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Monash University Commercialisation and Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (MNHS) Business Development teams have established a hybrid equity/licensing deal with its protein engineering spin-out Orio Therapeutics to spearhead the development of new drug delivery technology that could transform the field of regenerative medicine.
The new technology, developed by Orio Therapeutics co-founders Dr Ziad Julier and Associate Professor and EMBL Australia Group Leader Mikaël Martino, both from the MNHS faculty’s Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI) at Monash University, modifies therapeutic proteins to improve delivery through controlled, slow release and consistent dosing that stays at the injection site, enabling better therapeutic effects at lower doses.
Most protein-based therapeutics in regenerative medicine have limited success due to sub-optimal delivery systems which can require large doses of therapeutic protein that quickly diffuse away from the injection site. This can require frequent, high dosing with consequent negative side effects and high costs. By maintaining precise control of delivery, the technology ensures that the therapeutic stays at the site of injection, where local action is crucial for tissue regeneration and repair.
The new technology has the potential to transform the field of regenerative medicine and revolutionise the approach to tissue regeneration and repair, while addressing unmet medical needs and improving patient outcomes. The technology is also adaptable enough to improve almost any protein therapeutic that can benefit from local delivery. As a first product candidate, Orio Therapeutics is focused on developing a cardioprotective drug for patient care following a heart attack.
Dr Julier and Associate Professor Martino will lead the commercialisation process through Orio Therapeutics to facilitate engagement with a range of potential investors and industry partners internationally. In this case, Orio Therapeutics has selected Swiss incubator The Ark and established one of its offices at the BioArk technology site in Switzerland to support commercialisation.
Dr Kathy Nielsen, Senior Director, Monash Innovation explained how Monash supported the journey to finding a business model that supports university, inventors and co-founders.
“The team has been collaborating closely with the researchers from the very inception of this innovation, starting with the initial invention disclosures, securing patent filings and actively exploring partnerships with industry leaders and potential investors. Our role strikes a balance between protecting interests and fostering innovation, ensuring the right investment and collaborators align seamlessly to propel pioneering ideas to fruition.”
Co-founder Dr. Ziad Julier expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, “This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to bring our groundbreaking drug delivery technology to the forefront of regenerative medicine. With Monash’s support, we aim to revolutionise patient care and drive advancements in the field.”
To progress its development, Orio Therapeutics is now seeking seed capital to expand the team and undertake pre-clinical studies. To learn more visit their website Orio Therapeutics.
About Monash Innovation
Monash Innovation drives commercialisation across the University, transforming bold ideas into impactful solutions that make the world a better place. Over the past five years, the Commercialisation team has seamlessly guided the innovation journey of Monash’s research, processing 561 invention disclosures, activating 213 patent families, completing 165 licence deals, and spinning out 26 new ventures based on Monash IP. Noteworthy spinouts, such as Jupiter Ionics, Amaero International, Additive Assurance, Electralith, RAGE Biotech, Inosi and Aravax – have emerged where Monash holds equity and has invested directly to fund growth.
For more information, visit our website.
About The Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute
The Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute is one of the largest regenerative medicine and stem cell research organisations in the world and Australia’s only research institute specialising in regeneration and stem cells. Located on the Clayton campus of Monash University, researchers at ARMI focus on understanding the basic mechanisms of the regenerative process, aiming to eventually enable doctors to prevent, halt and reverse damage to vital organs due to disease, injury or genetic conditions.
For more information visit: armi.org.au
About Monash Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Monash University is Australia’s largest university with more than 80,000 students. In the 60 years since its foundation, it has developed a reputation for world-leading high-impact research, quality teaching, and inspiring innovation.
With four campuses in Australia and a presence in Malaysia, China, India, Indonesia and Italy, it is one of the most internationalised Australian universities.
As a leading international medical research university with the largest medical faculty in Australia and integration with leading Australian teaching hospitals, we consistently rank in the top 50 universities worldwide for clinical, pre-clinical and health sciences.
For more information visit: monash.edu/medicine
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Last updated: Oct 2023
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