Polycystic kidney disease is a common inherited condition that can lead to kidney failure, requiring dialysis or transplantation, with limited treatment options available.
Researchers at Monash University identified a key cell signalling pathway driving cyst growth, forming the foundation for xCystence Bio, a biotech spin-out developing new therapies to slow or halt disease progression.
NCRIS-enabled infrastructure played a critical role in translating this discovery. Through Therapeutic Innovation Australia’s (TIA) Pipeline Accelerator voucher scheme, the team accessed the Australian Translational Medicinal Chemistry Facility and the Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation to advance therapeutic candidates through efficacy and drug interaction studies.
Additional support from Phenomics Australia’s Genome Modification Platform is enabling rapid in vivo screening using CRISPR-engineered models, accelerating preclinical development.
This coordinated national approach has supported the progression from early research to a commercial venture, with xCystence Bio securing investment from Monash Ventures, Breakthrough Victoria, Uniseed and BioCurate, alongside more than $2.7 million in MRFF and NHMRC funding.
The project demonstrates how NCRIS-supported infrastructure reduces barriers to translation, supports industry formation, and advances new treatments for chronic disease.
