Monash Innovation turns bold ideas into solutions that make the world a better place by translating research, driving innovation, and empowering entrepreneurs at Monash University.
Combining a collective wealth of experience in commercialisation and entrepreneurship, we foster a thriving ecosystem that guides the innovation journey of researchers, staff, students, and alumni towards impactful solutions. Our strengths are our people, relationships, programs, and systems, but what sets Monash apart from other universities is our depth of expertise in navigating complexity to unlock innovation pathways, creating solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
TURNING BOLD IDEAS INTO REALITY.
FOREWORD
TURNING BOLD IDEAS INTO REALITY, FOR A BETTER WORLD
The role of universities to drive significant positive change globally is unprecedented. We stand at the forefront of knowledge and innovation, acting as essential bridges between academic research and tangible societal benefits. At Monash Innovation, we leverage this pivotal role to incubate innovation where ideas can flourish and translate into impactful enterprises.
Our strategy at Monash Innovation centres on enabling a thriving ecosystem for innovation. This includes the strategic integration of research commercialisation, coupled with robust investment in pre-seed funds designed to nurture spin-outs and startups. Through our entrepreneurial talent development programs, we are laying the groundwork for sustainable innovation.
As I reflect on the progress we’ve made at Monash Innovation this past year, I am filled with a deep sense of pride and optimism. Our dedication to translating research, driving innovation and empowering entrepreneurs has never been more aligned with Monash University’s mission of addressing global challenges of the age.
2023 has been a landmark year for us. We launched a $15 million pre-seed fund in partnership with Breakthrough Victoria and joined the Uniseed fund, significantly enhancing our investment capacity. We created a distinct humanities, arts and social science (HASS) commercialisation function to commence the process of strengthening our broader HASS offering including enabling us to better support the translation of research into sustainable technologies, products and services to address key societal challenges. Our active spinout portfolio now includes 53 companies, adding 6-8 new ventures annually. Additionally, Monash Investment Holdings has strengthened its position, holding equity in 28 spinouts valued at $38 million and growing.
Our success in commercialisation has been greatly supported by partnerships with leading venture investment groups like BioCurate,
IP Group, and Brandon Bio Catalyst. These relationships are instrumental in propelling our mission forward.
A personal highlight for me has been observing our community of students, staff, and alumni engage more deeply with entrepreneurship. In particular the participation in our commercialisation skills education program pilot for researchers has been inspiring. This initiative not only supports growth but also enhances the impact of their innovations, continuously driving our efforts forward.
As we step up in 2024, we are excited about establishing a Monash University seed fund to further leverage our innovation portfolio and enhance impact. We remain committed to not just adapting to the world as it is but actively shaping it for the better.
Dr Alastair Hick Chief Commercialisation Officer, Monash Innovation
MESSAGE FROM THE
DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR
(ENTERPRISE AND ENGAGEMENT) AND SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT
TRANSLATING IMPACT 2030 INTO ENTERPRISING ACTION
Enterprise at Monash introduces inspirational ideas, new opportunities and much needed resources to Monash University’s endeavour of making the greatest positive impact on the global challenges of our age.
As a core component of the University’s Enterprise and Engagement portfolio, Monash Innovation plays a critical role in supporting our mission to improve the world for future generations. By driving innovation and entrepreneurship output across the University, our Innovation team bridges the gap between academic discoveries and real-world applications through research commercialisation and the development of an entrepreneurial culture, while shaping and supporting the innovative mindsets and capabilities of staff, students and alumni.
Our world is moving at a faster pace than ever before. Innovation is no longer a side project - it is central to the way in which institutions interact with the world in both adapting to change and catalysing meaningful transformation.
Our ambition is to solidify Monash Innovation’s position at the heart of the Australian innovation ecosystem so that we may optimally play our role in achieving global expression for our best discoveries and inventions. Monash University’s enterprise strategy focuses on generating diverse revenue streams and reinvesting these resources back into the University. This strategy generates a sustainable and virtuous cycle capable of advancing our research and educational efforts and amplifying the impact of our inventions.
As we reflect on Monash Innovation’s substantial progress in 2023, our dedication to enterprise, excellence and actionable innovation remains unwavering.
Professor Doron Ben-Meir Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Engagement) and Senior Vice-President
A LEADING GLOBAL UNIVERSITY
Since our establishment in 1958, we have been on a journey to translate our discoveries and innovative ideas into real world impact. This driving purpose is core to everything that we do.
