Development Of Stable Human Antibody Phage Display Libraries
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$539,644.00
Summary
Antibodies are blockbuster therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and inflammation. Unfortunately, they often display limited stability which greatly hinders development and production. This project focuses on the construction of large libraries of stable antibodies, thereby streamlining the development of new therapeutics.
Monoclonal antibodies, such as the cancer therapeutic Pembrolizumab, have revolutionised the treatment of cancer and many inflammatory conditions. With over $100 billion in sales in 2018, they also underpin a growing biotech industry. We have developed a highly specific, high affinity therapeutic antibody candidate, and demonstrated efficacy in animal models of malignancy. This project will advance and develop this monoclonal, allowing us to initiate clinical studies in patients.
Biothermosetting Bone Filler: An Injectable Osteoconductive Repair Material
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$601,698.00
Summary
Bone injury is a common and profoundly debilitating issue, and is responsible for extended partial or complete loss of mobility and associated economic impact during slow healing. There is strong demand for technology that reduces the time taken for bone repair. There is still a paucity of clinically effective biocompatible materials for treatment. We have developed a novel approach for a thermoresponsive hydrogel with unique properties suitable for rapid bone filling and regeneration.
Anticalins: Inhalable Biologicals For Severe Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$577,933.00
Summary
This grant aims to develop a new class of medicines called 'anticalins'. Anticalins behave like a successful class of medicines called monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). MAbs are too fragile and large to be inhaled to treat lung disease but anticalins are small and robust. We will be developing an anticalin (PRS-060) which blocks damaging immune reactions in severe asthma. By inhaling PRS-060 we hope to make a new and clinically useful medicine for a common form of poorly-controlled severe asthma.
Preclinical Validation Of First In Man Endovascular Brain Machine Interface Device
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$870,000.00
Summary
The stentrode technology has been given significant public attention, following publication in the fourth highest impact factor journal 'Nature Biotechnology' and a public statement of endorsement by the President of the United States in 2016. The program now seeks to conduct a preclinical validation program to satisfy the FDA in its requirements to provide Investigational Device Exemption (IDE).
Sortase Peptide Technology: Enzymatic Site-specific Bioconjugation To Improve Antibody Drug Conjugate Production And Performance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$402,046.00
Summary
Cancer is characterised by uncontrolled cell growth, leading to invasion and destruction of adjacent tissues. It is a major cause of death in Australia. Targeted drug delivery is an attractive therapeutic strategy that has the potential to lower systemic drug concentrations and reduce side effects. We are developing more efficient cancer drugs.
Black Out Advisory System - Development Of An Implantable Sub-scalp Seizure Monitor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$868,402.00
Summary
Blackouts may result from seizures or heart problems, and incorrect diagnosis exposes patients to risk and limits activities. Diagnosis is difficult because these events are infrequent. Implantable monitors are useful in diagnosing cardiac abnormalities, but prolonged seizure monitoring has not been feasible. This system will use a minimally invasive implant inserted under the scalp enabling distinction of epileptic from non-epileptic causes. The implant also has the capability to improve patien ....Blackouts may result from seizures or heart problems, and incorrect diagnosis exposes patients to risk and limits activities. Diagnosis is difficult because these events are infrequent. Implantable monitors are useful in diagnosing cardiac abnormalities, but prolonged seizure monitoring has not been feasible. This system will use a minimally invasive implant inserted under the scalp enabling distinction of epileptic from non-epileptic causes. The implant also has the capability to improve patient safety through remote monitoring.Read moreRead less
A Bispecific Antibody To Synergise Checkpoint Blockers In Oncology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,492.00
Summary
Cancer hides from the immune system in its earliest stages by evading immune surveillance and a cell type named myeloid derived suppressor cell (MDSC) has been identified as the main accomplice in this evasion. Currently, there is no drugs able to specifically target those cells. Here, we will develop a new drug that will prevent their recruitment to the tumors. We believe that when use in synergy with recent immunotherapies, it will dramatically improve survival in cancer patients.
Development Of A High Acuity, Diamond Retinal Prosthesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,010,214.00
Summary
Over recent years our team has developed a retinal implant to restore sight to people with certain types of blindness. With 256 independently controllable electrodes this device is among the most sophisticated in the world. We aim to conduct experiments to demonstrate that our device can provide improved better visual acuity than the world leaders with a view to developing a competitive commercial medical technology.
Hear Assure: Saving Natural Hearing During Cochlear Implantation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,058,537.00
Summary
Cochlear implants provide hearing by electrical stimulation of the hearing nerve. Even people receiving cochlear implants may have natural hearing, which is lost in up to 70% of patients through trauma caused during implantation. This is a major barrier to the adoption of cochlear implants. To overcome this, we will deliver Hear Assure, our novel hearing-monitoring product that is integrated with the cochlear implant, enabling safe positioning of the implant to minimise loss of natural hearing.