Dollar for dollar

3 August 2016

The Australian Government has launched a new $500 million investment fund to accelerate the development and commercialisation of Australian biomedical discoveries.

The Biomedical Translation Fund (BTF) is an equity co-investment venture capital program, with $250 million from the taxpayer to be dollar-matched by private sector investment.

It delivers on a major element of the National Innovation and Science Agenda, and will be administered by a BTF Committee chaired by Peter Wills.

Board members of the newly appointed BTF Committee comprise:

Peter Wills (chair);
Jeremy Samuel;
Professor Melissa Little;
Dr Christopher Roberts;
Dr Deborah Rathjen;
Dr Leanna Read;
Fiona Pak-Poy.

Under the scheme, private life sciences fund managers can apply to establish a BTF fund, which the Government will support with between $50 million and $125 million.

Applications are now open until 14 September 2016.

More information: www.health.gov.au