Over the past twenty years, our research impact and entrepreneurial projects have helped contribute to moving our ranking to a top 50 global university. Our annual investment of AUD$1.4 billion into world leading research leads to a continuous pipeline of quality innovations.
Ranked in the TOP 50 universities in the world*
We invest $1.4B a year into world leading research
$672M Research Income
Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC) 2022**
*42 QS World Rankings 2024 **2023 figures are finalised in July 2024
We have a strong global footprint, with 5 international campuses in Malaysia, China, India, Indonesia and Italy and a network of over 100 other partner universities around the world.
Our main campus is located in Clayton, Melbourne at the heart of the Monash Technology Precinct, which is the largest employment and innovation cluster outside of Melbourne’s Central Business District. It is made up of:
13,000+ BUSINESSES*
that leverage innovation, partnerships and worldclass educational facilities
*As of 8 Dec 2023
95,000 JOBS* 9.4 BILLION*
supporting the national economy and Victoria’s innovation ecosystem
injected into the Victorian economy each year, creating significant national and global impact
INNOVATION AT MONASH
Monash Innovation supports the innovation and entrepreneurship journeys of researchers, staff, students, and alumni towards creating impactful solutions for a better world.
Innovation is a key driver for Monash University, whether that’s through the translation of research, nurturing entrepreneurial graduates or providing opportunities for industry to engage with Monash to accelerate the development of new technologies.
WHAT WE DO
DEVELOPMENT OF TALENT
The Generator develops entrepreneurial talent through education, training and support that empowers our students, staff, researchers and alumni to become more entrepreneurial and gives them the skills and networks to succeed.
Monash Innovation has built capability across the life cycle of innovation, from developing talent, protecting intellectual property, commercialising innovations, creating and supporting new companies and investing in opportunities.
COMMERCIALISATION OF IP
Our dedicated team of Commercialisation & IP experts work with researchers, industry and investors to protect and translate Monash research and discoveries through patenting, licensing, partnerships and new spinout companies.
CREATION OF NEW VENTURES
Our New Ventures and Investment team supports the creation of new spinout companies through mentoring potential founders, helping source investment, setting up companies and providing ongoing support to our growing investment portfolio of potential high growth companies.
– Community and co-working space
– Entrepreneurial skills workshops
– Pre-accelerator and Accelerator programs
– Mentor and adviser networks
– Innovation advice
– Opportunity assessment
– IP protection and management
– Licensing and transactions
– Capital raising
– Proof of Concept funding
– Pre-seed investment
– New venture support
– Advice and coaching to inventors and founders
– Equity portfolio management
ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES OF THE AGE
CLIMATE CHANGE
Ground-breaking technologies from world-class research and innovative solutions from our researchers and founders contribute to our collective goal of addressing climate change.
GEOPOLITICAL SECURITY
Monash University has made a commitment through its Impact 2030 strategy to respond to the most pressing challenges of our time: climate change, geopolitical insecurity and thriving communities. At Monash Innovation, we are helping to deliver on this strategy to make a significant impact for the betterment of our world and to better support mission-driven initiatives.
THRIVING COMMUNITIES
Innovating to enable complex system change, creating tangible solutions that address geopolitical and societal challenges at a global scale.
EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
At Monash Innovation, we are deeply committed to playing our role in equity, diversity and inclusion by ensuring equitable representation in the technology we develop, the talent we nurture, and the companies we support. Our activities aim to deliver progress against the following goals:
01
Strong collaborative partnerships across the University
Enhanced knowledge and awareness of equity, diversity and inclusion within our community
A diverse community at all levels of the organisation
Medical, health and technological breakthrough innovations and ideas support transformative responses for communities locally, nationally and globally.
Dismantled barriers through structural change
Enhanced intersectional data, reporting and evaluation
IMPACT IN NUMBERS
*Spinout companies are based on Monash IP in which Monash may or may not hold equity (still active - no payout or exit as yet)
** Startup companies are not based on Monash IP. The Accelerator is the flagship Generator program and has a fixed cohort of 10-12 teams and can support both startup and spinout companies.
SPINOUT AND START UP PERFORMANCE
$982M
Total capital raised for all Monash spinouts and startups over the last five years
$5.25M AUD
Grants raised for Generator Founder startup companies*
IN THE MEDIA
Spinout companies in the current Monash equity portfolio
33 $66.7M AUD
Investment raised by Generator Founder startup companies*
In 2023, Monash University’s spinout companies and Generator startups significantly impacted the media landscape, attracting widespread attention and delivering influential contributions across multiple platforms.
