CSL is continuing its Research Acceleration Initiative (RAI) with funding of up to $500,000 (AUD) over two years to research programs being led by eight top-notch scientists, globally.
The program aims to speed up discovery of innovative biotherapies through partnerships between CSL and global research organizations. CSL researches and manufactures medicines that treat serious and rare diseases as well as vaccines that protect public health. In addition to funding research, the RAI grants access to CSL's R&D experts, fostering long-term partnerships designed to advance progress toward real-world treatments and speed up the commercialization of promising discoveries.
The initiative draws from a highly competitive pool of global applicants, said Dr. Marthe D’Ombrain, CSL’s Head of Global Research Innovation.
“This latest group of RAI awardees includes new partnerships in Europe and Australia, demonstrating CSL’s commitment to collaborating with world-class researchers,” she said. Their research areas address important unmet medical needs in several of CSL’s therapeutic areas. These conditions often have limited or no existing treatment options.
The investigators and technologies selected in the most recent (2023) call for proposals include:
- Associate Professor Severine Navarro, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Australia
Associate Professor Navarro aims to develop innovative therapeutics from hookworms, which can be taken orally to help the immune system re-establish the body’s ability to recognize and ignore self-antigens. This work aims to help patients rebuild immune tolerance and reduce autoimmune disease symptoms.
- Professor Fabienne Mackay, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Australia
Professor Mackay aims to generate a novel treatment for Sjogren’s Syndrome using a B-cell targeting antibody. The approach aims to reduce excessive B-cell activation that drives the disease and improve patient outcomes.
- Dr. Yves Delneste, Institute of Health and Medical Research /INSERM (France) and Professor Patrick Blanco, University Hospital of Bordeaux / INSERM (France)
Dr. Delneste and Professor Blanco aim to develop a new therapy for thrombotic microangiopathies. Their approach intends to protect endothelial cells from destruction and tackles the inflammatory, cytotoxic and thrombotic properties of the disease.
- Professor Bernhard Nieswandt, University Hospital and Rudolf Virchow Center, University of Würzburg, Germany
Professor Nieswandt is looking into the development of novel platelet related therapeutics for the treatment of hemorrhagic and thrombo-inflammatory conditions. His research could offer new strategies for clinicians to manage bleeding associated with defective platelet function.
- Professor Ian Wicks, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) Centre for Biologic Therapies, Australia
Professor Wicks’ lab is developing a novel biologic therapeutic to target a key component of the innate immune system that underpins tissue inflammation associated with cardiovascular diseases.
- Associate Professor Christina Bursill, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Australia
Associate Professor Bursill is a vascular biologist investigating a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This collaboration has the potential to improve the lives of millions of patients worldwide.
- Professor Dale Godfrey, University of Melbourne, Australia
Professor Godfrey is working towards a combined COVID-19 and influenza vaccine. This combination could offer a more convenient and effective alternative for the management of these seasonal diseases.
Dr. D’Ombrain said the RAI program is “an important component in helping CSL and our partners develop the next generation of medicines to make a difference to the lives of patients living with unmet medical needs.”
“Importantly, we share the same passion and unwavering dedication as the researchers we partner with to serve patients, and we are looking forward to working with our eight new collaborators to accelerate and translate their discoveries,” she said.
