News

4 June 2024
Brandon Capital Announces Sixth Fund with A$270 million (US$180 million) Initial Close to Drive Life Science Innovation
MELBOURNE, Australia – 4 June 2024 – Brandon Capital, Australasia’s leading life sciences venture capital firm, today announced the launch of its sixth fund, Brandon Capital Fund VI, with an initial close at A$270 million (US$180 million). This new fund will support the growth of Australian and New Zealand life sciences startups, invest in scale-ups, […]
3 August 2023
Cicada Innovations to launch new health-focused hub in Westmead Health Precinct alongside Brandon BioCatalyst
Australia’s flagship deep tech incubator Cicada Innovations is expanding with the opening of a health-focused incubator at one of Australia’s largest health and biomedical research precincts, the Westmead Health and Innovation District, and supported by a grant from Investment NSW. The incubator will be the first health-focused incubator funded by the NSW government to support pre-revenue health-tech startups in bridging […]
24 May 2023
Nineteen groundbreaking biotech projects selected for national incubator
CUREator, Australia’s national biotech incubator, today announces its second round of funding, awarding $12 million to 19 projects targeting global health challenges   including advances in treatment for lupus, motor neurone disease, brain and ovarian cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease. CUREator is delivered through an initial $40m in funding from the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future […]
21 March 2023
Brandon BioCatalyst, in partnership with ANDHealth, selected by the Federal Government to deliver $50m BioMedTech Incubator Program
Federal investment creates a combined funding capability of $115m across programs managed by Brandon BioCatalyst & ANDHealth. Brandon BioCatalyst, in partnership with ANDHealth, has been selected by the Federal Government to deliver the $50m BioMedTech Incubator (BMTI) program. The investment, from the $20b Medical Research Future fund (MRFF), substantially increases the grant funding available through existing Brandon […]
12 October 2022
Opinion: Taking the leap: transitioning from academia to industry – by Christina Kulis
Leaving academia is rarely a simple decision, no matter what career stage you are at or where you are headed next. Change is not always easy. Researchers looking to transition into industry are often faced with some uncertainty, but also lots of opportunities. A PhD degree will set you up with perseverance and tenacity. Australia […]
28 September 2022
Brandon Capital co-Leads USD68M Series A Financing of London-Based ADC Company Pheon Therapeutics
Financing led by Brandon Capital from its newly established UK operation; Forbion and Atlas Venture co-led the round USD68M series A will enable London-based Pheon Therapeutics to advance its lead ADC compound targeting a novel cancer antigen and further develop its proprietary payload platform for development of novel ADCs Jonathan Tobin, Partner at Brandon Capital […]
20 July 2022
Australia’s first national biotech incubator announces round one funding to support life science breakthroughs
CUREator has awarded $17.4 million across 23 projects targeting global health concerns including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer Successful round one awardees will take part in the national incubator which supports and accelerates the development of Australian biotech innovations to attract investment and transform health outcomes Melbourne, 20 July 2022: Australia’s national biotech incubator, CUREator […]
28 April 2022
AIC growth private equity awards: Allegro Funds, Brandon Capital clean out
Australian Investment Council belatedly held its 2021 awards for growth private equity firms on Thursday evening in Sydney, and Allegro Funds’ team must’ve come back from the party grinning ear to ear. Chester Moynihan, Adrian Loader and Fay Bou’s firm was named the firm of the year. It also won in the mid-cap investment ($100 […]
9 March 2022
Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF) renamed Brandon BioCatalyst
The Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF), Australia and New Zealand’s largest life science investment collaboration, has been renamed Brandon BioCatalyst. “The new name better captures the intent, energy and momentum of this truly unique collaboration, which is to leverage and coordinate Australia and New Zealand’s globally competitive biomedical capabilities to catalyse the next generation of […]
27 November 2021
Healthy Outlook: Where your super is invested
A nasal spray to prevent Covid-19, a pill to put Type 2 diabetes into remission and a wireless pacemaker are among the game-changing clinical trials funded through superannuation contributions The trials are funded by Brandon Capital’s Medical Research Commercialisation Fund, a unique collaboration between Statewide Super and other major Australian superannuation funds, the Australian and […]
19 November 2021
Hard WA border a boon for life sciences sector
WA’s tough border stance might make it difficult to find employees in many industries but for the State’s burgeoning life sciences sector, it’s had the opposite effect. Several companies in that space are reporting a “brain gain” as opposed to the much-feared “brain drain”, with new and developed talent returning to Perth before or during […]
11 November 2021
Life science researchers and entrepreneurs encouraged to seek investment from new $40m Australian biotech incubator
