WA Therapeutics Accelerator
Powering Western Australia’s therapeutic future
The WA Therapeutics Accelerator (WATA) unites Western Australia’s research base with local commercialisation and management expertise, backed by a dedicated seed fund, to move early-stage therapeutic discoveries toward investment readiness.
Free to take part · No assignment of rights to your research · Projects at any stage welcome
Our approach
Real case studies, hands-on support
WATA is built around real case studies and direct, hands-on involvement rather than theoretical training. Researchers work alongside experienced commercialisation and management specialists on their own therapeutic candidates, tackling the strategic, structuring and investment-readiness challenges unique to therapeutics.
We provide embedded, in-the-trenches support for health and medical technologies still at a very early stage of development.
Our mission
From discovery to impact
We help promising Western Australian science progress into investable, development-ready therapies, creating better outcomes for patients, researchers, communities and the WA economy.
Built on the belief that breakthrough therapies need more than great research, WATA brings commercialisation expertise, industry connections and practical support to help teams move from discovery to impact, building WA’s capability to translate world-class research into improved patient outcomes.
The program
Four stages from bench to investment
WATA is delivered by a multidisciplinary team with deep commercialisation knowledge across intellectual property, strategic product positioning, regulatory, legal, fundraising, branding and governance.
Module 1 · Oct 2026 · Open to everyone
Case Study Sessions
From bench to breakthrough: tales from the trenches of commercialisation, presented by senior biotech leaders.
Module 2 · Nov–Dec 2026 · Opening soon
Commercialisation Workshops
A hands-on review with the WATA team and expert advisors to identify strengths, weaknesses, gaps and opportunities in your project.
Module 3 · Jan–Apr 2027 · By invitation
Intensive Mentoring
Customised mentoring for 4 to 6 shortlisted projects to build an investable outcome and prepare for initial funding discussions.
May–Jun 2027 · Selected participants
Seed Investment
Selected participants may be considered for investment through HTG’s early-stage fund, subject to due diligence and standard terms.
Module 1 · case study event
From Bench to Breakthrough: Commercialisation Lessons from Biotech’s Front Lines
Explore the decisions that can make — or break — a promising biotech opportunity. Drawing on real therapeutic development journeys, speakers will examine common pitfalls across:
- Clinical development planning and evidence generation
- Product–market fit and commercial positioning
- Regulatory strategy and manufacturing readiness
- Funding, partnering and investor engagement
- Building the right team, governance and execution capability
The session features four concise case studies, followed by a panel discussion, audience Q&A and networking. It’s designed for researchers, clinician-innovators, startup founders, investors, technology-transfer professionals and industry partners.
Speakers
David Fuller – Life sciences industry veteran and globally experienced CMO (Dimerix, Genzyme)
Liddy McCall – Health Translation Group, Argenica, Dimerix, iCeutica, Macquarie Bank
Richard Hopkins – Rex Ortho, Cytophenix and Blinklab; previously Zelira, Phylogica
Meg Thomas – CEO, Atherid; previous clinical, operations and regulatory roles at Argenica and Zelira
Module 2 · Nov–Dec 2026
Commercialisation Workshops
A hands-on, supportive process with access to the WATA team and expert advisors who have successfully developed therapeutic drugs from WA research. This open phase is akin to a deep due diligence review, identifying strengths, weaknesses, gaps and opportunities in each project to accelerate its growth.
Registrations opening soon.
Module 3 · Jan–Apr 2027 · By invitation
Mentoring Engagement
A hands-on mentoring engagement that takes 4 to 6 shortlisted applicants to build an investable outcome: attracting management and board, establishing corporate frameworks and governance, and positioning for initial funding discussions.
May–Jun 2027
Seed Funding Opportunities
At the end of the program, selected participants may be considered for investment through HTG’s early-stage fund, subject to the usual due diligence requirements and standard investment terms.
Register your interest
Who should register
Academic researchers and research teams based in Western Australia with early-stage therapeutic drug candidates, therapeutic technologies or related health innovations that are not yet ready for direct investment. Registering ensures your project is considered for the hands-on modules, seed equity backing and a pathway towards investment readiness.
Why register
- Access to WATA’s commercialisation and management expertise, drawn from teams involved in translating WA medical research into FDA-approved drugs
- Potential for seed equity investment to help mature your therapeutic candidate
- Strategic and structuring support to prepare your research for investment
- A pathway to turn early-stage discoveries into export income, jobs and innovation for WA
Expert advisors and presenters
Learn from people who have done it
James Williams
Health Translation Group Limited
Liddy McCall
Health Translation Group Limited
Richard Hopkins
Rex Ortho, Cytophenix
Sue MacLeman
Medicines Australia, HTG
Meg Thomas
Atherid Therapeutics
Grace Molloy
WA Therapeutics Accelerator, HTG
Kevin Pfleger
Perkins, UWA, WALSIH
David Fuller
Dimerix Limited
Check back soon as we continue to add expert advisors to the program.
FAQs
Common questions
Is there a cost to take part?
No — thanks to investment from the WA Government’s Innovation Pathways Program from the New Industries and Innovation Fund (via the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification).
Do I need a finalised research project to join?
No. You can be at any stage of development, or simply interested in learning for the future. Everyone is welcome at the case study sessions.
Can I attend if I’m not working on a biotechnology project?
Yes. Come along to learn how commercialisation works in health — many lessons from biotechnology apply across other life sciences projects.
Will taking part sign over any rights to my research?
No. Being part of the program does not assign any rights to your research.
What about confidentiality?
All participants from the workshop stage sign confidentiality agreements to protect everyone and help you get the most out of the program. Signing one doesn’t create any expectation that you will continue in the program, or assign any rights to your research.
How many projects will move to Module 3?
A handful. The accelerator provides intensive mentoring, so only a few projects can progress to Module 3.
Will there be an investment offer at the end?
HTG may make an investment offer to selected participants of the program.
Stay informed
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