UniSA’s Venture Catalyst Space startup Astroport Space Technologies, based in Texas, Austin, has secured a coveted NASA Small Business Technology Transfer contract (Program Phase 1), as well as signing a Memorandum of Understanding and Research Collaboration Agreement with University of Adelaide’s Andy Thomas Centre for Space Resources (ATCSR) to further its unique work in space technology.
Still on a high from a successful $5.6M capital raise, Carina Biotech is now working towards a pre-IND application to the US Food & Drug Administration in the first half of 2022, then later an IND application and the initiation of a Phase I/II clinical trial in patients with advanced colorectal (bowel) cancer. In addition, Singapore-based CellVec has begun manufacturing their GMP-grade lentivirus required to construct the LGR5 CAR-T cells destined for patients in the clinic next year.
In November we welcomed our first cohort of Venture Catalyst Social Enterprise startups, partly funded by the Pank Family. The three companies – Mobius Farms, All Abilities Cheer & Dance, and Growing with Gratitude – were inducted on World Social Enterprise Day and will take part in the six-month accelerator and incubation program.
During the month of October we held our two-part Student 2 Startup series, bringing eager students from the University of South Australia and other universities together with startups looking to bring new talent into their business. The SCOUT event was held on 14 October and saw nine South Australian startups pitch to their businesses to students. And on 28 October students had the opportunity to hear from Charmain Ooi, James Kim and Lindon Lark about their stories.
In October the ICC welcomed three new staff members, Vasco Bontje, Program Lead, and Samantha Dawes and Daniel Perotti in Marketing & Communications. They join existing staff, Alex Ferrabetta, Julia Collins and Director Jasmine Vreugdenburg.
We also welcome new Experts in Residence Mike Rowe and Anne Angel, who will join current expert Kirk Drage to support our startups.
