National incubator for vaccine and infectious diseases innovation opens for ‘Expression of Interest’ Applications
Biointelect Venturer, a national incubator focused on advancing local scientific innovation for the prevention of infectious diseases, officially opens today to applications from local scientific innovators and researchers.
This new incubator, established through funding of $32.9 million from the Australian Government under the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) 2024 BioMedTech Incubator Grant Opportunity, will give promising Australian scientific innovators working in vaccines, immunotherapies and related technologies, the ability to advance their early-stage breakthroughs to commercial and investment readiness.
Successful innovators could receive up to AUD $5 million in non-dilutive funding, together with strategic guidance, networks, and resources to support the commercialisation of their innovation. Expressions of interest close Friday 19th December, 11.59pm (AEDT) with the first intake commencing work in early Q3 2026.
“Australia’s vaccine research ecosystem just got its shot in the arm — literally,” states Emeritus Professor Paul Young, School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences (SCMB), University of Queensland and co-founder of molecular clamp vaccine technology recently licensed by Sanofi in a ground-breaking agreement.
“Funding for Australia’s new incubator for vaccine development, signals real confidence in Australia’s ability to lead the next generation of vaccine innovation. We’ve long had the science and the talent — now we are finally seeing the investment to match,” he adds.
While Australia produces world-class science, too often it fails to translate into a commercial outcome, as traditional grants rarely support early to mid-stage product development. Known as the ‘valley of death’ – this leaves innovators unable to attract follow-on funding and investment.
“Biointelect Venturer aims to boost the current trajectory,” states Leah Goodman, Chief Executive Officer of Biointelect. “By providing the right funding, mentorship, and strategic frameworks, it will work hard to guide innovators to bridge the translation gap and bring new health technologies to life for the prevention of infectious diseases.”
“The focus will be on innovations with the highest unmet clinical need, clear global health and regional security benefit and strong potential for commercialisation,” she adds.
The Biointelect Venturer incubator will provide comprehensive tailored support to three cohorts of innovators, over the next four years. This will involve:
- Funding – catalytic non-dilutive funding to support activities to progress promising science toward investment readiness.
- Expert guidance and training – building development and commercialisation capabilities
- National and international networks – connections across industry, academia, government, service providers and investors to drive collaboration and co-development.
- Market orientation – ensuring that innovations are viable, scalable, and aligned with both commercial opportunity and public health need.
“Our ambition for this incubator to be a game changer and firmly place Australian vaccine and infectious disease innovation on the global stage,” states Jenny Herz, Co-Founder and Director of Biointelect. “Ultimately, our aspiration is for Biointelect Venturer to become a world leading catalyst for transformative local innovation and impact, with our vision to build a sustainable and diversified funding model that goes beyond federal grants.”
“It’s a pivotal moment for Australian vaccine research – the kind that turns potential into real global impact. This investment ensures our best minds can translate world-class science into life-saving outcomes. It’s exciting and significant for Australia,” concludes Professor Paul Young.
Expressions of interest to the Biointelect Venturer open Monday 17th November 9.00am (AEDT), and close Friday 19th December 11.59pm (AEDT). Applications can be made through venturer@grantplatform.com.
For further information please contact Anne-Marie Sparrow at Cube on 0417 421 560 or Jenny Herz, Biointelect Venturer on 0415 275 893.
More About Biointelect
Biointelect is a globally recognised Australian company offering a unique blend of full-service Contract Research Organisation (CRO), regulatory and commercialisation capabilities including both technical and strategic guidance. The organisation’s deep expertise in medicines and vaccines commercialisation – from preclinical to market implementation and policy – underpins the Biointelect Venturer incubator.
Leah Goodman – Biointelect CEO
Jennifer Herz – Biointelect Co-Founder and Director
More about Biointelect Venturer
The Biointelect Venturer incubator will identify technologies for the prevention of infectious diseases with a clear commercialisation pathway and meaningful societal benefit. Selection decisions will be based on the project’s impact on the infectious disease landscape and its clear pathway to commercialisation. Benefits of joining the incubator can be viewed here biointelect.com/biointelect-venturer.
