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Melbourne is home to two outstanding universities, Monash University and the University of Melbourne. Together they are ranked globally among the top Universities for Life Sciences & Medicine. Joining these two powerhouses to support the collaborative joint venture BioCurate, is the Victorian State Government.
The combined research strengths of Monash University and the University of Melbourne are world class, placing them in the top 5 globally in pharmacology, metabolism, and immunology, and in the top 10 in paediatrics, neurosciences and cardiology – thereby covering some of the most debilitating, costly diseases in the modern world.
The Universities collectively invest approximately AUD1B per annum in medical research funding and in 2016 attracted nearly half of the Australian national grant funding pool. Both Universities are members of the ‘Group of Eight’, an alliance of leading Australian universities recognised for their excellence in teaching as well as research. Between them, the Universities employ approximately 4,000 FTE staff in the biomedical sciences and provide major research infrastructure, healthcare and clinical research capabilities.
As individual institutions, Monash University and the University of Melbourne have differing, yet potentially highly complementary areas of expertise required for the early drug development process. This provides a compelling opportunity for BioCurate to be the catalyst to identify and leverage this combined expertise and build a strong pipeline of new drug targets with the potential to make a significant impact both medically and commercially.
As a modern, global, research- intensive university, Monash creates positive change for present and future generations.
Monash’s purpose is to meet the challenges of the age through excellent research and education for the benefit of national and international communities. The University advances new ideas and facilitates the adoption and commercialisation of new intellectual property by collaborating with other universities, governments, industry and not-for-profit organisations.
Monash has four Australian campuses on the lands of the Kulin Nations. The University is committed to helping build a society that recognises, respects and includes Indigenous peoples, cultures and knowledge by working with and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and Indigenous peoples of other places where Monash has a campus or major presence.
Monash also have campuses in Malaysia and Indonesia (the first foreign university ever established in both countries), a major presence in Mumbai, India, and Suzhou, China, and a substantial centre in Prato, Italy. This growing global network enriches education and research, and nurtures deep, enduring relationships across the world.
Monash’s impact is fuelled by their commitment to innovation and enterprise. The University is a driving force behind the Monash Technology Precinct, home to the new Victorian Heart Hospital, Australia’s first specialist cardiac hospital, and Moderna’s first mRNA production facility in the Southern Hemisphere.
The University of Melbourne is a global leader in higher education. Across our campuses we convene brilliant minds from different disciplines and sectors to come together to address important questions and tackle grand challenges. In a disrupted world, that capacity has never been more important.
In the spirit of discovery, the University convenes experts from around the world to tackle complex problems in innovative ways with investigator-led, interdisciplinary collaboration central to our purpose as a comprehensive research organisation. The University works with industry partners and specialist research institutes to address the major challenges that exist in the world.
The University is embedded within world- leading clusters of expertise, including the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, Melbourne Innovation District through Melbourne Connect, Southbank Arts Precinct, and the heavy engineering and design precinct to be located at Fishermans Bend. The University plays a leading role within these precincts to amplify the benefits of research.
Victoria is one of the world’s leading health technology hubs, including the medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry segments, which is supported by its globally- recognised medical research institutes, teaching hospitals and universities.
Victoria is a key generator of new ideas contributing to drug discovery and development, and to the global pipeline of new drugs. Built on world- class research, a vibrant commercial biotech sector, key R&D infrastructure and manufacturing expertise, Victoria is currently home to 82 ASX-listed health technology companies, with a combined market capitalisation of over $170 billion. More than 22 pharmaceutical manufacturers are located here and a growing range of specialised service providers are working to produce a variety of products for international markets using advanced manufacturing technologies. In 2022, Victoria’s pharmaceutical products exports accounted for more than $2 billion, making it one of Victoria’s highest-value manufactured export product.
This pre-eminent position has been made possible by the consistent and long-term support of the Victorian Government for the sector, providing significant funding for capabilities and supporting infrastructure.