Australia’s national science agency CSIRO has announced the 11 project teams selected for the ninth cohort of its ON Accelerate program, highlighting its focus on drug development, healthcare delivery, and sustainability innovations.
The ON Accelerate initiative is a structured three-month program designed to support entrepreneurial researchers in translating their scientific discoveries into real-world application, the agency said in a news release.
The selected teams are drawn from a variety of institutions across the country, representing both emerging startups and academic research with commercial potential.
According to CSIRO, this year’s cohort reflects Australia’s growing capabilities in biotech and healthcare, building on the nation’s legacy of medical innovation.
Past participants in the program have launched 83 new companies and collectively secured more than $336 million in commercialisation grants.
Dr Jen Taylor, CSIRO’s Executive Director of Future Industries, said the program plays a crucial role in strengthening Australia’s innovation ecosystem.
“We’re constantly amazed by the groundbreaking solutions from the ON Accelerate teams, and this cohort is an inspiring reflection of Australia’s burgeoning strength in biotech and healthcare innovation,” Dr Taylor said.
Among the selected projects is 3DCeraFlex from James Cook University, which is developing flexible ceramic materials for use in high-temperature and energy applications.
Another, Ability Optics, a spin-out from the Australian National University, is advancing drug development through new imaging hardware for faster, more affordable microscopy.
Other teams include Elemental Therapeutics, working on restoring antibiotic effectiveness, and Epiblox from the University of South Australia, which is focused on a potential treatment for severe childhood epilepsy.
Enhanced Analgesics is targeting chronic pain relief with a non-opioid drug offering extended relief, while ProSeek Bio is developing next-generation diagnostics for ovarian cancer.
CSIRO noted that the teams were selected following a competitive application process and have already completed an intensive immersion phase.
They will now participate in a three-month program culminating in a Showcase event in Melbourne on 5 June.
Dr Taylor said the support offered through ON Accelerate is intended to help researchers overcome the challenges of commercialisation.
“We’re incredibly proud to support their journey,” she said. “This cohort is very impressive, but we know that venture pathways come with plenty of challenges. Connecting with expertise and support can be the difference in unlocking the success pathways that ensure their ideas evolve into real-world solutions, products and companies that will truly improve lives.”
According to CSIRO, the program provides participants with tailored coaching, industry mentoring, and commercialisation insights.
Graduates will emerge with a refined business model and a clearer path to market, laying the groundwork for future growth.
Venture capital interest in Australia’s early-stage biotech and healthcare sector has been rising, with Cut Through Venture reporting a 28 per cent increase in investments to $347 million in 2024.
