22 May 2024 Melbourne: The CUREator+ Dementia and Cognitive Decline incubator program, a partnership between Brandon BioCatalyst, ANDHealth and Dementia Australia, has opened its first funding round.
Companies pioneering innovative health technologies to enhance the lives of individuals affected by dementia and cognitive decline are set to receive up to $5 million per project in non-dilutive project funding, a substantial boost for their innovative solutions.
Funded by the Federal Government’s $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), the program aims to support the development of novel approaches, spanning therapeutics, diagnostics, assistive and medical devices and digital health technologies, that will prolong or improve the lives of the estimated 421,000 Australians currently living with Dementia and the 1.6 million caregivers who support them.
Dr Kaele Stokes, Executive Director Services, Advocacy & Research at Dementia Australia said, “We welcome the innovative and important work of researchers and companies who aim to achieve outstanding results in the field. This funding will contribute to the ongoing support and quality of life for people living with dementia and those involved in their care. We are delighted that people with a living experience of dementia will be assisting and advising on this significant project.”
The program delivers funding in tranches tied to mutually agreed-upon milestones and will leverage Australia’s globally recognised life sciences research and health technology strengths to enhance the commercialisation and translation of innovations that improve health and wellbeing.
By aligning funding incentives and progress, CUREator+ aims to cultivate a thriving local ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship dedicated to tackling the escalating global issue of Dementia and Cognitive Decline.
Dr Chris Nave, Brandon BioCatalyst co-founder and CEO, “Australia is home to some of the world’s leading neuroscience researchers, and the CUREator+ Dementia and Cognitive Decline program is tailored to expedite the advancement of their groundbreaking research, nurturing its creation and accelerating its journey into the hands of those who need it most.”
With up to $5 million available, successful companies will be empowered to undertake activities to produce the data that will advance the further development of their product or therapy.
Bronwyn Le Grice, CEO and Managing Director of ANDHealth, said, “Significant advances in technology offer us new ways to diagnose, treat and support those living with dementia and cognitive decline. From the development and application of artificial intelligence-based solutions to digitally-enabled, transformative models of care, this program will provide critical support to a new generation of connected health technologies, which offer immense potential to enhance both the quality and length of life for patients.”
Applications for the CUREator + Dementia and Cognitive Decline Incubator are now open to entrepreneurial researchers, clinical innovators, and founders across Australia. For more information about the program, the expression of interest and evaluation process, please visit https://cureatorplus.grantplatform.com/
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Note to Editors:
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Brandon BioCatalyst – Kirrily Davis, Head of Brand, Communications and Engagement kdavis@brandoncapital.com.au, +61 401 220 228.
ANDHealth – Amy Miller, WE Communications, amymi@we-worldwide.com, +61 431 072 422
About CUREator
CUREator is a national biotechnology incubator by Brandon BioCatalyst that supports Australian biomedical research and innovation development. Funded by the Medical Research Future Fund and Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, CUREator provides grant funding programs for opportunities spanning from discovery to clinical development. Funding is provided like an investor with clear milestone-driven tranches to achieve key value-adding and de-risking development milestones. CUREator works closely with project teams to guide them through the early development phase, offering scientific and commercial expertise and networks to support projects meeting key outcomes.
About ANDHealth
ANDHealth is Australia’s only organisation that specialises in commercialising evidence-based digital health technologies. We work with Australian digital health companies to commercialise and scale their clinical-grade technologies through the entire commercialisation pathway, from idea to exit.
ANDHealth’s investment readiness program suite and non-dilutive investment programs prepare companies for institutional investment and global enterprise customers and have been proven to positively impact both the number and maturity of companies in the Australian evidence-based digital and connected health sector.
Since 2018, ANDHealth has supported 850 high-growth-potential digital health companies across Australia and delivered over 2,400 hours of direct programming to over 1,680 participants.
For more information about ANDHealth+, visit: ANDHealth+
About Dementia Australia
Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 421,000 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.6 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you.
For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit dementia.org.au
About Brandon BioCatalyst and Brandon Capital
Brandon Capital is Australasia’s leading life science venture capital firm, with a solid global presence supported by key partnerships and team members across the US and UK. Brandon Capital supports life science companies from early-stage seed investment to expansion capital from proof-of-concept to commercialisation.
Managed by Brandon Capital, Brandon BioCatalyst is a unique collaboration of over 50 leading medical research institutes, investors, and government united by a single purpose: progressing the next generation of medical therapies and technology that improve health and save lives.
