Health case studies

From laboratory to billion-dollar deal: NCRIS supports Australian vaccine breakthrough 

When the world needed vaccines developed in weeks, not years, Australian researchers delivered a breakthrough platform that is now reshaping global pandemic preparedness and vaccine development. Researchers at the University of Queensland, enabled by Microscopy Australia and Therapeutic Innovation Australia, have developed a 'molecular clamp' which speeds up the vaccine development process. The success of the clamp has led to a historic commercialisation deal.

Accelerating Australia’s deep-tech startups from discovery to commercial impact 

Through Bioplatforms Australia, Australian biotechnology startups can access national research infrastructure capabilities and translational support to generate critical data, validate innovations and accelerate commercial development. This support has helped three Australian companies — Number 8 Bio, Platypus Bio and HydGene Renewables — advance technologies addressing major challenges across sustainable agriculture, human health and renewable energy.

Read more about the capabilities and support

Enabling a new blood test for earlier breast‑cancer detection 

Breast cancer affects 1 in 7 Australian women, and for almost half of them, dense breast tissue makes tumours harder to detect on a mammogram. To solve this issue, ANSTO's National Deuteration Facility worked with BCAL Diagnostics Pty Ltd to develop BREASTEST plus, a blood test for breast cancer that provides women with an additional, accessible way to support earlier detection.

Revolutionary imaging tool to diagnose prostate cancer 

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for men in Australia. Until recently, diagnosis relied upon physical examinations, biopsies, and conventional imaging which can be less effective in detecting early-stage cancers, leading to diagnosis at more advanced stages, and challenges in identifying spread. In collaboration with the Australian Radiopharmaceutical Trials Network (ARTNet), NIF molecular imaging infrastructure and expertise supported a multi-centre study for a revolutionary imaging tool that can pinpoint tumours in the body.

New approach to targeting antibiotic resistant bacteria 

Finding a way to combat antibiotic resistant bacteria is one of the biggest current problems facing modern medicine and health care around Australia and the world. Polymyxin B is an antibiotic of last resort for treating infections; however, certain bacteria are starting to show signs of resistance even to this. Neutron reflectometry at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering (part of the NCRIS-funded Nuclear Science Facilities) is being used to test different methods for making Polymyxin B more effective.

From discovery to spin-out: advancing new therapies for polycystic kidney disease 

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is one of the most common inherited disorders, often leading to kidney failure and leaving patients dependent on dialysis or transplantation. Researchers at Monash University identified a key cell signalling pathway responsible for the formation and growth of kidney cysts, opening the door to new therapeutic approaches. Supported by Therapeutic Innovation Australia’s (TIA) Pipeline Accelerator scheme, the team was able to advance promising therapeutic candidates towards clinical development. Additional support from Phenomics Australia is accelerating preclinical testing and helping researchers better understand how these therapies perform in disease models.

Computing a future without malaria

Malaria still claims a life every minute. To fight back, a Perth-based research team is testing thousands of possible answers using the Setonix supercomputer. Prof Melissa Penny and the Global Disease Modelling team at The Kids Research Institute Australia and The University of Western Australia have spent over a decade developing OpenMalaria in collaboration with the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute. OpenMalaria is an individual-based model of malaria transmission and intervention dynamics used around the world.