Ceretas Advances Alzheimer’s Device With New Prototype Milestone
2 min read
9:41am on Wednesday 16th of September, 2026 AEST ~9am, 16th Sept, 26
Ceretas has completed the third milestone of its government-backed CUREator+ program, unlocking a final $692,578 non-dilutive funding tranche. The work delivered functional prototypes of proprietary neuronavigation software and a lift assist device intended to simplify operation of its next-generation Alzheimer’s ultrasound system.
- Milestone 3 completed on schedule
- $692,578 final funding tranche expected in coming weeks
- Functional neuronavigation and lift assist prototypes accepted
- Operator requirement targeted to fall from two to one
- Broader development program remains on track for mid-2027
Ceretas Clears Funding Milestone
Ceretas Limited (ASX:CTS) has completed Milestone 3 of the CUREator+ Dementia & Cognitive Decline program, triggering a final $692,578 tranche of non-dilutive funding from Brandon BioCatalyst. The money is expected to arrive in the coming weeks, so the immediate benefit is secured in principle but not yet reflected as cash received.
The milestone was completed on schedule and accepted by Brandon BioCatalyst after Ceretas delivered fully functional prototypes of two components for its next-generation therapeutic ultrasound device. The work sits within a $2.4 million CUREator+ grant awarded in July 2025 through the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund BioMedTech Incubator initiative.
Two Hardware and Software Workstreams
The first component is in-house image-guided neuronavigation software designed to target specific brain regions. Ceretas says the system will replace its current off-the-shelf technology and is intended to reduce the number of operators required during treatment from two to one, while improving usability and lowering cost of goods.
The second is a lift assist device developed with Planet Innovation, which helps an operator position and steady the ultrasound probe on a patient’s head. Together, the two workstreams are aimed at making the system easier to use and less expensive to operate, although Ceretas has not quantified the expected reduction in cost of goods. The prototype rendering remains subject to change.
Mid-2027 Development Target Remains
Ceretas says the broader development program remains on track for completion by mid-2027. The company is developing a portable, non-invasive therapeutic ultrasound platform for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions, with its next clinical focus on behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.
For shareholders, the announcement provides a discrete execution marker and near-term grant support, but it is not a clinical readout or commercial launch update. The next points of substance are receipt of the funding, further refinement and validation of the prototypes, and progress towards the planned CERE-CALM Phase 2 trial.
Bottom Line?
The funding tranche adds useful non-dilutive support, but the investment case still turns on whether the prototypes translate into a validated, clinically usable device by mid-2027.
Questions in the middle?
- When will the $692,578 tranche be received and recognised by Ceretas?
- Can the new prototypes deliver the claimed usability and cost-of-goods benefits after further validation?
- What timeline will Ceretas provide for commencing the CERE-CALM Phase 2 trial?
