Exceptional Innovations and Collaborations Celebrated at the 2023 KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards
Autonomous boats, green hydrogen and a treatment for strawberry birthmarks are among the winners of the 2023 KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards announced last night at the KCA Annual Conference on the Gold Coast, Queensland Australia.
The KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards, the premier recognition of excellence in research commercialisation, showcased the exceptional achievements of nominees from across the region, with nominations covering transactions valued at over $167 million and a staggering $250 million in venture capital raised. These figures underscore the profound impact of research commercialisation in driving economic growth and societal advancement.
Dr. Tim Boyle, KCA Director and Chair of the 2023 KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “The KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards winners are exemplars of top tier work undertaken by technology transfer and research commercialisation professionals. In an ever-evolving world, research commercialisation professionals play a pivotal role in ensuring that groundbreaking discoveries are translated into tangible products and services for the benefit of society and the economy.”
The 2023 KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards winners are:
- Best Industry Collaboration (sponsored by La Trobe University)- : OCIUS Technologies – UNSW
- Best Licensing Deal (sponsored by Hall & Wilcox): Strawberry Birthmarks – Massey Ventures and AFT Pharmaceuticals
- Best Spin-out (sponsored by IP Group Australia): Hysata, University of Wollongong
- Best Knowledge Exchange Initiative (sponsored by Campus Plus) : Macquarie University – Australian Hearing Hub
- Best New Invention (sponsored by Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick): Hybrid Imaging Catheter – University of Adelaide
- Research Commercialisation Professional of the Year: Dr Alastair Hick – Monash University
The 2023 KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards highlight the profound impact of research commercialisation on society and the critical role of technology transfer and research commercialisation professionals in translating publicly funded research into real-world solutions.
2022 KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards
Aussie innovators making global impact
What do bananas, an iron-fortified dairy drink and mass production in metal 3D printing have in common?
Each has been honoured among winners of this year’s KCA Australasian Research Commercialisation Awards for their ground-breaking technology which will help many millions of people globally.
“These awards celebrate the professional activities undertaken to commercialise research that turns brilliant ideas into products and services to help humanity,” Dr Tim Boyle, KCA Director said.
“Australian and New Zealand research ranks among the best in the world, and each award showcases the absolute finest work performed by research commercialisation professionals to get this research into the hands of businesses and entrepreneurs and so they can build meaningful products that create impact for the benefit society and the economy.”
The winners (shown below) were announced at the KCA annual conference in Melbourne on 1 September 2022.
Best Industry Collaboration (sponsored by AbbVie)
Banana Biotechnology Program – QUT
QUT’s Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy’s Banana Biotechnology Program has been transforming bananas for over 25 years, delivering significant economic, social and community benefits in Australia and globally. Its multi-million-dollar Golden Banana project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is close to farmer release a pro-vitamin A fortified banana that will deliver life-saving health benefits to millions of people in Africa. Its TR4 Program has developed a genetically modified Cavendish banana resistant to the devastating TR4 disease. Likely to be available for commercial production in 2024, this promises to protect the global Cavendish industry, worth up to US$25 billion annually.
Best Licensing Deal (sponsored by AbbVie)
FERRI-PRO Sale to Nestlé Targeting Iron Deficiency – Massey Ventures
In Pakistan, where one in two children are iron deficient, global food giant Nestlé announced the launch of BUNYAD IRON+, an affordable dairy-based drink fortified with a new source of iron in 2022. The unique iron source has three times greater absorption than alternative sources. The FERRI-PRO technology, originally developed by the Riddet Institute at Massey University, was acquired by Nestlé in December 2018. The deal represents the single biggest commercial deal to emerge from the University, both in terms of commercial impact and societal benefits.
Best Spin-out (sponsored by Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick)
Additive Assurance – The quality solution bringing 3D printing to the factory floor – Monash University
Consistency and repeatability are words not often associated with 3D printing. They are, however, massive concerns for advanced manufacturers. Additive Assurance, a 2019 spin out from Monash University, enables the metal 3D printing industry to undertake mass production with the stringent consistently and reliability tolerances modern manufacturers require. The company does this without the significant downtime or low material yields synonymous with 3D printing. By enabling mass 3D printing, Additive Assurance promises to transform industries from automotive, to aerospace, and even medical devices with specialised, localised, precision production on demand.
Best Knowledge Exchange Initiative (sponsored by ACASE)
Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub – QUT
Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) hub was established in 2020 as a world-leading knowledge exchange centre. It leverages Queensland’s global strengths in advanced robotics and design-led manufacturing, bringing together leading research institutions, industry partners and technology companies in a joint mission to drive Australia’s industrial transformation. In two years, ARM Hub has: supported over 700 businesses to develop commercial solutions; reached industry across Australia and the world; and raised $40 million in additional project funds for industry. ARM Hub sits at the forefront of industrial transformation, providing industry with access to a world-leading network of R&D expertise.
Research Commercialisation Professional of the Year
Dr Erin Rayment, Executive Director, Industry Engagement, QUT
Dr Erin Rayment is an interdisciplinary biologist leading commercialisation and industry engagement at QUT. In more than a decade as a commercialisation professional, she has executed significant deals that have enabled research to create real-world impact. Two examples of these outcomes including leading a 10-year R&D partnership between USQ and John Deere that resulted in the licencing of an industry-first technology and managing a multi-million-dollar collaboration between QUT and Fresh Del Monte. This partnership promises to deliver the release of a gene edited Cavendish banana, expected to save the US$25 billion a year global export industry from the devastating TR4 disease.
