Aeterna Health

Partnership at a glance

• Aeterna Health is one of the first companies to set up at the new La Trobe University Bio Innovation Hub, cementing an ongoing partnership
• Specialising in immunotherapy, Aeterna Health is developing stem cell and immune cell therapies to target cancer, osteoarthritis and auto immune diseases, as well as skin rejuvenation treatments
• Setting up in the Bio Innovation Hub offers the company advantages ranging from access to advanced technology, specialist equipment, private and shared workspaces and the opportunity to mix with other innovators
• Aeterna Health wants to develop a program to involve La Trobe PhD students in research and to provide them experience translating their work into healthcare products.

Case study

Shifting house is rarely easy. But for Aeterna Health, moving into La Trobe University’s new $8 million Bio Innovation Hub brings only benefits.

The biotech company is one of the first arrivals at the Hub, which opened in July 2024 and, equipped with PC2 laboratories, office spaces, and shared equipment, aims to help turn innovative biotech and agri-technology research into thriving businesses.

But Aeterna Health Co-Founder and Director Riddick Jie says that their co-location partnership with La Trobe is just another stage in an established relationship that is helping the early-stage company to grow.

Specialising in immunotherapy, Aeterna Health is developing stem cell and immune cell therapies to target cancer, osteoarthritis and autoimmune diseases, as well as skin rejuvenation treatments.

With an approved clinical trial underway, the company’s scientists needed “next level” lab facilities. The Hub offers key equipment like incubators and freezers, and services like equipment safety checks and 24-hour maintenance.

“These things are almost impossible for individual biotech companies to have” says Jie.

The Hub provides a dedicated, secure lab space for the Aeterna Health team to process samples and, elsewhere on campus, a sterility test facility that is critical to efficient workflow.

“We’ve worked with La Trobe through this journey, visiting the Hub multiple times during construction. There has been the opportunity to make suggestions about what equipment we need, and we’ve had a lot of support,” says Jie.

But while IP security and private workspaces are important, the Hub is also a place for like-minded scientists and entrepreneurs to mingle, exchanging knowledge and identifying opportunities.

“We all want to make this a great, friendly place to work, with people who share the same passion and excitement for what we do,” says Jie. “We want to deliver something from this Hub that furthers commercialisation and provides the best products to the marketplace.

“In this space, we will be able to talk with other scientists about what they do and see any potential collaborations. Sharing ideas is what creates success.”

Success takes many forms, and one powerful measure is the capacity to nurture talent. Aeterna Healthcare is working with La Trobe to plan a PhD program that gives students first-hand research translation and commercialisation experience.

“Most amazing ideas come from universities, but it can be hard to translate these ideas to benefit society. We want to support that work by having PhD students join the Aeterna Health lab through a program that assists us, but also offers a clear professional journey for our amazing future scientists.”

Visit Aeterna Health.

To learn more about the Hub, visit Bio Innovation Hub.

To connect about university partnership opportunities, contact the La Trobe Industry Engagement Enterprise Development team at enterprise.dev@latrobe.edu.au