Investment Update: Myostellar secures agreement with global biotech argenx

Myostellar, a spinout from Monash University's Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI), has advanced its collaboration with global biotechnology company argenx through a new strategic partnership focused on developing novel therapies for muscular diseases. The agreement builds on an existing relationship between Monash and argenx and will support the development of new molecules targeting muscular therapeutic areas.  

For Innovation Victoria this provides an early indication of the benefits of supporting world-class research with the capital, capability and connections needed to move beyond the laboratory and into global markets.  

About Myostellar 

Founded in 2022 by Professor Peter Currie and Professor Mikaël Martino, Myostellar is developing novel therapies for muscular dystrophies, which can stimulate skeletal muscle regeneration with minimal fibrosis. It has been showing great promise for sufferers of muscular dystrophy and acute muscle injury. 

Since its formation, Myostellar has attracted support through Australia's national biotechnology incubator CUREator. It has also been backed by Monash University and the Monash Ventures Pre-Seed Fund- which was established through a partnership between Monash University and Innovation Victoria’s University Innovation Platform to help more research discoveries make the journey from the lab to commercial reality.  

Today, Myostellar stands as part of a growing generation of research-led ventures proving that Victoria's universities can produce globally relevant companies alongside world-class research.  

Myostellar's North Star 

At the heart of Myostellar's journey is a simple ambition: turning scientific discovery into meaningful impact for patients. 

The company's founders have consistently focused on translating breakthrough research into therapies that can improve lives. Their partnership with argenx represents an important step towards that ambition, combining Myostellar's scientific expertise with the development capabilities of a global biotechnology leader.  

More broadly, Myostellar demonstrates what is possible when researchers, founders, universities and investors work together around a shared goal: ensuring great ideas don’t live in research papers, but become products, therapies and companies capable of creating impact around the world.  

Timeline  

2022 
Myostellar is founded by Professors Peter Currie and Mikaël Martino following research undertaken at Monash University's Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute - one of Victoria's leading biomedical research centres. 

2023-2025 
The company secures support through CUREator, Monash University and the Monash Ventures Pre-Seed Fund, helping accelerate its commercialisation journey.  

2026 

Monash University and argenx announce a strategic partnership. Myostellar's work becomes part of a new collaboration focused on developing therapies targeting muscular diseases.   

Myostellar advances from university research venture to a company partnering with a leading international biotechnology organisation, highlighting the global potential of Victorian research.  

Impact to Victoria 

Myostellar's progress offers a powerful example of why and how Victoria is investing in pathways that help research move from discovery to commercialisation. 

Victoria already produces world-class research through its universities and research institutions. The opportunity is ensuring more of those discoveries are translated into products, companies and industries that create long-term economic and social value.  

Myostellar's journey from university laboratory, to venture-backed company, to strategic global partnership demonstrates how research excellence can attract international interest and commercial opportunities when supported by the right ecosystem.  

As Innovation Victoria continues to build on its University Innovation Platform, stories like Myostellar show the potential for more Victorian discoveries to attract global partners, secure international investment, create highly skilled jobs and deliver benefits well beyond the walls of the laboratory.  

What they’re saying about it 

"Myostellar's journey from Monash research to a partnership with a global biotechnology company demonstrates the strength of Victoria's innovation ecosystem and the global potential of our research." 

"It's an early proof point of the University Innovation Platform's ambition to help more Victorian discoveries become globally significant commercial opportunities." 

- Rod Bristow, CEO, Innovation Victoria  

"As researchers, our goal has always been to see our discoveries create meaningful impact for patients. We're proud to be partnering with argenx to help realise that ambition with the support of Monash’s business and commercialisation teams." 

- Professor Currie and Professor Martino 

“It’s outstanding to see Myostellar’s trajectory from company formation to early-stage investment and global industry partnership, informed by Monash’s commercialisation talent and capabilities.” 

- Dr Andrea Huggins, Vice-President (Innovation and Commercialisation), Monash University 

“This research collaboration agreement with argenx represents a powerful endorsement of the depth of expertise, capability and globally recognised talent across medicine and health sciences at Monash.” 

- Dr Alison Greenway, Associate Dean and Senior Director, Enterprise and Partnerships, Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University

“We’re very pleased to further strengthen argenx’s relationship with Monash through the new research collaboration, enabling us to access and deeply engage with Australia’s world-class research community. 

“Built on transparency, long-term commitment, and shared success, our Immunology Innovation Program reflects how argenx works best - side-by-side with collaborators, advancing science that has the potential to define what’s possible for patients. We look forward to working with Monash and Myostellar and bringing together their scientific expertise with argenx’s global development capabilities.” 

- Kathryn Evans, General Manager, Australia, argenx