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ARTICLE
PATHS TO COMMERCIALISATION:
Current Investment Opportunities
CSIRO is continuing its dedicated focus on improving the quality of its science
and the impact of its outputs. It is committed to seeing science pay off
for Australians and industries, and central to this is the successful
transfer of new technologies to industry.
CSIRO is actively engaging with venture capital and
private equity markets to evaluate and commercialise technologies resulting
from its leading-edge research. To provide a brief overview of current
investment opportunities from CSIRO’s technology and equity portfolio,
this column will become a regular feature in SOLVE.
Titanium metal production
- The market for titanium is dominated by aerospace applications. The projected average annual growth of the commercial airline industry through to 2023 translates to a 7.5 per cent titanium demand growth, due to the higher quantity of titanium used in newer planes.
- CSIRO’s new titanium manufacturing process, TiRO™, could significantly reduce the cost of production, which has inhibited titanium’s widespread use.
- The process offers the potential for Australia to capitalise on its extensive mineral sands resources to produce titanium.
- CSIRO is seeking industry partners and financiers to finalise development of the TiRO™ technology and to take this process to a larger scale through the construction of a pilot facility.
Microencapsulation
- The nutraceutical industry is worth close to US$100 billion, while the drug delivery market is projected to reach US$67 billion in 2006.
- CSIRO’s MicroMAX® is a suite of proprietary microencapsulation technologies that enable the selective encapsulation and controlled delivery of a range of bioactive compounds, such as oils and probiotics.
- MicroMAX® is designed to protect bioactive compounds for targeted delivery along the gastrointestinal tract.
- The technology also has application in food manufacture and protection, and as a functional ingredient to enhance properties of food.
- First generation MicroMAX® is proven in the marketplace,
with the second generation more robust and versatile.
- CSIRO is seeking commercial partnerships and venture capital to further exploit the MicroMAX® suite of microencapsulation technologies in a range of applications.
Starplus functional foods
- Consumers are becoming more health conscious, leading to greater awareness, interest and demand for value-added functional food products. Since 1998, the market for functional foodstuffs has been growing at eight to 10 per cent per annum and in 2004 was estimated at over $75 billion.
- CSIRO’s Starplus is an effective and novel means for delivering short-chain fatty acids to the colon at clinically efficacious concentrations.
- Technology can potentially be used to treat or prevent colorectal cancer, irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhoea.
- A comprehensive colorectal cancer rat study has been concluded and is under review, with the anticipation that a human bioavailability study will commence later this year.
- CSIRO is actively looking for strategic and venture partners to progress the technology through further clinical development for a variety of applications.
Avipep novel delivery
- Respected international journal Nature Biotechnology predicts that by 2008 designer antibody products will generate more than 30 per cent of all revenues in the biotechnology sector.
- Incorporated in August 2005, Avipep Pty Ltd is a biotechnology start-up company built around CSIRO’s IP and financially backed by Sciventures Investments.
- Avipep technology, founded on a CSIRO discovery, offers a new way to construct antibody-like proteins, which potentially enable selective targeting of tumours and other antigenic cells in order to deliver more therapy than traditional antibody treatments.
- Avipep anticipates fundraising from venture capital in 2007 to progress lead candidates into the clinic.
Windlab Systems
- Over the next five years, global investment in wind farms is expected to increase to at least $80 billion.
- Windlab applies world-leading technology to identify and secure high-value wind farm sites. The company then sells these sites to developers in exchange for milestone payments, consulting fees and/or equity participation in the wind farm.
- Windlab was established in 2003 with seed funding from CSIRO and technology incubator Epicorp Ltd. In 2004, additional capital was raised from InQbator and a consortium of angel investors.
- Windlab is seeking capital to fund its next growth phase into North America, South America and Asia. The company is also looking to secure additional strategic partners interested in co-developing wind farm projects in key global markets.
For further information contact:
Jan Bingley
General Manager, Commercialisation
Email: jan.bingley@csiro.au
Phone: +61 2 9490 8262
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