CureCell aims to accelerate the development of cell-based therapies to treat cancer and autoimmune disease
Cures for cancer and autoimmune diseases are within reach, and cell-based therapies are leading the race
About us
CureCell aims to accelerate the development of cell-based therapies to treat cancer and autoimmune disease by investing in outstanding young scientists in this field.
Australia needs to attract and retain highly skilled and dedicated scientists in this field to move faster towards breakthroughs.
CureCell believes that investing in and nurturing young researchers now will have the most impact.
In 2023, our Adelaide-based team entered into a partnership with the AusHealth Hospital Research Fund, a charity that resources brilliant minds with more than $3 million a year.
Together, we are able to not only support researchers but properly assist in translating their findings to bring about real-world clinical and commercial outcomes.
Our history
CureCell has its beginnings in the successful Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Cell Therapy Manufacturing Ltd (CTM@CRC Ltd).
CTM@CRC was set up in 2013 to facilitate the cost-effective manufacture and rapid translation of cell therapies into clinical practice. The CRC aimed to provide new treatments and develop materials-based manufacturing technologies for the treatment of a number of medical conditions.
CTM@CRC brought together the spectrum of skills and facilities required to turn a promising cell into a viable cell therapy. The CRC’s national and international partners included research providers, manufacturers, hospitals and charities.
Over its six years, CTM@CRC spun out two commercial companies – Carina Biotech and TekCyte.
Carina Biotech is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company producing CAR-T cell therapies for solid cancers.
TekCyte is an innovator in the development and manufacture of advanced coatings for medical devices and biomedical applications.
When it came to wind up the CTM@CRC its Chair, Dr Leanna Read, wanted to do something more with the entity that had been so far so successful – and CureCell was born.
In 2023, CureCell partnered with the AusHealth Hospital Research Fund – a charity that invests more than $3 million a year in Australian medical research.
Board of directors & staff
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors are experts in cell therapy manufacturing, biotechnology innovation, science commercialisation, intellectual property, fundraising, philanthropy, data science and governance.
Dr Deborah Cole - Chair
Professor Andrew Zannettino - Director
Greg Johansen – Director
Prof Guy Ludbrook - Director
Dr Stephen Livesey - Director
Dr Justin Coombs – Director
Susannah Hayden – Director
Our staff
Greg Johansen – Chief Executive Officer
Charmaine Almeida – Secretary