Prashanth Rajan: Investing in innovation

For Dr Prashanth Rajan, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and commercialisation is both a passion and a profession. As an Investment Analyst at Brandon Capital, Australia’s largest life sciences venture capital firm, he plays a critical role in identifying, funding, and supporting groundbreaking biotech startups.

“My job is incredibly rewarding because I get to meet brilliant entrepreneurs and scientists who are working on some of the most exciting research discoveries,” he explains.

“It’s about finding the opportunities with real commercial potential and helping them navigate the early, high-risk stages of building a company.”

Brandon Capital manages over a billion Australian dollars in investments, focusing on early-stage companies in life sciences. In addition to funding startups, Prashanth and his colleagues actively support the broader biotech ecosystem. “We don’t just invest – we also mentor, guide, and help build the foundations for innovation in Australia.”

From research to venture capital

Prashanth’s journey into investment began with a strong foundation in science. After completing a Master of Biotechnology (Advanced) at The University of Queensland in 2011, he pursued a PhD in neurotoxic venom peptides in Professor Richard Lewis’ lab at UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience. “My research focused on understanding how venom peptides from cone snails evolved for defence and predation, and their potential as treatments for chronic pain,” he explains.

During his studies, he discovered a growing interest in commercialisation. “One of the great things about UQ’s biotech program is that it combines technical training with exposure to business, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property,” he says. “I deliberately chose courses in entrepreneurship and finance, which gave me a solid foundation in commercialisation.”

After completing his PhD, he sought ways to apply both his scientific expertise and his business acumen. “Life science investing is a unique field because the technical barrier to entry can be high. Most of my colleagues are PhD-trained scientists or clinicians with commercial experience,” he explains. His blend of research experience and business knowledge made him a strong fit for the world of venture capital.

Driving impact in biotech

For Prashanth, the real impact of his work lies in translating scientific breakthroughs into tangible healthcare solutions. “Australia has an incredible research community tackling some of the biggest health challenges, but unless these discoveries are commercialised, they might not reach patients,” he says. “My role is about identifying those early-stage discoveries and helping to build companies that can turn them into real treatments.”

One of the biggest trends he sees in biotech is the continuing move towards personalised medicine. “We’re moving away from one-size-fits-all treatments towards highly targeted therapies. Antibody-drug conjugates, radiopharmaceuticals, and genetic medicine are some of the most exciting developments on the horizon,” he explains.

“These innovations have the potential to revolutionise how we treat diseases like cancer and chronic illnesses.”

Biotech innovation, he believes, is more critical now than ever. “Health is something that affects all of us. The ability to develop better treatments and improve quality of life is one of the most powerful things we can do as scientists.”

Memories of UQ and advice for students

Reflecting on his time at UQ, Prashanth credits the program’s industry-focused approach with shaping his career. “Ross Barnard, who was the program director at the time, really opened my eyes to the breadth of biotech,” he recalls. “I came into the program with a narrow view, but UQ exposed me to so many different aspects of the field.”

One of his best memories was taking entrepreneurship courses through the UQ Business School. “Those courses completely changed the way I thought about innovation and business,” he says. “It wasn’t just about learning science – it was about learning how to apply it.”

His advice for students? Stay curious and explore different areas. “Biotech is a complex and evolving landscape, so gaining experience in different aspects – whether research, business, or investment – will help you find where you fit best.” He also encourages resilience. “In research, you fail more often than you succeed. But when you do succeed, it’s incredibly rewarding.”

He recommends taking advantage of internships and industry exposure, especially in Brisbane’s growing biotech ecosystem. “The sector is maturing, and there are more opportunities than ever before.”

The future of biotech and UQ’s role

Looking ahead, Prashanth sees great potential for UQ to differentiate itself on the global biotech stage. “One of UQ’s biggest strengths is its ability to marry technical excellence with commercialisation,” he says. “When I did my PhD, I participated in a commercialisation training program run by UniQuest, and that experience was invaluable.”

He believes UQ should continue investing in industry-focused training and ensuring that students are exposed to commercialisation pathways. “There’s more venture capital available in biotech now than ever before, and as more startups emerge, there will be increasing demand for industry-ready graduates.”

Ultimately, Prashanth sees a bright future for biotech in Australia. “It’s an exciting time. More capital, more startups, and more innovation mean more opportunities for students and professionals alike,” he says. “And UQ is in a great position to be a leader in that space.”