Now in its 19th year, the Western Australia's Innovators of the Year Awards 2025 program showcases and supports local innovative and entrepreneurial individuals, businesses and creative minds.
The Rio Tinto Emerging Innovation category recognises Western Australian innovators who have developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, process or service that is pre-revenue.
The innovations must demonstrate that they offer economic, social and/or environmental benefit to Western Australia.
The winner of this award category will be awarded a cash prize of $60,000 and also receive the benefits of a PhD student, through the support of Biodesign Australia. The runner-up will receive a cash prize of $15,000.
ProGenis Pharmaceuticals
Winner
PGP-011 as an Effective RNA Therapeutic for Treating Insulin Resistance
ProGenis Pharmaceuticals is a Perth-based biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation RNA therapeutics for acquired and genetic diseases and co-founded by Professor Rakesh N. Veedu (Murdoch University) and Professor Marvin Caruthers (University of Colorado; co-founder of Amgen and Applied Biosystems). Leveraging proprietary ‘thiomorpholino’ RNA drug platform, ProGenis efficiently addresses key limitations of existing RNA therapies including safety and efficacy.
PGP-011 is ProGenis’s lead breakthrough RNA treatment for Insulin Resistance in type 2 diabetes. Together with experienced research, clinical and advisory Team, and collaborators, ProGenis is advancing the development of innovative RNA drug molecules into life-saving therapies for people globally.
Acculaser
Runner-Up
Acculaser precision guided drilling for smarter faster underground operations
Acculaser is an Australian mining technology company pioneering high precision laser guidance navigation systems for underground development drilling. Designed to bridge the gap between engineering mine design and real-world execution, Acculaser enables drillers to achieve unmatched accuracy, efficiency and safety at the drill face.
Born from direct, hands-on experience in demanding underground environments, the system replaces manual, error-prone alignment methods with real-time laser navigation and positional control. By optimising the drilling cycle and increasing design compliance, Acculaser enhances the entire mine value chain, from faster development to earlier ore access.
Backed by an experienced advisory board and strategic partners, Acculaser delivers precision, productivity and more sustainable mining practices.
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