We are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Dr. Greg Stewart, MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship alumnus, as he takes a bold step in revolutionising mental health treatments. As Chief Scientific Officer of Phrenix Therapeutics, Greg and his team have successfully secured major seed investment from leading biotech venture capital firms Curie.Bio (US) and Brandon Capital (Australia), positioning Phrenix at the forefront of next-generation therapeutics for psychiatric and neurological disorders.
Founded in 2022, Phrenix Therapeutics is the first spinout from Monash University’s Neuromedicines Discovery Centre (NDC), in collaboration with The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. With a dedicated focus on addressing psychosis and cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia, the company is pioneering new treatments that integrate cutting-edge drug discovery technologies with clinically relevant neurobehavioural testing.
Dr. Stewart, alongside Professor Chris Langmead (CEO) and Associate Professor Jess Nithianantharajah (VP, Translational Biology), has played a pivotal role in shaping Phrenix’s research and development strategy. This new funding will accelerate the company’s ability to translate groundbreaking neuroscience into real-world solutions, offering new hope for millions affected by complex mental health conditions.
Reflecting on this milestone, Dr. Stewart shared, “At Phrenix, we are committed to reimagining neuroscience drug discovery. This investment allows us to scale our research and bring transformative medicines closer to clinical application, ultimately improving the lives of individuals, families, and communities worldwide.”
The success of Phrenix Therapeutics is also a testament to the strength of Monash University’s translational research ecosystem, with support from initiatives such as the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) CUREator scheme, Therapeutic Innovation Australia, and the Monash Research Impact Fund (MRIF). These strategic partnerships have enabled Phrenix to bridge the gap between innovative research and commercial application, ensuring that pioneering discoveries reach those who need them most.
As an alumnus of the MedTech Actuator Menzies Fellowship, Greg Stewart exemplifies the impact that visionary leadership, scientific excellence, and strategic investment can have in the field of mental health innovation. We are incredibly proud to support his journey and look forward to witnessing the continued success of Phrenix Therapeutics in delivering life-changing solutions for psychiatric and neurological disorders.
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Our work emphasises the imperative of building a non-siloed coalition of the willing to explore and build a new leadership paradigm which engenders confidence in our leaders, builds collaborative capacity and best positions each of us to step forward with the attributes and ability to navigate the complexities of an increasingly challenging and polarised world.
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