Spinout companies have reached an exit through IPO thus far
7 >300
Jobs created from Generator Founder startup projects*
* This data was collected from Pitchbook, Dec 2023 1.37M
MILESTONE MOMENTS
Kicked off recruitment to uplift capacity, capability and service delivery
Enhanced MedTech commercialisation services
Resseptor Therapeutics spinout company created for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer
Monash Innovation expanded to amplify impact and foster a cohesive ecosystem for innovation and launched new website
2023
Mindset Health raised $17.8M AUD in Series A to tackle depression, anxiety and chronic pain with hypnosis
Five Monash research commercialisation projects awarded round 2 funding by Australia’s national biotech incubator, CUREator, as part of a $12M AUD package
Jupiter Ionics announced as finalist in The Spinoff Prize 2023, a Nature Award
Dr Alastair Hick won Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia award
Expanded commercialisation services to Humanities Arts and Social Sciences
The Generator expanded into Malaysia
Monash Innovation headquarters moved to purpose-built office in the heart of the new Monash Innovation Labs
Jupiter Ionics raised $9M AUD from three new investors Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers, CIMIC Group, and Breakthrough Victoria
Aravax raised $40M USD including first investment from Uniseed and funds from Breakthrough Victoria
2023
The Generator Showcase Event hosted over 300 people to hear from 10 Monash Generator Accelerator teams
New $15M AUD pre-seed investment fund announced as a joint venture between Monash University and Breakthrough Victoria
Monash spinout Kite Magnetics pitched as one of 25 global ventures for the Science Breakthrough of the Year Award at the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin
Joined investment fund Uniseed to supercharge innovation success
OUR WORK IN FOCUS RESEARCH COMMERCIALISATION
Monash Innovation, working together with our industry partners, has a successful history of commercialising new products and services. We have a flexible approach to developing our technologies, including a licensing model with a focus on achieving the greatest impact from Monash research.
Our Commercialisation & IP team is structured into specialist Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Medtech and Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences portfolios working with researchers and faculties across a broad range of innovations and technologies.
We support researchers by developing a commercialisation pathway, providing expert advice on opportunity assessment, IP protection and management, licensing and transactions, and capital raising. Additionally, our New Ventures team assists in starting and supporting spinout companies. This comprehensive support helps transform Monash University research into real-world impact.
WE WORK ACROSS:
LIFE SCIENCES
Vaccines, diagnostics, regenerative medicine, and therapeutics, including small molecules, antibodies, biologics, and cell therapies
PHYSICAL SCIENCES
Novel materials, climate, energy, manufacturing, robotics, AI and quantum
MEDTECH
Reconstructive and active implantables, diagnostics, patient monitoring and wearables, drug delivery systems, imaging and digital health solutions
HASS
Education, arts, design & architecture, people, culture and economy, social and behavioural sciences
LICENSING AND SPINOUT PIPELINES AND PORTFOLIOS
Monash University has significant research capability across a wide range of sectors, from biotech and pharma through to energy, climate change and AI. Our research output matched with our innovative culture drives a strong and growing portfolio of technologies within our licensing and spinout pipeline.
SPINOUT GROWTH AT MONASH
Over the last decade, we have seen significant growth in the creation of spinout companies at Monash in addition to a number of substantial licence deals with a wide range of organisations.
FUNDS AND INVESTMENTS
Monash University is nurturing the next-generation of spinout companies through support, including investment and other funding, to increase the university’s potential to create lasting and positive societal impacts through successful companies and mission-driven initiatives.
MONASH UNIVERSITY INVESTMENT FUNDS
Monash University is an active investor in many spinouts that are launched to translate research and intellectual property using funds from previous commercialisation successes. By investing early, often alongside our investor partners, we can help attract early stage capital and accelerate the growth of these companies beyond our own investments.
MONASH INVESTMENT HOLDINGS (MIH) MONASH PRE SEED FUND
Founded in 2002, Monash Investment Holdings (MIH) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Monash University. MIH holds equity from spinout licence deals and actively invests in companies that are commercialising University-developed technology and IP.
