A number of emerging and already established biotechnology companies have been recognised in the 2016 Science Meets Business list of Australia's 25 most innovative R&D spin-off companies.
The list wasproduced by Refraction Media in collaboration with the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Association.
Companies to make the list include Acrux, Spinifex, which was acquired by Novartis last year, Fibrotech, Admedus, EnGeneIC, ResMed, BioDiem, Vaxxas, Pharmaxis, Opthea, Benitec BioPharma, Cochlear, Orthocell, CSL, EvoGenix, and Phylogica.
The full list can be viewed here.
The research compiled by Refraction Media was judged by a panel comprised of: Dr Peter Riddles, biotechnology expert and director on many start-up enterprises; Dr Anna Lavelle, CEO and Executive Director of AusBiotech; and, Dr Tony Peacock, Chief Executive of the CRC Association.
The panel considered the following criteria: total market value; annual turnover; patents awarded and cited; funding and investment; growth year-on-year; social value; and, overseas expansion and major partnerships.
Emerging Australian emerging biopharmaceutical company EnGeneIC, founded and led by two Australian scientists, Drs Himanshu Brahmbhatt and Jennifer MacDiarmid, is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing its proprietary EDV nanocell platform for the targeted delivery of cancer therapeutics.
The platform is a powerful nanoparticle drug, siRNA or miRNA delivery system, designed to directly target and effectively kill tumour cells with minimal toxicity, while at the same time stimulate the immune system's natural anti-tumour response.
Developed entirely in-house, the company holds more than 260 patents worldwide to support the technology and does not rely on the licensing of any technology from a third party.
According to Dr MacDiarmid, "We are honored to receive recognition as one of the top 25 Australian companies that have successfully moved their R&D beyond the lab, as well as to have our EDV nanocells identified as a technology with the potential to change the overall treatment of cancer. This award is especially motivating as EnGeneIC seeks exciting business and financial opportunities to support the Company's rapidly advancing clinical programs."