• Kira Biotech

  Led · Series A · Oct 2019

  Kira Biotech is an Australian immunology company developing novel immunomodulatory compounds focused on inducing immune tolerance. Its lead candidate, KB312, is a first-in-class, selective immune-cell depleting monoclonal antibody that targets activated immune cells to restore homeostasis. The company is progressing KB312 through preclinical development and into phase 1 human trials under a drug development team led by US-based rheumatologist and immunologist Dr Dan Baker. Kira’s research targets pathways and activated cells implicated in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and type 1 diabetes. The company also plans to explore KB312’s potential in transplant complications, including graft‑versus‑host disease and heart and kidney transplant rejection. Kira’s program is built on decades of research led by the late Professor Derek Hart and Associate Professor Georgina Clark, and the company has attracted venture capital backing to advance its lead program.

• Cardihab

  Participated · Equity · Dec 2018

  Cardihab develops smartphone apps and web portals that enable cardiologists to provide ongoing support to cardiac patients using digital tools such as weight and blood pressure diaries. The apps are designed to complement conventional rehabilitation sessions to reduce patient burden from in-person appointments and increase engagement and completion rates. The company was founded in 2016 on the back of studies by the Australian eHealth Research Centre, a partnership between CSIRO and the Queensland government. Cardihab positions itself as first in market for its clinically proven digital approach to cardiac rehab and aims to grow a large, patient-centred business. Natasha Rawlings of Uniseed, who acts as a director of Cardihab, has highlighted digital health as a growing investment space and under‑utilised in the Australian system. The company has previously raised capital, including a September 2017 round and smaller earlier contributions from Slingshot Venture Fund and cardiology groups.

• PERKii

  Participated · Equity · Nov 2018

  PERKii makes low‑calorie, non‑fermented water and juice drinks that contain 1 billion CFUs of Lactobacillus casei 431® per bottle, with each drink at 37 calories. Its ProGel® microgel encapsulation, developed from University of Queensland research, protects probiotics on shelf and through the acidic stomach environment to improve gut delivery. The PERKii range launched in mid‑2016 and is sold in over 2,000 stores across Australia and New Zealand, including Coles, Woolworths, Caltex, Zambreros and Countdown, and the company appointed Manassen Foods Australia as national distributor. The product line includes multiple natural fruit flavours and seasonal editions. PERKii plans to use recent funding to establish production in the US and pursue expansion into a combined ANZ, US and Asia market it values at US$21.8 billion. The company was initially supported by Uniseed, Brisbane Angels and UniQuest during early commercialisation. PERKii produces a low‑calorie (26 calories) water‑based beverage that delivers 1 billion live Lactobacillus casei 431 per bottle using the patented ProGel® microgel technology to protect probiotics in drinks and the acidic stomach. The ProGel® microgels were developed at the University of Queensland and are designed to improve probiotic stability and consumer health benefits. The company positions the drink to help consumers control weight, improve gut health and boost immunity. PERKii has attracted national attention and was invited to participate in Woolworths’ Wstart program; Woolworths will stock PERKii at Caltex Woolworths convenience sites nationally from April. The product is already with existing stockists and the company is focused on scaling sales and distribution. PERKii is led by CEO Randy Milne, who joined in September 2015 after ten years of beverage experience at Coca‑Cola Amatil.

No current team members are available.