Updated 25 August 2026
Therapeutic Innovation Australia (TIA) is pleased to congratulate several outstanding Australian research teams on their successful MRFF 2024 National Critical Research Infrastructure (NCRI) grant applications. TIA, enabled by the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), is proud to support these initiatives, helping to bridge the gap between research discoveries and clinical translation.
Enhancing Drug Discovery Platforms
Led by Professor Guillaume Lessene at the National Drug Discovery Centre, based at WEHI, the team will advance their high-throughput and virtual screening project, connecting Australian researchers with national drug discovery infrastructure. TIA will contribute strategic guidance, network facilitation, and access to translational facilities, supporting the development of new medicines and Australia’s national drug development capability.
Accelerating Vaccine Innovation
Congratulations to the Queensland Emory Vaccine Centre (QEVC), led by Professor Daniel Watterson at the University of Queensland. With TIA’s support through BASE mRNA Facility and National Biologics Facility, QEVC will accelerate the development of high-quality vaccine candidates, enhancing Australia’s pandemic preparedness and fostering collaboration across research institutions.
Advancing RNA Therapeutics
The ROBUST program at the University of Western Australia, led by Professor Archa Fox, will now further optimise RNA therapeutics. TIA’s investment in the RNA Innovation Foundry and access to our Pipeline Accelerator Voucher Scheme will support the program’s work on RNA stability and alternative RNA formats, including circular RNA. This project strengthens Australia’s position as a global leader in RNA-based therapies.
Building an Antisense Therapeutics Pipeline
Led by Dr May Aung-Htut, Murdoch University’s Personalised Medicine Centre and their partners will accelerate the development of antisense therapeutics. Supported by three NCRIS-enabled national provider of research infrastructure; TIA, Bioplatforms Australia, and Phenomics Australia, the project will continue to leverage world-class infrastructure to treat rare genetic diseases via repairing faulty RNA using cutting edge therapies.
Advancing Immunotherapy Manufacturing
The IMPACT (Immunocellular Manufacturing Platform for Advanced Cell Therapies) initiative, led by Associate Professor Fernando Guimarães, will strengthen Australia’s capacity to translate immunotherapies into clinical-stage applications. Building on prior TIA support through the Pipeline Accelerator Voucher Scheme and collaboration with the National Biologics Facility and the BASE mRNA Facility, IMPACT addresses a critical gap in the translational pipeline. By integrating biomanufacturing, preclinical validation, and regulatory expertise, IMPACT has the potential to become a national hub for translating immunotherapies into first-in-human clinical trials.
These successes highlight the strength of Australia’s translational research ecosystem and TIA’s role in enabling high-impact medical discoveries. By providing access to infrastructure, expertise, and support, TIA continues to empower researchers to advance human health and deliver innovative solutions to critical medical challenges.