Phrenix

BUILDING A PIPELINE OF HIGHLY TARGETED THERAPEUTICS FOR COGNITIVE, PSYCHIATRIC, AND NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS

Phrenix Therapeutics is the first spin out from Monash University’s Neuromedicines Discovery Centre (NDC), in partnership with The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.

By combining state-of-the-art drug discovery technologies and clinicallyrelevant neurobehavioral testing, Phrenix is drawing on the research expertise of its co-founders to build a pipeline of highly targeted therapeutics for cognitive, psychiatric, and neurological disorders, led by a flagship program for schizophrenia.

In December 2024, Phrenix closed a significant seed funding round backed by leading venture capital firms Curie.Bio and Brandon Capital, bringing it closer to its goal of addressing the needs of millions of people worldwide living with complex psychiatric and neurological conditions.

Phrenix Therapeutics was supported by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) CUREator scheme as an early-stage biomedical innovation with long-term potential in 2022, and has also been a recipient of funding from Therapeutic Innovation Australia, which is supported by the Australian Government through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) program, with Monash support via Monash Research Impact Fund (MRIF), and also initial investment and follow on rounds by Monash Investment Holdings (MIH).

"The foundational research and early successes of Phrenix Therapeutics were due to a meeting of minds and mission between the three co-founders, supported by Monash University and The Florey. Access to investment brings scale, acceleration, and deep expertise from our partners at Curie.Bio and Brandon Capital. It gives Phrenix the best possible chance to progress our programs into the clinic and make a real difference to the lives of individuals, families and communities.” — Professor Chris Langmead.

Website: www.phrenixtx.com