OUR FUNDING PARTNERS
Our strong and established partnerships with venture capital firms and commercialisation funds offer funding, facilities, expertise and access to global markets to enhance commercialisation success for Monash spinout companies.
Beyond these formal partnerships, Monash Innovation nurtures strong relationships with a range of national and international investors who invest in, or are interested in investing in, research backed ventures from the University.
In partnership with Breakthrough Victoria, Monash University has $15M AUD in pre-seed funds to develop investment-ready spinouts from exciting research and innovation. Access to networks, expertise and mentoring is also available to accelerate research translation and commercialisation.
ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAINING AND PROGRAMS
Monash Innovation’s entrepreneurship hub, The Generator, leads on entrepreneurial skills education, startup founder talent development and the nurturing of an innovative and collaborative entrepreneurial ecosystem at Monash University.
OUR 2023 ACTIVITY
ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCES
1,175 PARTICIPANTS
We offer opportunities across Monash for participants to gain access to entrepreneurial experiences through the delivery of workshops, events and masterclasses with experienced and successful entrepreneurs.
The Generator’s role at Monash is to be a catalyst for change through entrepreneurship, inspiring and empowering the Monash community to create impactful change in industry, research and, of course, startups.
Through structured programs, self-directed digital learning, events, community and storytelling, The Generator creates a pathway for Monash students, staff, researchers, and alumni to take ideas forward and connect to other innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers at Monash University.
ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAMS
171 PARTICIPANTS
Our suite of entrepreneurial programs support bright ideas and innovations of researchers, staff, students and alumni at all stages of the startup journey. We help with the validation of ideas through to launching a potential high growth company.
ENTREPRENEURIAL PROJECTS
106 PROJECTS
We work to bring the right tailored support to the best and brightest startup founders, helping them launch startups or projects, ensuring their ideas are validated, tested with a viable business model, and prepared for scaling.
Prisca Ongonga-Daehn, Baresop Generator Founder
ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAMS
At The Generator, we work with students, staff, alumni, and researchers who are passionate about solving problems that matter. From the spark of an idea to Series A fundraising, our entrepreneurial programs offer tailored support that can make a real difference to the success of the venture.
RESEARCHER TO INNNOVATOR
Validation of Ideas
Early programs that provide the principles of lean startup and help founders understand the problem space Validated ideas that are supported to test and build out the business model
ventures are progressed for market readiness
Scale
Startups are provided tailored mentoring, support and introductions to investors beyond programs
98 Individual participants 61 Teams completed
The Validator is our earliest stage program where we work with participants who have potentially disruptive ideas and help turn them into solutions to problems through validating the idea with their potential customers.
Designed for researchers to understand what commercial pathways exist for their research or innovation and give them the tools and access to the support that they need to achieve real impact.
Startup Sprint supports early-stage founders with a validated startup idea to rapidly refine their business model, with the support of a program structure, expert insights and mentoring. This leads to high growth potential startups in rapid time.
The flagship 3 month Accelerator program is for early stage startups and research innovation to accelerate their market growth or rapidly progress the market readiness of a research innovation project. These are early stage companies with founder teams that show real potential and often lead to our most impactful startups.
RESEARCHER
RESEARCHER
LEAH MARTINEZ, SONOROUS
“If I could tell future accelerator founders one thing, it is that the more you give to the program, the more you get out of it. Give it your all and dive headfirst and you will reap the benefits tenfold - I’ve grown so much over the last 10 weeks through the program and I think one of the best decisions you can make as a startup founder is to join the program.”
Validation of Ideas
Validation of Ideas Early programs that provide the principles of lean startup and help founders understand the problem space
GABRIEL TUCKER, WONKI
JOHN NGUYEN, BUSHRIDE
“The Accelerator does an amazing job at giving you a space to be around other founders trying to grow rapidly, and a place to hold yourself accountable, and to lean into experts to accelerate your growth.”
Startups
provided tailored mentoring, support and introductions to investors beyond programs
“Coming into The Accelerator, I thought I knew enough about startups and that my pitch style was enough to get by. Now graduating from The Accelerator, regardless of Bushride, I can outright say that I have personally improved so much… I have grown as a person in the last 3 months more than I have over the last 3 years.”
STARTUPS
INCUBATION AND FACILITIES
Recognising the importance of physical spaces in incubating collaboration and growth, Monash has made significant strides in expanding our facilities for startups and spinouts.
