Coral reefs are under pressure from climate change, rising sea temperatures and ecological pests. The pest that does the most direct damage on the Great Barrier Reef is the crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS). Outbreaks can kill up to 90 per cent of the coral on affected reefs.
Australia already spends tens of millions of dollars removing these starfish, and control programs cull tens of thousands of them every year. Despite this effort, there is still no sustainable, long-term solution that is supported by both the community and industry. Culled starfish are treated as waste.
We saw two problems that could become one solution. Crown-of-thorns starfish breed and regenerate at a rate that makes them hard to control, and that same biology makes them an abundant, renewable source of valuable biomaterials. Meanwhile, many of the biomaterials industry uses today, such as collagen, come from mixed meat-industry waste and vary in quality.
Leap Biotech was founded in 2025 to connect the two. We work with experts in biomaterials, marine science and biotechnology to turn culled crown-of-thorns starfish into valuable, single-origin biomaterials.
To develop sustainable biomaterials while contributing to the restoration and protection of coral reef ecosystems.
We believe biotechnology can create value from environmental challenges. Our aim is to help industries access sustainable materials while supporting healthier oceans for generations to come.
Planet. Every kilogram of biomaterial we make is linked to a starfish that has been removed from a reef.
People. We want to build a regional industry that creates skilled jobs in reef communities and gives reef protection work a commercial return.
Progress. We rely on research, testing and transparent claims. We publish what we know and say clearly what is still in development.
Co-founder and CEO
Materials scientist by education and profession
Ashish is a materials scientist by education and profession. As CEO he leads Leap Biotech's company strategy and product development, and takes the science from the lab bench to a scalable product.
Co-founder and COO
Experienced sales and marketing leader
Manisha is an experienced sales and marketing leader. As COO she leads business development, partnerships and operations, and is responsible for taking Leap Biotech's products to market.
Technical Advisor
Research group leader and collagen expert
Dr Abhishek Jalan is a research group leader and collagen expert. He advises Leap Biotech on its technical pathway and on scaling up production.
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We are looking for research partners, reef organisations and investors.
