Posted: 23 October 2024
Closes: 4 December 2024
CUREator+ is a national program focused on accelerating the research translation and commercialisation of early-stage Australian medical research and medical innovations with commercial potential.
Selected by the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) through a competitive process, Brandon BioCatalyst, managed by Brandon Capital, and ANDHealth will deliver CUREator+ through the $50 million 2021 MRFF BioMedTech Incubator (BMTI) program.
CUREator+ will provide small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) with access to investment capital, commercial guidance, international expert networks, and hands-on support and mentorship to drive the translation and commercialisation of therapeutics (novel and repurposed), devices, diagnostics and digital technologies.
In addition to program oversight, SMEs will be supported to secure follow-on funding and facilitate their continued development to ultimately improve patient outcomes and generate jobs and income for the sector.
CUREator+ will run two funding rounds during the five-year program. The first funding round opened in August 2023 and is now closed. The second funding round is now open for expressions of interest.
Benefits to Applicants
CUREator+ provides non-dilutive grant funding to projects. The funding supports commercially orientated projects, through tranched funding dispersed upon the successful completion of key pre-agreed project milestones.
Successful applicants will benefit from support of the CUREator+ team alongside the broader Brandon BioCatalyst and ANDHealth Teams. CUREator+ will provide successful applicants with hands-on support and access to their global network of experts. In addition, SMEs can expect to benefit from connections to pharmaceutical companies, local and international venture capital firms and institutional investors. Through these networks, CUREator+ will assist projects and companies seeking follow-on funding. SMEs may apply for Brandon BioCatalyst for investment, and this is on an equity investment basis.
Who Can Apply
Funding is available to support preclinical, clinical and/or commercial development of therapeutics (novel or repurposed), diagnostics, medical devices, and digital health technologies, which includes any intervention that prevents, monitors, manages, diagnoses or treats a disease state, its symptoms or risk factors.
- Therapeutics includes various modalities including small molecules, monoclonal antibodies, gene and cell therapies, RNA drugs, antibody-drug conjugates, biologics, targeted protein degraders, nanobodies, theranostics and emerging modalities. Novel drugs or novel uses for existing drugs will be considered.
- Medical devices includes physical forms of instruments, implements, bionics, machines, contrivance, implant, in vitro reagent or similar related article or component part.
- Digital health technologies that use computing platforms, connectivity, software and sensors, either alone or in combination with physical products, to treat, diagnose, cure, mitigate and/or prevent disease or other conditions. Note some therapeutics, devices, diagnostics and biomarkers with significant digital or software components may be considered by CUREator+ as digital health technologies.
Projects applying for CUREator+ funding must demonstrate a product/technology, which has demonstrated Proof of Concept/Proof of Principle. Projects should focus on conducting critical path activities towards achieving preclinical, clinical and/or commercial evidence to significantly improve the project’s ability to commercialise, raise growth capital and/or execute on a market entry or growth strategy.
How to Apply
- Read the instructions and information outlined in the CUREator+ webpage, grant platform and guidelines.
- Attend our CUREator+ information session at 12:00 pm AEDT on Monday 28 October 2024. Click here to register.
- After confirming your eligibility and attending the information session, book a 20-minute meeting with the CUREator+ team to discuss your application. We recommend your review the application form before your meeting.
- Prepare an application that addresses the eligibility and selection criteria and includes all requisite attachments via the online application portal.
- Submit your completed application with all accompanying attachments via the online application portal by 12:00 pm AEDT on 4 December 2024. Late applications will not be considered.
Key Dates
- Expressions of Interest (EOI) opening date: 14 October 2024 at 9:00am (AEDT)
- EOI closing date and time: 4 December 2024 at 12:00pm (AEDT)
- Notification for shortlisting of EOI applicants: From late March 2025
- Full applications from shortlisted applicants due: From mid-May 2025
- Successful applicants funded: From Q3 2025