The Generator Co-Working Space, Monash MakerSpace and the newly launched Monash Innovation Labs, serve as vital hubs for entrepreneurial activities on campus. They enable the exchange of ideas, rapid problem solving and are exciting places to witness innovation and growth first hand. We see the companies learn from each other, as well as from the support and networks that we help them access, developing a true entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Additionally, we’re looking forward to the opening of the Victorian Health Innovation Centre in 2024. This new addition will further enhance our capabilities to support health-related innovations.
These developments reflect our ongoing commitment to providing the resources and facilities necessary for our entrepreneurial community to thrive, underscoring our belief in their potential in the Monash entrepreneurial and innovation community.
IMPACT STORIES
PIONEERING CLEAN AGRICULTURE, ENERGY AND TRANSPORT WITH GREEN AMMONIA
For over a century, every tonne of ammonia produced using current industrial processes has generated on average more than 2 tonnes of CO2 Ammonia, however, is a central component in fertiliser production - in many ways, it literally puts food on the table. Jupiter Ionics is transforming this narrative with their breakthrough electrochemical cell that produces ‘green ammonia’ using only water, air, and renewable energy, eliminating CO2 emissions entirely.
Utilised predominantly as fertiliser in agriculture, which accounts for about 80% of global ammonia production, green ammonia also promises to revolutionise transport, shipping, and aviation by serving as a clean fuel source. This innovation not only enhances energy storage capabilities but also boosts the export potential of renewable energy.
As we transition towards a net-zero economy, the role of ammonia is becoming increasingly vital. Jupiter Ionics is leading this charge, scaling their pioneering technology to meet a rapidly growing market currently valued at $70 billion and expected to quadruple by 2050. With strategic production plans to accelerate the scale up of a self-contained system that takes in water, air and uses renewable energy to produce ammonia, Jupiter is well-positioned to capitalise on this growth.
Website: jupiterionics.com
Year Established 2021
Technology
CEO
Charlie Day
Lead Researchers
Professor Douglas MacFarlane
Associate Professor Alexandr (Sasha) Simonov (not pictured)
Energy and Climate Change
Innovation Pathway Monash University spinout
Monash University Faculty Science
Investors Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy and Fertilisers, Breakthrough Victoria, CIMIC Group, JCVC (John Clifford), Monash University, Olabella (Roger Gillespie), Tenacious Ventures
Awards 2023 Finalist AFR Award for Research Commercialisation Excellence, 2022 Top 25 Science Startups at Falling Walls Venture Summit
Employees 20
ACCELERATING GREEN AVIATION WITH ULTRA-QUIET, HIGH-PERFORMANCE NANOCRYSTALLINE ELECTRIC MOTORS
Global aviation, which accounted for 2.5% of all CO2 emissions in 2018* and faced a fuel bill estimated at £188 billion in 2019**, along with affecting millions globally through noise pollution, is poised for transformation. Spearheading efforts towards a greener, more cost-effective, quieter, and efficient future in aviation and transport, Kite Magnetics is developing ground-breaking electric motor technology—Aeroperm™.
Aeroperm™ is a novel nanocrystalline magnetic material made with advanced manufacturing methods. This innovation allows electric motors and generators to be significantly lighter and more efficient, featuring an energy loss ten times smaller than that of materials used in conventional electric motors.
In response to the global push towards more sustainable energy practices, Kite Magnetics is fundamentally re-engineering electric motors. As funding opportunities continue to rise, the company is preparing for significant advancements in the coming years, but with their quiet, lightweight motors, you might not hear them coming.
Website: kitemagnetics.com
* Our World in Data
** International Air Transport Association
Year Established 2021
Technology Materials Science and Manufacturing
Innovation Pathway Monash University spinout
Monash University Faculty Engineering
Investors
Investible, Breakthrough Victoria, Galileo Ventures, Boson Ventures, NOAB Ventures and Possible Ventures
Global markets Worldwide customers collaborating with some of the largest aerospace partners in the industry, testing technology advancements including French hydrogen fuel cell developer H3 Dynamics
Awards Startup Solution of the Year award from iAwards in 2022. Finalist in the 2023 Australian Aviation Awards in the start-up of the year category
Global recognition Selected to present at the 2024 Climate Investor Forum and as one of 25 Winners out of 113 finalists of 2023 Falling Walls Venture
Employees 8
Lead Researcher Professor Kiyonori Suzuki
Founder & CEO
Dr Richard Parsons
PRECISION
PERFECTED IN THE EVER-GROWING 3D PRINTING INDUSTRY
Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, stands at the forefront of technological innovation offering unparalleled complexity and design intricacy for metal parts. Despite its advanced capabilities, the challenge of maintaining consistency and minimising defects has been a notable hurdle, as even slight deviations or errors can impact the final product’s quality. Additive Assurance is poised to disrupt this pattern with their novel sensing technology, AMiRISTM
AMiRIS™ acts as a process monitoring and quality assurance solution for metal 3D printing and enhances quality control, reproducibility, and full process traceability in laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) for the aerospace, defence, energy, and medicine sectors. Through a suite of tools harnessing the power of optical sensors, machine learning and artificial intelligence AMiRISTM provides rich insight and control over the 3D printing process.
