Posted: 1 February 2024
Developing antiviral therapeutics for respiratory infections using gene editing and mRNA technologies and creating a suite of precision microbiome-based biotherapeutics are just two groundbreaking projects being funded by the Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics (Cumming Global Centre) as part of its inaugural Foundation Grants program.
Twenty two teams from the Doherty Institute, the University of Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne Hospital received a collective AU$17 million in Round One of the Foundation Grants for projects to develop novel therapeutics for pathogens of pandemic potential in line with the Centre’s mission.
Inaugural Director of the Cumming Global Centre and the Doherty Institute, Melbourne Laureate Professor Sharon Lewin, congratulated the recipients and said she was extremely excited to see these projects come to fruition.
“Effective and timely delivery of therapeutics has the potential to transform how the next pandemic is managed and these projects all aim to use novel technologies that will fill the current global gap in this area,” said Professor Lewin.
“The calibre of applications we received was exceptional and to be able to fund 41 per cent of the 53 grants is something we are incredibly proud of and thankful for with the establishment of the Cumming Global Centre.
“Over 100 researchers will contribute to these innovative projects that will utilise and uncover the latest technology to develop new therapeutics at speed. Sixty per cent of these projects will be led by early to mid career researchers, which is a terrific result, and demonstrates the incredible pipeline of talent here in Melbourne.”
Review of Round Two of the Foundation Grants program is currently underway, which is offering a pool of up to AU$5 million in funding to researchers globally.
Minister for Medical Research Ben Carroll said these grants are helping Victoria prepare for possible future pandemics.
“These grants are supporting research that will help Victoria prepare for possible future pandemics and advance new technologies to help save lives.”
Launched in August 2022, the Doherty Institute’s Cumming Global Centre was made possible by the exceptional generosity of international businessman and philanthropist, Mr Geoffrey Cumming, who donated $250 million to establish the Centre. The Victorian Government has joined as a main supporting partner, initially committing $75 million in recognition of the critical need to advance the science behind therapeutics.
