Posted: 25 September 2025
The Brandon Capital managed Cureator, in partnership with ANDHealth and Dementia Australia, confirmed the allocation of $15,765,871 to seven companies developing medical technologies for dementia and cognitive decline. The initiative was supported by the Federal Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care and the Medical Research Future Fund. The seven companies who received funding are Redenlab, Perx Health, Sydney Neuro-imaging Analysis Centre, Synaptra Bio, Denteric, Ceretas and Skin2Neuron.
Dr Chris Nave, Managing Director of Brandon Biocatalyst, described the announcement as pivotal. “This funding is a strategic investment in Australia’s biomedical innovation ecosystem and a clear signal of our national leadership in tackling dementia,” he said. “The companies selected combine world-class science with commercial potential, positioning Australia to deliver global solutions to one of the most urgent health challenges of our time.”
Awardees were chosen through Cureator’s investment review committee, assisted by Dementia Australia’s community steering committee. Redenlab received $2.5 million to improve early detection of cognitive decline through analysis of language, speech, and emotion. Perx Health was awarded $1.3 million for a digital care management program, including a 12-month pilot of dementia support software for patients and carers.
Sydney Neuro-imaging Analysis Centre secured $2.4 million to validate brain MRI tools for monitoring Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions. Synaptra Bio gained $2.3 million for an artificial intelligence assisted drug discovery platform, with the funding to support pre-clinical development and progress towards a clinical trial of an oral Alzheimer’s drug. Melbourne-based Denteric obtained $2.5 million for a trial of its vaccine candidate GPV381, addressing Porphyromonas gingivalis infection in Alzheimer’s disease patients.
Ceretas was allocated $2.4 million to develop personalised ultrasound therapies aimed at restoring brain circuit function, while Skin2Neuron received $2.4 million to advance its cell therapy designed to regenerate neurons and synapses. The funding will also support the development of a synaptic positron emission tomography biomarker to accelerate trial completion and establish proof of mechanism.
Bronwyn Le Grice, Managing Director of AND Health, highlighted the broader impact. “By 2030 more than 550,000 Australians will be living with dementia,” she said. “These companies are at the forefront of Australian innovation, developing therapeutics, medical devices and digital and connected health solutions, which have the potential to profoundly improve the lives of people living with dementia and cognitive decline.”
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