X-RATE: A Novel Radiation Detector Platform To Realize New Opportunities In Radiotherapy At The Australian Synchrotron
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$347,541.00
Summary
Microbeam Radiation Therapy (MRT) is an emerging X-ray radiosurgery modality that offers new hope for the treatment of brain cancer and other human brain diseases. A tissue equivalent radiation dosimetry system is essential for upcoming MRT human trials to precisely verify treatment plans. We are recognized world leaders in real-time silicon detector instrumentation for radiation dosimetry. We plan to develop and demonstrate X-RATE, the X-ray Real-time Active Tissue Equivalent dosimeter.
X-Tream: A Realtime X-ray Treatment Monitoring And Dosimetry System For Submillimetric Radiosurgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,544.00
Summary
We plan to develop a commercial prototype of a new clinical product called X-Tream, together with pre-clinical experimental and Monte Carlo data to demonstrate its performance in one potential clinical application involving an exciting and rapidly developing radiosurgery technique known as microbeam radiation therapy. We intend to show that the X-Tream system has the demonstrated ability to provide essential measurements with the necessary accuracy to allow for future clinical trials.
Breathe Well: Improving Cancer Imaging And Targeted Radiotherapy Using Audiovisual Biofeedback
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$606,847.00
Summary
Irregular breathing causes anatomical errors in medical images and consequently cancer targeting accuracy, resulting in poorer clinical outcomes and increased health care costs. We have developed and patented the Breathe Well Audio Visual (AV) biofeedback device, to improve breathing regularity. Our goal is to gather critical scientific information and reach commercial proof-of-concept objectives that will allow us to attract investment to establish a viable medical device enterprise.
BrachyVision: A Novel Multipurpose Probe For In-body Radiation Imaging And Dosimetry.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$532,627.00
Summary
BrachyVision is an in-body imaging and dosimetry system to assist physicians in providing efficient and optimized permanent seed implant brachytherapy cancer treatment. The system allows intra-operative preplanning, image guided treatment, post implant verification and direct rectal dosimetry. It represents a major advance in clinical technology that can improve quality of life of prostate cancer patients and, through reduced post treatment complications, lead to significant health cost savings.
We will create a new class of cancer radiotherapy system that solves the complex problem of how to target a tumour with precision and accuracy even as the patient’s anatomy changes during treatment. Our Nano-X system is built with real-time imaging guidance and treatment adaptation at the heart of the design process; and complex processing tasks have been moved from hardware to software, enabling radical changes to machine design. Together these innovations will ensure better treatment outcomes.
Preclinical Development Of A Therapeutic Anticancer Antibody To C-Met
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$435,530.00
Summary
Many common cancers cannot be effectively treated. A range of these cancers (e.g. gastric and lung cancer) display the molecule c-Met on their cell surface. c-Met promotes tumour growth; therefore, blocking c-Met is a promising strategy for treating these cancers. However, no antibodies or drugs that target c-Met have been licensed. The therapeutics that are being developed to target c-Met all have considerable limitations. Thus, there is an opportunity to develop a 'best-in-class' therapeutic.
Stability Engineering Of Human Antibody Therapeutics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,104.00
Summary
Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies are among the fastest growing class of drugs with more than $30 billion sales in 2011. Unfortunately, antibodies often display limited stability and a tendency to aggregate. This greatly hinders their development and results in high failure rates of otherwise promising candidates. We have recently identified mutations that render human antibodies resistant to aggregation. Here we apply this technology to a monoclonal antibody candidate developed by a leading pha ....Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies are among the fastest growing class of drugs with more than $30 billion sales in 2011. Unfortunately, antibodies often display limited stability and a tendency to aggregate. This greatly hinders their development and results in high failure rates of otherwise promising candidates. We have recently identified mutations that render human antibodies resistant to aggregation. Here we apply this technology to a monoclonal antibody candidate developed by a leading pharmaceutical company.Read moreRead less
This project aims to develop a treatment for hearing loss (none exist) that can be progressed to a clinical trial for patients with significant hearing impairment. The treatment involves the use of drug delivery particles that we have shown to be effective in preventing the loss of sensory auditory cells in deafness. The project will further develop and validate this technology in deafness models so that it can be applied to human patients in a first in human trial.
Anticalins: Inhalable Biologicals For Severe Asthma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$577,933.00
Summary
This grant aims to develop a new class of medicines called 'anticalins'. Anticalins behave like a successful class of medicines called monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). MAbs are too fragile and large to be inhaled to treat lung disease but anticalins are small and robust. We will be developing an anticalin (PRS-060) which blocks damaging immune reactions in severe asthma. By inhaling PRS-060 we hope to make a new and clinically useful medicine for a common form of poorly-controlled severe asthma.
Sortase Peptide Technology: Enzymatic Site-specific Bioconjugation To Improve Antibody Drug Conjugate Production And Performance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$402,046.00
Summary
Cancer is characterised by uncontrolled cell growth, leading to invasion and destruction of adjacent tissues. It is a major cause of death in Australia. Targeted drug delivery is an attractive therapeutic strategy that has the potential to lower systemic drug concentrations and reduce side effects. We are developing more efficient cancer drugs.