The National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation (NFMRI) announced its new 2022 grant recipients today. Successful researchers from across the country received funding to support the advancement of their innovations ranging from diagnostics, to vaccines and gene therapy – across a number of diseases or conditions affecting the health of humans.
· NFMRI announces the third recipient of the Dr John Raftos AM Award for Advancing Innovation: Prof Nicholas Opie
· NFMRI announces $608,000 for new grants commencing in 2022
· New and ongoing research support for 2022 is over $1.1 million.
New projects being supported in 2022 include:
· Prof Nicholas Opie, The University of Melbourne, $50,000
The 2022 Dr John Raftos AM Award for Advancing Innovation
· A/Prof Vivien Chen, ANZAC Research Institute Cancer research, $193,000 *
Novel biomarker to predict thrombotic risk in myeloproliferative neoplasms
· Prof Merlin Thomas, Monash University, Coronavirus research $175,000
Development of an inhaled RNA therapy for the prevention and treatment of coronavirus infections
· Prof Jake Shortt, Monash University, Cancer research, $190,000
Dual-targeted inhibitors of BET bromodomains and PI3-kinase for cancer therapy
*Grant funded via NFMRI & Equity Trustees partnership – funders include The NSW Community Foundation, the Vernon Sinclair Fund and the NSW Community Foundation – Nicholas & Phyllis Pinter Trust.
NFMRI CEO, Dr Noel Chambers, noted that the Foundation was excited to be able to provide over $1.1 million in existing and new funding to advance some of Australia’s most promising innovations.
Prof Nicholas Opie is the recipient of NFMRI’s 2022 Dr John Raftos AM Award for Advancing Innovation. The Board of NFMRI awarded the medal to Prof Opie following his outstanding contribution to biomedical innovation advancement with the StentrodeTM developments.
“The grant from the NFMRI helped us at a critical time in the development of the StentrodeTM and led to an increased understanding about the way BCIs can assist patients regain functional independence in their lives. We have a brilliant team of researchers and clinicians working with us to develop this technology which will truly help people with neurological disease. I am honored to receive the Dr John Raftos AM Award for Advancing Innovation on behalf of Synchron” Prof Opie said.
Dr Chambers thanked NFMRI’s funding partners, including The Mason Foundation, The NSW Community Foundation, The Vernon Sinclair Fund, and The NSW Community Foundation – Nicholas and Phyllis Pinter Trust (all managed by Equity Trustees), State Trustees Australia Foundation as well as the Cure4 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Dr Chambers emphasised that “support from our partners enables us to scale our ability to advance research and innovations towards potential future treatments and options for those in need that would otherwise be left unfunded. Our recent Strategy Impact Report outlined a success rate of 62% for NFMRI-funded projects securing next-step partners, leveraging a total of over $45m in external support.”
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About NFMRI
Founded in 1977, NFMRI’s primary objective is to support innovative areas of research to help benefit mankind through the prevention or eradication of diseases. By focusing on advancing innovations and enabling collaborations, the Foundation aims to address the critical gaps that prevent industry uptake to bring diagnostics, devices, vaccines, tools and medicines into the hands of those in need in the community. The Foundation seeks to partner with researchers and donors to identify, evaluate and support innovative quality research projects with identified impact objectives. NFMRI’s culture is one where we look to make a social investment in medical research. By partnering with funders and researchers to provide support and knowledge, we aim to maximise the social returns from our grants.
About NFMRI Partnerships
Founded in 1977 and with DGR1/TCC status, NFMRI has established a partnering program assisting other funders of medical research to achieve better outcomes. NFMRI partners with other funders, applying its strategy, systems, networks and expertise to achieve common goals. With our specific expertise, capability and capacity, we are able to partner with other like-minded funders to support medical research that leads to the advancement and translation of discoveries and innovations. Contact us to learn more about how we can work together.
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