Seven Australian BioMedTech companies have been awarded a combined $15.7 million through the CUREator+ Dementia and Cognitive Decline BioMedTech Incubator, a program designed to accelerate the development of innovations aimed at reducing the global impact of dementia.
The initiative, backed by the Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care and the Medical Research Future Fund, provides non-dilutive funding as well as hands-on commercialisation support. Projects were selected not only for their scientific and commercial potential but also with input from people with lived experience of dementia, via Dementia Australia’s Community Steering Committee.
Professor Tanya Buchanan, CEO of Dementia Australia, welcomed the announcement. “It is both essential and encouraging to see the voices of people with living experience of dementia being heard as we shape the future of dementia prevention, treatment and care. The quality of the recipients reflect an exciting step forward to reduce the impact of dementia for all Australians,” she said.
Among the recipients:
- RedenLab will receive $2.5 million to develop speech and language analysis tools for earlier detection and monitoring of cognitive decline;
- Perx Health secures $1.3 million to pilot a tailored digital app to support people living with dementia and their carers;
- Sydney Neuroimaging Analysis Centre (SNAC) is awarded $2.4 million to advance its MRI analysis technology for neurological disease monitoring;
- Synaptra Bio receives $2.3 million to progress an AI-assisted drug discovery program targeting tau-related brain cell damage;
- Denteric will use $2.5 million to run a clinical trial for its vaccine candidate GPV381, which aims to block gum infection-related drivers of Alzheimer’s disease;
- Ceretas is granted $2.4 million to refine its personalised therapeutic ultrasound device for restoring brain connectivity; and,
- Skin2Neuron secures $2.4 million to develop its cell therapy designed to reverse Alzheimer’s disease by restoring lost neurons and synapses.
Bronwyn Le Grice, Managing Director of ANDHealth, said the projects highlight Australia’s role at the cutting edge of dementia innovation. “By 2030, over 550,000 Australians will be living with dementia. These companies are at the forefront of Australian innovation, developing therapeutics, medical devices and digital solutions that have the potential to profoundly improve lives,” she said.
Dr Chris Nave, Managing Director of Brandon BioCatalyst, which manages CUREator+, said the investment was a clear signal of national intent. “The funding provided by the MRFF is a strategic investment in Australia’s biomedical innovation ecosystem and a clear signal of our national leadership in tackling dementia,” he said.
CUREator+ funding is delivered in tranches, with opportunities for top-up rounds to support teams that demonstrate progress. Beyond capital, companies also gain access to coaching and international networks, helping accelerate translation from laboratory breakthroughs to real-world therapies.