About CUREator
CUREator’s mission is to support the biotechnology sector by advancing promising research from the lab to the clinic and market, benefiting patients, providing a return on research investment and growing the Australian biotech industry.
CUREator is a national biotechnology incubator that assists research projects with commercial potential, new biotech spinouts from academic research and small—to medium-sized biotech enterprises. Supported by Brandon BioCatalyst, CUREator helps these opportunities achieve key technical and commercial milestones to secure follow-on investments or partnerships.
The Opportunity
Australia has world-leading medical research and clinical capabilities supported by significant government funding. However, many notable innovations and discoveries from early-stage research have struggled to find the relevant expertise and initial financial support to guide them towards ‘investment-ready’ opportunities.
Early funding pathways and expert assistance are essential to bridge this gap and grow the Australian biotech sector. CUREator builds on Brandon BioCatalyst’s experience and proven track record in effectively managing Australia’s development, translation, and commercialisation of biomedical discoveries.
How CUREator Works
CUREator adopts the established review processes of the Brandon BioCatalyst investment model, ensuring thorough due diligence, expert advice, and independent investment insights. CUREator seeks the most promising and impactful Australian biotech innovations and looks to provide them with funding and support.
CUREator Programs
CUREator manages several grant funding programs, supporting the development of innovations addressing health needs.
Early-Stage Translation and Commercialisation (ESTAC) Programs: Pre-clinical and clinical stage. Funding is derived from the Australian Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund.
Biomedtech Incubator (BMTI) Program: In partnership with ANDHealth. Funding is derived from the Australian Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund.
BMTI Dementia & Cognitive Decline Program: In collaboration with ANDHealth and Dementia Australia. Funding is derived from the Australian Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund.
Health Security and Minimising Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) Grants. Funding is derived from, and the program is delivered in conjunction with the CSIRO, Australia’s National Science Agency.
A more detailed review of the programs can be found in the Program Overview section.
CUREator Process
The CUREator’s process covers five key stages: Expression of Interest (EOI), EOI Shortlisting, Full Application Shortlisting, Due Diligence, and Investment Endorsement.
* Expressions of Interest and Applications are evaluated by a minimum of three individual assessors, who independently score each submission based on the assessment criteria. Scores are then aggregated and discussed in the CUREator IRC committee meeting.
The Investment Review Committees (IRCs) for each CUREator program make all funding decisions. IRCs are comprised of members with combined expertise in biomedical research and commercialisation.
In the case of targeted funding programs, the members are selected based on their subject-matter expertise on the relevant indication/area of interest. The combined commercial expertise of the committee members includes business development experience, clinical trial management, legal and IP (Intellectual Property) experience, former pharma experience, or startup/biotech management.
Each committee comprises members of Australian research institutes/universities and experts who represent a subset of the national research institutes/university sector or other specific program participants.
All IRC members are appointed under strict Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest policies. The committee declares and appropriately manages any conflicts, including those involving program participants Brandon BioCatalyst Members and Brandon Capital staff, to ensure fair and unbiased funding decisions by the IRC.
CUREator Investment Review Committee (IRC) Members
| CUREator ESTAC Preclinical & Clinical | CUREator+ BMTI | CUREator+ BMTI Dementia and Cognitive Decline | CUREator AMR and Health Security | |
| Non-Voting Chair | Dr Michael Bettess | Dr Michael Bettess | Dr Michael Bettess | Dr Michael Bettess |
| Independent IRC Members | Dr Julian Clark | Dr Julian Clark | Dr Julian Clark | Dr Julian Clark |
| National Representative IRC Members | Dr Aoife Cullen** | Dr Aoife Cullen | Dr Aoife Cullen
Pradeep Babu Sadasivan Pillai M.D. Dr Tanya Petrovich (Dementia Australia) Rachel Peek (Dementia Australia) |
Dr Aoife Cullen
Dr Alisha Anderson (CSIRO/ Health Security) Dr Branwen Morgan (CSIRO/AMR) |
* Clinical stream only
** Preclinical Stream only
Portfolio
The first CUREator cohort was founded in mid-2022. In under 2 years, the incubator is already starting to generate tangible outcomes that positively impact the Australian BioMedTech sector.
This impact is reflected in support for biotech companies and the creation of new startups, which have supported or created more than 120 jobs in the sector.
Funded opportunities involve expanding networks, formalising previous collaborations, or establishing new ones with local Research Institutes / Universities or local contracted CROs (contract research organizations). As much as 25% of the funding provided is redistributed into the local biotech ecosystem.
The funding deployed by CUREator has resulted in the commitment of more than 1:1 leverage funding from the project’s parent institutions, resulting in additional internal support for the opportunities. Several CUREator awardees have collectively raised over AU$40m in seed funding and partnering collaborations, with several more negotiating term sheets with local and international investors.
Program Overview
CUREator+
Support for novel or repurposed drugs (pre-clinical and clinical), medical devices, and digital health technologies. You can read more here.
It is delivered in partnership with ANDHealth and with funding from the MRFF.
CUREator+ Dementia and Cognitive Decline
Support for novel or repurposed drugs (pre-clinical or clinical), early diagnostics, biomarkers, assistive and medical devices, and digital technologies that will prolong or improve the lives of Australians living with dementia and their caregivers. You can read more here.
Delivered in partnership with ANDHealth and Dementia Australia and with funding from the MRFF.
Preclinical Stream
Supports preclinical medical research or medical innovation projects with commercial potential. You can read more here.
It was delivered with funding from the MRFF.
Clinical Stream
It supports the clinical development of novel drugs or novel uses for existing drugs with commercial potential. You can read more here.
It was delivered with funding from the MRFF.
Health Security Stream
Supports projects that improve Australia’s preparedness and responsiveness to human health threats. You can read more here.
It was delivered with funding from the CSIRO.
Minimising Antimicrobial Resistance Stream
It supports projects developing technologies that improve the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and response to antimicrobial resistance. You can read more here.
It was delivered with funding from the CSIRO.
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