With real-time defect alerts built in, the technology can provide a level of quality control unmatched in the industry, increasing the productivity and distribution readiness of its users.
The Australian Additive Manufacturing Market is predicted to reach well over USD $400 million by 2030* with global markets estimated to top USD $95 billion by 2032. If reliability and consistency continue to plague the industry, Additive Assurance’s AMiRISTM is perfectly placed to revolutionise multiple industries and usher in a new era of dependable L-PBF.
Website: additiveassurance.com
*nextmsc.com
Publish Date: July 2023
Year Established 2019
Technology
Innovation Pathway
Monash University
Faculty
Co-founder and CEO
Dr Marten Jurg
Co-founder and CSO
Dr Andrey Molotnikov
Materials Science and Manufacturing
Monash University spinout
Engineering
Investors IP Group, Monash University, Significant Capital Ventures
Global Markets Major German automotive companies, major manufacturing conglomerate, US aerospace primes, and Australian partners in the defence and energy sectors
Awards 2022 Best Spin-out at the KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards
Generator Accelerator Program (2018) Alumni
Current Team Size
Co-Founder and CEO Marten Jurg
19 with 12 direct employees (60% of whom are Monash alumni)
MIND MATTERS - IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES WITH WORLD-LEADING HYPNOTHERAPY THAT FITS IN YOUR POCKET
Black box labels, side-effects, long waitlists and at the end of it all, a solution that falls short. Managing conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), menopausal hot flushes or withdrawal symptoms from quitting smoking can be arduous, tiresome and painful - but Mindset Health is out to prove that the answer already lies within.
Mindset Health is unlocking the power of the mind through evidence-based, self-managed hypnotherapy and educational resources. Their digital therapeutics are available via smartphone apps targeting IBS, menopause and the cessation of smoking, engaging over 150,000 people to date.
Their innovative approach not only caters to the rising demand for effective, non-drug health solutions but does so with a smart blend of modern convenience and scientific rigour catering to both individuals and clinicians. Having launched an app for anxiety and depression, with ambitious plans to tackle chronic pain next, Mindset Health is expanding the reach and impact of at-home hypnotherapy for thousands of people across the globe.
Website: mindsethealth.com
Innovation
Co-Founders and Co-CEOs
Alex Naoumidis and Chris Naoumidis
The Generator Accelerator program startup (2017)
Investors King River Capital, Tenmile, Alumni Ventures, Alberts Impact Investing, Y Combinator, Startmate and others
Research Partners
Monash University and Baylor University
Global markets Worked with over 5,000 clinicians and have reached over 150,000 members across the globe
INNOVATING IMMUNITY - ARAVAX’S
PVX108 BREAKS GROUND IN SAFE PEANUT ALLERGY TREATMENT
Peanut allergies among children have long been a familiar issue, with approximately 3% of the infant population affected*. Oral immunotherapy for peanut allergies is a well-established treatment method, but exposing patients to the allergens or extracts can have more risks than is necessary.
Aravax is developing a novel disease-modifying treatment for peanut allergy., Their lead product, PVX108, uses a peptide immunotherapy to reset allergen-specific T-cells to restore tolerance to food allergens. Because it does not contain whole peanut proteins, PVX108 greatly reduces the risk of treatmentinduced acute reactions, which is a significant concern with current treatments.
PVX108 has shown promising results in Phase 1 clinical safety trials that began in 2017. It was well-tolerated by participants and showed signals of immunological changes that are associated with improved tolerance to peanut protein. These results were recently published (doi:10.1111/all.15966).
