Research incubators

• Key challenges for research incubators

  • Funding constraints
  • Regulatory hurdles
  • Need for specialised expertise
• Funding constraints


  • High development costs: high-tech lab equipment, consumables, team of highly skilled researchers
  • Long development timelines require consistent funding: drug development timeline can span several years from initial discovery to pre-clinical testing, clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals
  • Clinical trial expenses: large-scale testing, patient recruitment, data management, regulatory compliance (also costs!)
• Regulatory hurdles


  • Stringent standards enforced by regulatory bodies such as the FDA or TGA that ensure safety, efficacy and quality in biotech products
  • Meticulous documentation
  • Rigorous pre-clinical studies
  • Comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
  • Adhering to this level of oversight significantly impacts the development timeline and incurs additional costs
  • Risk of uncertainty and unforeseen delays
• Need for specialised expertise

  • Molecular Biologist
  • Geneticist
  • Bioinformatician (analyse huge datasets)
  • Bioethicist (complex ethical considerations around gene editing)
  • Business professional (market analysis, business development)
  • Lawyer (Intellectual Property – IP – management)
  • Startups, especially those in their early stages, may struggle to access these resources independently
• Incubator


  • A supportive environment designed to fasten the growth and development of early stage research
  • Focus on the incubation of research ideas and development of prototypes/ proof of concept
• Accelerator


  • Program that provides intense and time limited support structure to early stage start ups with the aim to get product into market quickly and generate maximal profit
  • Key difference is incubators are long-term whereas accelerators are short-term
• Incubator example


  • CUREator - Australia's first national biotech incubator
  • Established with $40M in funding from the federal government's Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and $6M from CSIRO
  • Supports and accelerates the development of Australian biomedical research and innovations
  • Provides grant funding programs targeting biomedical opportunities spanning from discovery to clinical development
  • Example: GILZRx at Monash University is developing a novel approach for the treatment of inflammatory & autoimmune diseases including lupus. 1 of 12 companies to receive part of $6M pre-clinical funding
• Accelerator example


  • MAP - Melbourne Accelerator Program
  • Launched in 2012, has supported 100+ startups, who have raised over $70 million in funding, generated over $98 million in revenue & created >1000 new jobs
  • At least one founder needs to be a student, staff or alumni of any year from the University of Melbourne
  • MAP makes considerable resources available from the University of Melbourne including mentors & networks
  • Unlike many other accelerator programs, MAP does not take any equity or ownership in your company
• Research Hub


  • Bring together researchers, scientists, academics, & often industry partners to focus on specific research themes
  • Designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge exchange, & innovation
  • Provide a shared space & resources for individuals & teams working on related research topics
  • Aim to create an environment that stimulates collaboration
• Research Hub examples


  • ARC Research Hub for Carbon Utilisation and Recycling
  • Peter MacCullum Cancer Centre
• Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre (MEC)

  • TRAM (Translating Research at Melbourne) - Research staff
  • MAP (Melbourne acceleration program) - staff, students. & alumni
  • Melbourne InnovatEd - staff, students & alumni
• TRAM


  Translating Research at Melbourne