Uniseed Invests in xCystence Bio to Advance New Therapy Targeting Genetic Kidney Disease

Fundraising includes new investment from Monash Ventures, Breakthrough Victoria, BioCurate and Uniseed

Proceeds to be used for optimisation of the company’s lead Drug – a targeted protein degrader – and progression toward a preclinical candidate

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – 30 March 2026 – Uniseed, Australia’s longest running commercialisation venture fund has made a pre-seed investment into xCystence Bio, a spin-out company from Monash University developing a new therapeutic approach for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD). The company brings together Monash University expertise in kidney disease biology and medicinal chemistry to develop new therapies for the condition. It builds on research led by Professor Ian Smyth from the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Professor Paul Stupple from the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The funding round includes investment from Monash Ventures, Breakthrough Victoria, and BioCurate, and will enable optimisation of the company’s lead therapeutic programs and progression toward the clinic.

ADPKD is the most common inherited kidney disorder and a leading genetic cause of kidney failure globally. Approximately half of all those affected ultimately face end-stage renal disease. The disease is characterised by the progressive growth of fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys, which can ultimately lead to dialysis or transplantation. xCystence Bio is developing a pipeline of Targeted Protein Degraders (TPDs) designed to remove the Aurora kinase A (AURKA) protein, which plays a key role in cyst formation and disease progression in ADPKD. The company’s lead programs focus on selectively degrading AURKA rather than simply inhibiting its activity, a strategy that early research suggests may halt cyst growth while avoiding some of the limitations associated with conventional kinase inhibitors. ADPKD is caused by mutations in the PKD1 and PKD2 genes, which drive the formation and expansion of cysts in kidney tissue. Current treatment options remain limited, with the only approved therapy providing modest benefit and often associated with significant side effects. xCystence Bio’s therapeutic strategy uses targeted protein degradation to selectively remove AURKA, leveraging the body’s natural cellular recycling systems to eliminate the disease-driving protein rather than simply blocking its activity.

Professor Ian Smyth, Co-Founder and Biology Lead said the research behind the company offers a promising new approach to treating ADPKD. “ADPKD remains a devastating condition for many patients and families, and new treatment options are urgently needed. The xCystence approach of targeting AURKA offers a novel intervention halting cyst growth and disease progression.”

Professor Paul Stupple, Co-Founder and Chemistry Lead, said the targeted protein degradation approach represents a promising direction for drug discovery. “Targeted protein degradation allows us to remove a disease-driving protein rather than simply inhibiting its activity. This opens up new possibilities for developing therapies that more effectively address the underlying biology of the disease.”

This investment further highlights Uniseed’s role in working with leading Universities such as Monash and Monash Ventures through their Pre-Seed Fund, and its place in the Australian innovation ecosystem. Dr John Kurek, Uniseed’s Investment Director said: “We are excited by the significant clinical potential for the targeted therapeutic approach being developed by xCystence Bio, that capitalises on foundational Australian science. This investment highlights the ongoing relationship Uniseed has with Monash University in supporting spin-out companies formed around world class medical research”.

Dr Ingmar Wahlqvist, Acting Chief Commercialisation Officer at Monash University and Senior Director, Monash Ventures, said the investment shows the strength of Australia’s research and investment community.

“We’re proud to collaborate with Breakthrough Victoria, Uniseed and BioCurate, organisations who recognise the immense value of supporting outstanding Monash research as we build the next generation of biotech companies.”
Dr Ingmar Wahlqvist, Acting Chief Commercialisation Officer

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About xCystence Bio

xCystence Bio is developing and optimising new, safe and effective drugs that prevent the formation of new cysts and the growth of existing ones in patients with polycystic kidney disease (PKD). In preventing or slowing disease progression, these therapies have the potential to significantly improve quality of life for those living with PKD.

About Uniseed

Uniseed is Australia’s longest running and most successful research commercialisation venture fund, operating at the intersection of academia and industry. Backed by nine leading Australian universities, the national Science agency CSIRO and superannuation fund UniSuper, Uniseed facilitates the commercialisation of its research partner’s most promising intellectual property and secures targeted investment turning their ideas into products and services. Uniseed supports innovations that solve market problems and create a positive impact for the community. Uniseed invests over a broad range of technology sectors and has exited twelve investments, to date.

For more information visit www.uniseed.com.

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