Aravax received the green light to proceed with Phase 2 trials of PVX108 in 2022. These trials commenced in adolescent patients with peanut allergy in Australia in 2023. The trial was then expanded to include trial centres in the U.S. early 2024, and currently, the trial is recruiting children aged 4-11 in both countries. This expansion into the US market significantly boosts the reach and impact of Aravax’s treatment, positioning the company to tap into a potential billion dollar annual peanut allergy market.
Website: aravax.com.au
*Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Pictured from the Aravax Team
Dr Sara Prickett, Judy Bingham, CEO
Dr Pascal Hickey, Dr Paul Laidler, Dr Andrew Humberstone
Aravax Co-founder
Professor Robyn O’Hehir
Investors Brandon BioCapital, Novartis Venture Fund, Tenmile, Breakthrough Victoria, Uniseed, UniSuper, and Agati Capital
Development Initiated a phase-two clinical trial of PVX108, Aravax’s lead product for the treatment of peanut allergy
TAMING TUMMIES - THE LOW FODMAP DIET APP THAT IS TRANSFORMING IBS MANAGEMENT ACROSS THE WORLD
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 15% of the global population, or 1 in 7 people, making it a tricky task to navigate the dietary minefield of certain foods high in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs).
Monash University’s Low FODMAP Diet App provides sufferers of IBS with a complete guide to the low FODMAP diet, including related recipes, information and recommendations about which foods to eat, and which to avoid.
The FODMAP app takes the guess-work out of how much food can be safely consumed, helping people to manage symptoms of IBS by restricting foods that are high in FODMAPs. Developed by the team that first developed the FODMAP Diet, the app contains a comprehensive list of food in a traffic light system to support safe eating habits that can reduce the impact of IBS.
Already downloaded in over 100 countries worldwide, along with “The Cookbook” launched in 2023, Monash’s FODMAP App greatly improves the lives of millions of people who suffer from IBS.
Website: monashfodmap.com
Year Established 2012
Technology
Innovation Pathway
Monash University Faculty
Circular business model
Medtech, Digital and AI
Monash University licence
Medicine, Nursing and Health Science
All resource sales fund further FODMAP and IBS research at Monash fueling further innovations, education and opportunities to evolve and adapt as new research and insights emerge
Global markets Downloaded in over 100 countries worldwide
Employees 12
Right to left
Prof Peter Gibson, Elizabeth Ly, Alex Bogatyrev, Dr Jane Varney, Dakota Rhys-Jones, A/Prof Jane Muir, Chloe Swiney, Dr CK Yao, Bala Natarajanm, Emily Clarke, Lyndal Collins and Jimmy Lee
Chronic inflammatory diseases can be difficult to treat. The Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products (RAGE) is an important therapeutic target in a wide range of inflammatory diseases. RAGE Biotech has found a way to block its damaging role in disease by harnessing cutting edge ribonucleic acid (RNA) targeting and therapeutic peptide technologies to bring an effective RAGE modulator to the clinic.
These therapies can block pro-inflammatory signalling through RAGE, and in the case of the company’s RNA medicines, enhance the receptor’s naturally occurring anti-inflammatory splice form. The company’s leading medication, RBr042, is designed to combat chronic lung inflammation and comes in the form of an inhaled RNA oligonucleotide. It is currently in the final stages of preclinical development as a nebulized treatment, in preparation for Phase 1 clinical trials. Additional products in the discovery phase will target afflictions such as liver disease, kidney disease and neurodegenerative disease.
With the potential to benefit more than 300 million people worldwide* their breakthrough drugs could minimise the harm and long-term impacts people with chronic inflammatory conditions may suffer.
Website: ragebiotech.com
*Global Burden of Disease Study 20, Lancet 386:743-800 (2015)
Year Established
Technology
Innovation Pathway
CEO Christopher Wraight, Research Fellow Dr Raelene Pickering Department of Diabetes with Lead Researcher & Academic Founder Professor Merlin Thomas
2020
Biotech and Pharma
Monash University spinout
Monash University Faculty Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science
Investors IP Group, Monash Investment Holdings, University of Western Australia, Perron Institute, HostPlus
Grants CUREator fund, mRNA Victoria and NHMRC
Global recognition Featured Showcase Company at the American Thoracic Society ATS2023 Meeting ‘Respiratory Innovation Summit’ in Washington DC in 2023
Current Employees
1 (End Dec ‘23)
Scaling research commercialisation education program
Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) + MedTech research commercialisation services