Expressions of interest open for Australia’s first, $40m MRFF-backed national biotech incubator, CUREator Dr Simon Wilkins announced as Head of Operations of CUREator, joining from the University of Melbourne, where he was Co-founder and Director of Translating Research at Melbourne (TRAM) Australian biotech researchers and entrepreneurs are being encouraged to apply for funding from Australia’s […]
23 September 2021
Drug repurposing is no panacea in race to treat COVID-19
Drug repurposing is no quick fix for developing new treatments for disease, including COVID-19, and there are inherent dangers and pitfalls with translating drugs such as chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin and similar compounds to treat COVID-19, say a team of experts. The potential challenges and opportunities with drug repurposing are highlighted in a paper authored by […]
23 August 2021
‘New dawn’ for biotech with taxpayer-funded incubator
The pandemic is steering the venture capital lens away from shorter-term sugar hits found in the technology sector in a “new dawn” for the local life science and biotech fields, one of Australia’s pioneering investors says. Bill Ferris – who founded CPE Capital in 1970 and now chairs the Brandon Capital-managed Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MCRF) – […]
23 August 2021
Australia’s first national biotech incubator established with $40m MRFF investment
Australia’s first national biotech incubator is to be established with $40m funding from the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and will be run by the Brandon Capital-managed Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF). The Australian biotech incubator has been established to provide a critical bridge in the translation of promising research into revolutionary new […]
13 August 2021
Federal Government backs MRCF-led program to support women into top STEM leadership positions with $1m funding
The Brandon Capital managed-Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF), in partnership with WILD Program founders, receives funding to roll out the Program nationally The MRCF-led Women in Leadership Development (WILD) Program, established to increase female participation in the most senior STEM leadership positions, has received over $1 million from the Department of the Prime Minister and […]
26 May 2021
Researcher rewards needed to fuel biotech boom
The newest board member of Australia’s largest life sciences fund says the country must develop ways to entice researchers to commercialise their work if the industry is going to produce future biotech giants like CSL and Cochlear. Kylie Diwell, who has recently joined the board of the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund and works as a […]
23 May 2021
‘No amount could be enough’: Calls for Canberra to back biotech, as medtech firms await funding
One of the nation’s most experienced biotechnology investors has urged the federal government to do more to support the sector, as medical technology companies await funding to flow from a $1.5 billion scheme to boost manufacturing in Australia. The life sciences industry cheered the $1.5 billion “Modern Manufacturing Strategy” when it was outlined last October, […]
14 May 2021
Adelaide’s BioMed City is attracting strong clinical trial interest as its critical mass continues to grow
There has been a 50 per cent increase in clinical trials in Adelaide as a result of the state’s safe-haven status throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the general manager of Adelaide BioMed City says. Yvette van Eenennaam, who is also chair of the SA Genomics Centre, said the $3.8 billion precinct at the western end of […]
12 May 2021
Tax breaks tipped to trigger innovation boom
The country’s innovation giants say tax breaks for profits generated on local intellectual property will nurture high-value, local jobs and foster new companies, despite Australia still offering significantly weaker incentives than countries such as Britain and Singapore. Australia joins 24 other countries with patent box schemes, which offer lower tax rates on profits generated from […]
12 May 2021
First REDI Fellowships Awarded to Boost Medical Research Commercialisation Capabilities
MTPConnect is pleased to announce that researchers in South Australia and Queensland have been selected as the first two fellows from the REDI (Researcher Exchange and Development within Industry) Fellowship Program. The program provides financial support to Australian, international and/or multinational medical technology or pharmaceutical (MTP) companies to bring the best talent in-house for up […]
11 May 2021
‘IP Box’ regime would keep vaccines here
Australia may have been better prepared to deal with the COVID-19 crisis if the federal government implemented an “IP Box” tax incentive scheme that encouraged biotech manufacturers to base much of their operations here, a top intellectual property lawyer says. Kylie Diwell, a director of the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund and partner at Minter Ellison, […]
11 May 2021
Researchers cannot be expected to commercialise their innovations alone says leading IP lawyer and new MRCF Board member
Researchers cannot be expected to commercialise their inventions alone and their ability to access a skilled team in early-stage life science commercialisation dramatically boosts success, says one of Australia’s leading intellectual property and commercialisation lawyers, Kylie Diwell. Ms Diwell, partner at MinterEllison, has been appointed to the Board of the Brandon Capital managed Medical Research […]
28 April 2021
R&D tax credits yet to meet targets
