Medical Countermeasures (MedCM)
HSSA’s Medical Countermeasures Program, first established in 2015 with foresight and seed funding from both CSIRO and from DSTG through the-then Next Generation Technologies Fund, has grown into a cornerstone of Australia’s health security. Through strong, sustained, and truly collaborative partnerships across government, industry and academia, the program is advancing critical diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines that protect against the risk of Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) threats to military personnel and the wider community.
Activities led by the Medical Countermeasures program also contribute to international collaborations including through the Medical Countermeasures Consortium, ensuring Australia plays a leading role in collaborative defence and preparedness.
HSSA’s Collaborative Projects within the Medical Countermeasure Program include:
- Advancing therapeutics for prevention of future pandemics
Investigating novel antibody technologies as a therapy against emerging viral pathogens with vaccine potential - Progressing vaccine platform technologies to prepare against Pathogen X
Validating the capability of innovative platforms, with a focus on manufacturability and scalability, for rapid readiness against novel biological pathogens - Developing sovereign diagnostic manufacture
Production of multiplexed, rapid point-of-care diagnostic platform targeting priority pathogens in the Indo-Pacific region
Why This Work Matters
Medical countermeasures are the frontline response to pandemics, infectious diseases, chemical and radiological threats. Outcomes of this program:
- sustain a broad national effort, leveraging dual-use technologies that benefit both military and civilian populations, and
- strengthen Australia’s medical countermeasure research, industry and manufacturing capability and capacity, to
- support sovereign ability to respond to global and domestic health emergencies.
Collaboration Opportunities
The MedCM Program is a national example of what is possible when government, academia and industry work together for the national good.
To explore opportunities to collaborate with us, please contact: hssa.enquiries@dmtc.com.au
