national and international sponsors. Centrally positioned in Adelaide, CMAX is located adjacent to The Royal Adelaide Hospital in ...
BioNTech Coup: More mRNA Manufacturing, Research In Melbourne
Treasurer Tim Pallas and Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford today announced an in-principle partnership with BioNTech to establish a clinical scale mRNA manufacturing facility in Melbourne, with Victoria and BioNTech entering formal discussions to bring this world leading company into the State.

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New biotech incubator in Melbourne to drive world-class medical research

CSL, WEHI and the University of Melbourne today announced that they have secured funding to create a start-up incubator to support and grow early-stage Australian biotech companies.

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