The government’s research and development tax incentive scheme (RDTI) appears to be doing better than its predecessor, but not nearly as well as was hoped. Software companies, in particular, remain unimpressed. New Zealand Software Association president Roger Ford sees New Zealand as a country of adapters as much as innovators. “[New Zealanders are] more likely to […]
16 April 2021
NZ clinical trial boom post-Covid slowly but surely emerging
Despite slow Covid recovery globally, enquiries for future NZ trials hit 10-year high. The Covid clinical trial boom that seemed inevitable for a healthcare system virtually untouched by a global pandemic has been slow to materialise, but industry stalwarts say it’s still on the horizon. The Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry found in the […]
9 April 2021
VC Land Podcast: Shining a light on biotech with Brandon Capital
The VC Land Podcast connects you with some of the leading players in Australia’s growing venture capital (VC) market. Hosted by news media and PR veteran, CEO of Mojomedia.com.au, Justin Kelly, we chat to leading VCs on how to get started, what it takes to build a successful business, how to overcome challenges, and advice for […]
16 March 2021
Tech leaders call for national plan, software R&D and IP tax cuts
Australia has survived the COVID-19 crisis in admirable fashion, but is at risk of squandering its advantage unless more steps are taken to propel the nation’s fast-growing technology sector, according to industry leaders. The sector proved to be one of the most resilient throughout the pandemic, with venture capital funding deployed in start-ups soaring to […]
12 March 2021
ANDHealth inks deal with US health insurance giant
ANDHealth has penned a partnership with the innovation arm of the second-largest health insurer in the United States, Anthem, Inc, opening a new path for local digital start-ups to enter the market. The tie-up between Anthem Digital Incubator and ANDHealth, a non-profit digital health accelerator business, means Australian start-ups that often lack the expertise to expand […]
8 March 2021
Women in science: Tackling gender diversity in top jobs
Women are underrepresented in the top jobs of science and tech. A new programme is trying to fix that. Maria Jose Alvarez was pitching her agritech start-up to a group of investors when they cut her off with questions. Not for her, but for her male co-founder standing off to the side. “I was presenting, […]
4 March 2021
Remove red tape to speed new drugs to market, says research CEO
The chief executive of the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund says red tape impeding drug development should be removed to allow faster pathways to reimbursement and save more lives. Chris Nave, managing director of Brandon Capital, said the rapid pace of development of the COVID-19 vaccines has shown that the world can supercharge development times. Brandon manages the $700 million […]
2 March 2021
Industry-led leadership programme launched to support women into more top science and innovation roles
Brandon Capital Partners launches the WILD Programme with the Kiwi Innovation Network – 10 women on first intake A new industry-led programme, Women in Leadership Development (WILD), has been launched to increase the number of women holding top positions in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) roles in New Zealand. The first intake of 10 […]
21 December 2020
With health policy top of the political agenda, now’s the time to supercharge Australia’s biotech sector says new MRCF Board member
Erica Kneipp, Head of Health and Medical Research Strategy at ANU, who was instrumental in establishing the Federally funded Australian Medical Research Future Fund and Biomedical Translation Fund, joins MRCF Board. COVID-19 has put health policy firmly at the top of the public policy agenda alongside security and finance, providing a unique opportunity to supercharge […]
21 December 2020
Erica Kneipp tapped for $700m biotech fund
Former assistant secretary of the Department of Health Erica Kneipp has been tapped to join the board of Medical Research Commercialisation Fund as the pandemic supercharges an opportunity to boost Australia’s biotech capabilities. Ms Kneipp, head of health and medical research strategy at the Australian National University, was at the centre of the creation of the […]
25 May 2020
Nation faces ‘generational loss’ of biotechs warning
The head of Australia’s largest life science investment fund has urged the government to provide a COVID-19 support package to the $170 billion sector, including changing JobKeeper eligibility and the scrapping of controversial legislative changes to the R&D tax incentive. Dr Chris Nave – founding partner of Brandon Capital which manages the Medical Research Commercialisation […]
8 May 2020
Urgent COVID-19 response package needed to support and protect $170b life sciences sector
Potential initiatives include broadening JobKeeper eligibility, fast tracking R&D Tax Incentive payments, and diverting a proportion of MRFF funding to biotech commercialisation A COVID-19 response package to support Australia’s suffering life science sector, valued at over $170b, is urgently needed says Dr Chris Nave, CEO of Australia’s largest life science investment fund, the Medical Research […]
24 March 2020
Bill Ferris, pioneer venture capitalist, appointed Chair of the MRCF
Pioneer venture capitalist, Bill Ferris, the architect behind the Federal Government’s $500m Biomedical Translation Fund (BTF), has been appointed  Chair of the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF). Mr Ferris was former Chair of the Garvan Medical Research Institute and inaugural Chair of the Turnbull Government’s Innovation and Science Australia Board. Mr Ferris will take over […]
