Phrenix researchers awarded Monash University Vice-Chancellor’s Award
Monash University researchers Professor Chris Langmead and Dr Greg Stewart have been honoured with the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research Enterprise and Commercialisation at the 2024 awards ceremony.
With the recent establishment of the Neuromedicines Discovery Centre at Monash University and with support from the Monash Innovation commercialisation team, Professor Langmead and Dr Stewart have forged a series of translational and commercial partnerships. These ventures leverage the University’s expertise in neuroscience and development of new therapeutics.
Notably, Professor Langmead and Dr Stewart have partnered with the French pharmaceutical company Servier and launched two new biotech startups through Monash University: Phrenix Therapeutics and Pacalis Therapeutics. The former was co-founded with Jess Nithianantharajah at The Florey to develop new treatments for schizophrenia and cognitive disorders.
Phrenix Therapeutics, is a Monash spinout company developing new medicines for mental health and neurological conditions—areas with significant unmet needs compared to other therapeutic fields.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research Enterprise and Commercialisation recognises research staff who have achieved, or are currently achieving, excellence in innovation and collaboration. The award celebrates successful, enduring partnerships with industry, government, and other organisations that extend beyond research or facilities funding.
“This award celebrates Monash researchers who are taking exceptional research outcomes and combining them with an enterprising mindset to help address a therapeutic crisis. The work has the potential to develop therapeutics with significant beneficial outcomes and impact,” commented Dr Alastair Hick, Chief Commercialisation Officer at Monash University.
Aoife Cullen, Head of Commercialisation Life Sciences, added “Professor Langmead and Dr Stewart have a great entrepreneurial focus, expertise in innovative research, and they are truly dedicated to translating research to novel therapies, I congratulate them on this well deserved acknowledgement.”