As 2025 draws to a close, The Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery (ACMD) reflects on a year defined by momentum, resilience and purposeful progress.
While much of the year unfolded behind the scenes, it was marked by significant work to transition the ACMD from a new building into a functioning, collaborative research and innovation hub; one that is now actively welcoming researchers, clinicians, partners and industry into the space.
A major focus throughout the year was ensuring the ACMD building was not only complete, but genuinely ‘ready for research’. This meant identifying and resolving a range of post-construction issues, commissioning complex systems, and putting in place the operational foundations required for safe, efficient and future-focused biomedical research.
Laboratories were certified ahead of schedule, key building systems were made fully operational, and meeting, teaching and collaboration spaces were activated to support daily use. Sustainability was also embedded early, with the ACMD progressing a Green Labs program aligned with international best practice and the expectations of global research collaborators.
Behind this work sat careful planning, close coordination with partners, and a strong focus on quality, safety and long-term value.
University of Melbourne Acting VC Professor Michael Wesley, ACMD Chair Brenda Shanahan AO and St Vincent’s Health Australia Group CEO, Chris Blake at the Soft Opening in November.
With the building operational, attention turned to bringing the ACMD to life.
In November, the ACMD marked an important milestone with its Soft Launch, welcoming partners, clinicians, researchers, industry and supporters into the space for the first time. Since then, the auditorium and shared spaces have hosted a steady program of partner-led and sector events, building awareness of the ACMD’s purpose while fostering early collaboration across the ecosystem.
The Clinical School moved into the ACMD in late November, ready for students arriving on 27 January 2026 and St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research Bioinformatics group was inducted early December, with further partner groups beginning staged use of the building. This gradual approach reflects the ACMD’s commitment to ensuring that governance, safety and research readiness remain paramount as activity scales.
During 2025, the ACMD started to establish its role as an ecosystem convener, connecting clinicians, researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs and industry to accelerate medical technology innovation.
Key programs continued to take shape, including the Link and Challenge programs, designed to surface unmet clinical needs and support teams through translation and commercialisation pathways. The ACMD also delivered its first BioDesign Innovation Bootcamp in partnership with Victorian Medical Device Hub, equipping clinicians and innovators with practical tools to take ideas from concept to impact.
Alongside this, the ACMD supported a growing portfolio of early-stage research projects and worked closely with partners to navigate the complex regulatory, ethics and governance environments that underpin hospital-based research.
Throughout the year, the ACMD strengthened its role as an ecosystem convener, connecting clinicians, researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs and industry to accelerate medical technology innovation.
The ACMD’s partner network deepened over the year, with increased engagement across universities, research institutes, hospitals and industry.
A major highlight was the formal collaboration with ANDHealth, Australia’s national digital health accelerator, now co-located at the ACMD. This partnership significantly expands access to commercialisation support, programs and events for the ACMD researchers and start-ups, while reinforcing the ACMD’s position within the national health innovation ecosystem.
The ACMD also continued to engage with state government, international delegations and industry leaders, hosting delegations and sector events that showcased Melbourne’s strength in biomedical engineering, digital health and translational research.
As the ACMD heads into 2026, the focus shifts firmly to growth and impact: expanding research activity, progressing translational programs, welcoming additional tenants, and preparing for the official opening in June 2026; an event that will celebrate collaboration, discovery and the community that has brought the ACMD to life.
None of this progress has been accidental. It has been driven by sustained leadership, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to building something that will serve researchers, clinicians and patients for decades to come.
The ACMD enters the new year operational, activated and ready; with momentum building and an exciting chapter ahead.
Staged move-in has commenced with the ACMD Intranet access provided at induction.
