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IP Group, the developer of intellectual property-based businesses, is delivering on its commitment to invest in world-leading technology from partner universities in Australia and New Zealand, announcing today its 10th investment.

The Managing Director of IP Group’s Australian operations, Michael Molinari, said the milestone highlighted the opportunities in commercialising research through its partnership with Australia’s leading Group of Eight universities and the University of Auckland.

“The pandemic has illustrated the importance of science and technology in the response to the current crisis,” Dr Molinari said. “We believe that it remains important to continue backing technologies that will create world-changing businesses that drive the industries and jobs of the future and we are pleased to announce our 10th investment in ANZ. We only invest in the best technology from our university partners globally, so to have 10 high-quality investments in our local portfolio is testament to the quality of the research conducted by our university partners.”

The new investments include CyAmast, from the lab of Vijay Sivaraman and Hassan Gharakhieli at UNSW Sydney, which is focused on cybersecurity solutions for Internet of Things (IoT) devices; and RAGE Biotech, which brings together research from Monash, UWA, Murdoch and the Baker Institute to develop novel therapies for inflammatory lung diseases such as those caused by COVID-19.

Previously, IP Group announced investments in Canopus Networks, which applies machine learning to shaping traffic flows in telecommunications networks; Kira Biotech, which is developing therapies for challenging immune system disorders; and Additive Assurance, which is providing quality assurance for 3D-printed metal parts.

“Now is the time to drive research and innovation to better our future”, Dr Molinari added. “We have some of the best universities in the world in Australia and New Zealand, and we have the opportunity to create the technologies in areas such as biotech, clean energy and cybersecurity that are going to drive productivity, competitiveness and jobs growth for the 21st century.”

Professor Margaret Gardner AC, President and Vice-Chancellor of Monash University and Interim Chair of the Group of Eight, said: “Universities are fundamental sources of innovation and ground-breaking research addressing some of the world’s most complex problems. “The partnership between IP Group and the leading research universities in Australia and New Zealand provides an important opportunity for these innovations and research findings to be developed and commercialised for real world impact.”

Professor Gardner said IP Group had invested in three Monash University projects that were addressing chronic diseases and pioneering new engineering technology, adding: “Supporting our researchers to progress their innovations to a viable, commercial product aligns with Monash’s goal to create real change in the world.”

Professor Ian Jacobs, Vice-Chancellor at UNSW, said: “Demonstrating the value of our research to society has never been more important. Our partnership with IP Group provides our researchers with access to expertise and capital to launch new companies based on their work and plays an important role in our commitment to social impact and economic prosperity globally.”

The investments are part of a commitment by IP Group to invest more than $200 million over the next decade in world-changing technologies developed by its partner universities in Australia and New Zealand.

Other investments cover a range of areas including agricultural technology, IT networking technology, healthcare, 3D printing, and electric aviation.

IP Group has signed agreements to help commercialise research with the Group of Eight universities - The University of Adelaide, Australian National University, University of Melbourne, Monash University, UNSW, University of Queensland, University of Sydney, University of Western Australia – as well as the University of Auckland.

Media inquiries: Lucy Wigney (Cannings Strategic Communications) + 61 438 960 201