16 December 2019
MRCF establishes life science incubator to boost NZ startup successes
Brandon Capital, the manager of New Zealand and Australia’s largest life science investment fund, the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF), has been appointed by Callaghan Innovation as an official partner for its new Technology Incubator programme. Brandon will establish a life science incubator focused on super-charging promising New Zealand life science start-ups. The new incubators […]
21 June 2019
What Australian biotech needs to compete globally
Australia aims to be more than a destination for clinical trials, and an influx of cash is helping the country’s biotech sector fill its translational gap. But like other emerging biotech hubs, talent and a higher appetite for risk will be needed to compete on a global scale. Over the past decade, Australian biotech has […]
1 May 2019
Brandon Capital scores $210m for fifth medical research fund
Brandon Capital has closed the first tranche of funding for its new $250 million biotech fund, with the venture capital firm’s earlier funds successfully outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 for the past 10 years. The VC has raised $210 million from its existing backers including HESTA, StatewideSuper and Hostplus, as well as biotech giant CSL, but is […]
1 May 2019
Brandon Capital Partners launches new Medical Research Commercialisation Fund, seeks NZ institutional
The Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF), Australasia’s largest life sciences investment fund, today launches its fifth fund, the MRCF5. The MRCF5 has recently completed its first close, raising NZ$224 million(AU$210 million) from the MRCF’s existing investors. This brings total funds under management to more than NZ$747m (AU$700m), making fund manager, Brandon Capital Partners, Australasia’s largest […]
21 November 2018
The WILD Program launches within the Victorian STEM sector, with first intake of 20 women
The Women in Leadership Development (WILD) Program today announces its launch, with the first intake of women in the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) sector. The WILD Program helps build on the qualifications, skills and confidence of women considering senior leadership roles and company directorships, and identifies the high level of candidates ready to […]
8 October 2018
Brandon Capital, Rampersand, Artesian lead local VC gender diversity push
Aussie venture capital funds are making significant strides in boosting the diversity of their portfolios, but women still make up only a tiny percentage of the investors in the sector. A survey conducted by The Australian Financial Review of 10 of the top VC funds in the country revealed that of 448 investments made since the inception […]
1 December 2017
Brandon Capital tests reverse brain drain theory
Finally the venture capital industry has a reliable litmus test for the propensity of top talent in life sciences and medical devices looking to return home. Brandon Capital, the Melbourne-based venture capital investor with $530 million in funds under management, is in the market for two new portfolio managers. Managing director Chris Nave says Brandon […]
5 October 2017
Brandon Capital breaks even in biotech milestone
A milestone for Australia’s life sciences venture capital industry will be achieved this month when the dozen members of Brandon Capital’s investment team receive their first profit share cheque, a decade after the manager formed. A staged payment from one of Brandon’s most successful seed investments – Spinifex Pharmaceuticals, maker of a chronic pain treatment […]
16 May 2017
Mike Daniell joins board of Australasia’s largest life sciences fund
The former Fisher & Paykel boss spent his whole working career commercialising medical R&D. Former Fisher & Paykel Healthcare chief executive Mike Daniell has joined the board of Australasia’s largest life science venture capital fund. The Medical Research Commercialisation Fund was set up in late 2007 in a collaboration between major Australian superannuation funds and […]
15 December 2016
New Australian life sciences investment fund could have spin-off benefits to New Zealand
Some $A230 million has gone to Brandon Capital which manages the MRCF, a collaborative structure of over 50 organisations including six New Zealand research institutes. Australia’s largest life science venture fund, the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund, just got bigger, with the Australian government’s launch of a $A500 million Biomedical Translation Fund aimed at making the […]
13 December 2016
Brandon Capital to manage $230m for Biomedical Translation Fund
Medical venture capital fund Brandon Capital has been selected to manage the lion’s share of the government’s $500 million Biomedical Translation Fund, which is aiming to bridge the funding gap between early stage pharmaceutical and medtech startups and commercialisation. Australia has a history of being strong in research, but weak in commercialisation, and this has […]
13 December 2016
Brandon Capital to lead Biomedical Translation Fund Consortium in government initiative to make Australia a global leader in life science research commercialisation
Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF) creates fourth and largest fund as part of new initiative Venture capital firm Brandon Capital has been selected by the Australian Government to build a significant life sciences fund through the MRCF as part of the new Biomedical Translation Fund (BTF), a once-in-a-generation initiative to make Australia a global leader […]

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