RNA Pipeline Grants

RNA Pipeline Grants Recipients Announced

The successful grant recipients were announced at an event at the climate tech hub Greenhouse on Thursday 5 March, in the presence of Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong.

Event Booklet

Media Release

Platypus Bio

TRICK: Trigger RNA-Induced Cell Killing as a New Therapeutic Modality for Cancer

Funding: $1,811,633

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is an aggressive blood cancer characterised by poor prognosis, high relapse rates, and limited durable treatment options. Platypus Bio is developing TRICK (Trigger RNA-Induced Cell Killing), a first-in-class RNA therapeutic platform designed to transform how AML and other cancers are treated.
 
Unlike conventional therapies that damage both healthy and cancerous cells, TRICK functions like an internal ‘on switch’ that activates only when a cell carries specific harmful RNA mutation signals. Once triggered, TRICK selectively destroys the diseased cell while sparing healthy tissue. This mutation-guided approach offers the potential for safer, more precise treatments and the ability to prevent treatment resistance.
 
Funding from the RPG will advance TRICK from early proof-of-concept to a
manufacturable RNA lipid nanoparticle (LNP) drug candidate. The project will optimise RNA constructs and LNP formulations and validate performance in clinically relevant AML models, including patient-derived systems.
 
A key technical outcome will be a multiplexed TRICK design capable of targeting several common AML driver mutations within a single therapeutic concept, addressing disease heterogeneity and relapse. Beyond scientific validation, the project will strengthen NSW’s sovereign RNA capability by establishing early manufacturing and scale-up knowledge within the State. This will create a clear pathway to future Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) production at the NSW RNA Research and Manufacturing Facility and position NSW as a global contender in next-generation RNA medicines.
 
Together, these outcomes will support highly skilled local jobs, attract future investment, and lay the foundation for expanding TRICK into additional cancers and diseases.

Vaxosome

A GMP-ready mRNA Vaccine for Tuberculosis

Funding: $2,989,000

Tuberculosis (TB) remains the world’s leading cause of death from an infectious disease, with more than 10 million new cases and over 1.3 million deaths each year. Despite widespread use of the BCG vaccine, protection against pulmonary TB in adolescents and adults remains inadequate, underscoring the urgent need for new vaccine approaches.
 
Vaxosome is developing a novel multiplexed mRNA tuberculosis vaccine that addresses key limitations of current candidates. The vaccine uses proprietary ionisable lipid nanoparticles to deliver multiple mRNA-encoded antigens spanning both active and latent stages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. By targeting a broader antigenic space, this approach aims to generate more comprehensive and durable immune protection than single- or dual-antigen vaccines.
 
The program is supported by NSW’s rapidly expanding RNA research and
manufacturing ecosystem. Process and analytical development are being
undertaken in collaboration with the UNSW RNA Institute and Recombinant
Products Facility, with pilot-scale manufacture supported by the UTS Biologics Innovation Facility. This pathway is designed to enable efficient technology transfer into the NSW RNA Research and Manufacturing Facility for future GMP clinical-scale production.
 
Vaxosome’s platform establishes new technical and regulatory frameworks for complex, multiplexed mRNA vaccines. Beyond tuberculosis, this capability provides a foundation for rapid development of next-generation RNA vaccines targeting other globally significant infectious diseases. The project aligns with NSW’s strategic investment in RNA technologies and contributes to long-term pandemic preparedness and global health security.

About the RPG

The RNA Pipeline Grants (RPG) is a $6 million, single-round, competitive technology development and commercialisation program.

The RPG is part of the NSW Government’s RNA R&D Initiatives, administered by the Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE) within the NSW Premier's Department.

The objectives of the RPG are to:

• support a pipeline of products that could be manufactured at the NSW RNA Research and Manufacturing Facility

• progress the development and manufacture of innovative RNA therapeutics, vaccines and related technologies – including applications in health, biosecurity and agriculture – towards commercialisation in NSW

• improve commercialisation opportunities for NSW-based startups and businesses through targeted support for translation and scale up

• contribute to a globally competitive RNA ecosystem in NSW that delivers long-term economic, scientific and social benefits, including enhanced workforce capability and sovereign manufacturing capacity.

The RPG is supporting companies developing innovative RNA therapeutics, vaccines and related technologies within the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range of 3-6, helping them to advance along the TRL scale towards commercialisation and manufacturing.

The RPG is part of the broader RNA Program (RNA Ecosystem | Chief Scientist), an initiative of the NSW Government aimed at proactively fostering the growth of a state-based RNA ecosystem. This program reflects the NSW Government’s wider commitment to advancing research and development, and manufacturing in the health, medical, agricultural and biosecurity sectors.

The RPG has $6 million in funding over two years for projects ranging between $200,000 to $3 million.