Best invention (sponsored by IP Australia)
Analyte quantitation, UTS
UTS iStrip technology is an ultrasensitive quantitative lateral flow strip (LFS) sensor that uses new generation fluorescence probes to detect the presence of single molecules. The platform technology can significantly increase the sensitivity for point-of-care testing of a wide range of disease states. The unique design optically amplifies the low signal intensity, whilst maintaining low background noise. The invention opens new markets for strip sensors in the diagnosis of cancers, infections, and cardiovascular diseases, and has been licensed to a number of commercial partners for product development in specific disease categories.
Knowledge Commercialisation Australia is the peak body celebrating leading technology transfer professionals across the country.
These prestigious awards recognise individuals who are changing lives through commercialisation successes in global innovations with the potential to help millions of people and create thousands of jobs in our knowledge industries.
Thank you to the judging panel chaired by KCA Director Tim Boyle and our sponsors and partners.
Judges:
- Tim Boyle: Director Innovation & Commercialisation at ANSTO
- Mark Wickham: Principal & Patent Attorney, Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick
- Vassi Krekacs: Head of Pipeline Strategy Australia, AbbVie
- Lisa Cohen: Director, Customer Experience Group – Communication and Public Education, IP Australia
- Henry Yang: Operation Director, ACASE
- Natalie Chapman GAICD: Managing Director, gemaker
2021 KCA Awards
The KCA Awards celebrate the achievements of members, and highlight “top tier work” in Australasian tech transfer.
This year the KCA Awards have expanded to 4 categories as a response to change and growth in the profession and to be inclusive of the activities of KCA members.
We are delighted to announce the winners for the 2021 KCA Awards:
KCA Award for Best Industry Collaboration
RMIT for REMi non-invasive aged-care resident monitoring and alert system (RMIT, Sleeptite Pty Ltd, Sleepeezee Bedding Australia)
KCA Award for Best Licensing Deal
CSIRO for NextOre licencing deal (CSIRO, RFC Ambrian, NextOre, Advisian Digital)
KCA Award for Best Spin-out
UniQuest for Inflazome Ltd – A landmark deal and a new pathway to chronic inflammation relief (UniQuest)
KCA Award for Best Knowledge Exchange Initiative
La Trobe University for COVID-19 Recovery Programs for impacted small to medium enterprise (La Trobe University, Agriculture Victoria, Investible, Business Victoria, La Trobe Business School, Outcome.Life)
People’s Choice Award
RMIT for REMi non-invasive aged-care resident monitoring and alert system (RMIT, Sleeptite Pty Ltd, Sleepeezee Bedding Australia)
KCA Awards Judges
Dr Mark Wickham (Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick)
Dr Tim Boyle (ANSTO)
Natalie Chapman (gemaker)
Dr Laura Issa (Abbvie Inc.)
2020 KCA Awards
Proudly sponsored by Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick
KCA Research Commercialisation Award
CSIRO-RFC Ambrian-Chrysos Corporation Spinout Partnership (presentation by Rob Adamson)
People’s Choice Award
Curtin University (presentation by Sam Dymond)
Award for Best Research Contract/Collaboration
CSIRO (presentation by Deborah Lau)
KCA Awards Judges
Dr Timothy Boyle – Director, ANSTO
Natalie Chapman – CEO, Gemaker
Dr Peter Devine – CEO, Uniseed
Ross McFarlane – Managing Principal, Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick
Sally-Anne Williams – CEO, Cicada Innovations
2019 KCA Awards
Proudly sponsored by Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick
KCA Research Commercialisation Award
Curtin University (presentation by Rohan McDougall)
People’s Choice Award
ANSTO (presentation by Timothy Boyle)
Awards Judges
Natalie Chapman, gemaker
James Hutchinson, KiwiNet
Mark Wickham, Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick
2018 KCA Awards
Proudly Sponsored by Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick
KCA Research Commercialisation Award
University of Tasmania (presentation by Darren Cundy)
People’s Choice Award
University of Tasmania (presentation by Darren Cundy)
Awards Judges
Natalie Chapman, gemaker
Charlie Day, OISA
Ross McFarlane, Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick
Deb Verhoeven, University of Alberta
2017 KCA Awards
KCA Research Commercialisation Award
UNSW Innovation (presentation by Benjamin Matthewson)
People’s Choice Award
UNSW Innovation (presentation by Benjamin Matthewson)
Awards Judges
Duncan Mackintosh, Brandon Capital
Melissa Yiannoutsos, Powerhouse Ventures
Maxine Simmons, Cure Kids Ventures
2016 KCA Awards
Proudly sponsored by AUTM, PraxisUnico, ASTP-Proton and gemaker
Best Commercial Deal Award
UNSW Innovation (presentation by Hua Fan)
Best Industry Engagement Strategy
Curtin University (presentation by Rohan McDougall)
Best Entrepreneurial Support Initiative
UniSA Ventures (presentation by Jasmine Vreugdenburg)
Awards Judges
Erol Harvey, MiniFab
Dan Grant, La Trobe University
Anna Rooke, QUT Creative Enterprise Australia
2015 KCA Awards
Proudly sponsored by Wrays IP and gemaker
Best Creative Engagement Strategy
The University of Melbourne
Best Commercial Deal
Defence Sciences and Technology Group
People’s Choice Award
Swinburne University of Technology
Awards Judges
Topaz Conway, Accelerating Commercialisation
Chris Farquhar, Aureae Portae
Rhona Knox, Proctor & Gamble
Erol Harvey, MiniFab
Susan Oliver, Scale Investors
2014 KCA Awards
Proudly sponsored by Wrays IP and gemaker
Best Creative Engagement Strategy
UniQuest
Best Commercial Deal
Griffith Enterprise
People’s Choice Award
Swinburne University of Technology
Awards Judges
Erol Harvey, MiniFab
Debbie Bullock, Boeing Defence Australia
