$35 Million Allocation for Groundbreaking Corneal Blindness Research

The Australian Government has allocated $35 million to the University of Sydney-led BIENCO consortium to accelerate the commercialization of their pioneering research aimed at combating corneal blindness, a condition affecting an estimated 23 million individuals worldwide.

BIENCO, a groundbreaking collaboration comprising clinical, scientifc, and governance experts from leading Australian institutions including the University of Wollongong, University of Melbourne, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), the Centre for Eye Research Australia, and the NSW Organ & Tissue Donation Service (OTDS), is spearheading efforts to develop bioengineered corneal replacement tissue utilizing cells and tissue donated by deceased individuals.

Corneal disease ranks as the third most prevalent cause of blindness globally, with over 10 million individuals awaiting corneal transplants. The program lead, Professor Gerard Sutton from the University of Sydney, underscores the profound impact of this condition on individuals’ lives and the signifcant burden it places on the healthcare system.

Professor Gordon Wallace of the University of Wollongong, lauded for his contributions to health technologies, emphasizes the global signifcance of their work and the advancements achieved by the BIENCO team.

The initiative is particularly critical for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with over 2,000 Australians, including many from these communities, requiring corneal tissue transplants annually. By leveraging cuttingedge bioengineering techniques, BIENCO aims to address the chronic shortage of corneas in the developing world, signifcantly reducing reliance on donated tissue and enhancing the speed and quality of patient care.

The QUT BIENCO node, led by Professor Damien Harkin, plays a pivotal role in developing methods for isolating, cultivating, and validating donor corneal cells, with the potential to treat multiple patients from a single donor cornea.

Danielle Fisher, General Manager of the NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service, underscores the far-reaching impact of sight restoration on individuals, families, and communities, emphasizing the broader health and economic benefts of BIENCO’s bioengineered products.

Professor Greg Qiao, leading the University of Melbourne node, emphasizes the goal of producing multiple grafts from a single donor’s tissue to alleviate the global shortage of donor corneas.

Minister Mark Butler hails the grant as a signifcant step towards addressing the pressing need for innovative treatments, reaffrming Australia’s leadership in medical research.

Professor Mark Scott AO, Vice-Chancellor, and President of the University of Sydney, underscores the university’s commitment to translational research with global impact, positioning BIENCO as a key component of its strategy to address pressing global challenges.

Professor Emma Johnston, Deputy ViceChancellor (Research) at the University of Sydney, expresses gratitude for the funding, highlighting BIENCO’s potential to transform the lives of thousands of Australians in need of corneal transplants each year.

The $35 million grant represents a substantial investment in pioneering medical research, further solidifying Australia’s position as a leader in biomedical innovation and healthcare advancement.