Frequently asked questions
Short answers about who we are, the science behind our work and how to work with us.
About Leap Biotech
What is Leap Biotech?
Leap Biotech is an Australian biotechnology startup, founded in 2025, that turns crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) into valuable biomaterials for cosmetics, research and biomedical applications. Its co-founders are Ashish Rajwar (CEO) and Manisha Chand (COO).
How does Leap Biotech help protect coral reefs?
Crown-of-thorns starfish eat coral, and outbreaks can kill up to 90 per cent of the coral on affected reefs. Control programs already remove tens of thousands of these starfish from reefs every year. Leap Biotech gives those culled starfish a commercial use by turning them into valuable biomaterials. This creates an income stream linked to removing a reef pest, creates employment and new economic opportunities in local communities and supports a circular, reef-positive economy. Leap Biotech will operate across Australia and Fiji. In Fiji, communities and tourism operators are looking for industry partners that can help with their crown-of-thorns starfish control initiatives.
The science
What is a crown-of-thorns starfish?
The crown-of-thorns starfish is a large, spiny starfish that feeds on living coral. It is found on reefs across the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to the west coast of the Americas. Crown-of-thorns starfish belong to the genus Acanthaster (Acanthaster spp.). An adult can eat up to 10 square metres of coral a year, and a large female can release over 200 million eggs a year.
Why are crown-of-thorns starfish so hard to control?
Crown-of-thorns starfish breed in huge numbers, and a large female can release over 200 million eggs a year. They can also regenerate, and starfish cut in half can heal their wounds and start growing new arms within 7 weeks. The reef is enormous, with the Great Barrier Reef alone covering thousands of individual reefs. Culling is also manual, with divers finding starfish by eye and culling them one at a time.
What is atelocollagen?
Atelocollagen is collagen that has had its telopeptides, the short non-helical ends of the collagen molecule, removed. This makes it more suitable for sensitive uses such as premium cosmetics, cell culture and tissue engineering. Leap Biotech produces full-length, single-origin atelocollagen from crown-of-thorns starfish.
Why make collagen from starfish instead of cattle, pigs or fish?
Most collagen today comes from mixed meat-industry waste. That can lead to inconsistent quality, batch-to-batch variability, risks of zoonotic disease and heavy-metal contamination, and reliance on the meat industry. Crown-of-thorns starfish are a single-origin source that is already being removed from reefs, so the raw material does not require farming or extra harvesting.
Products and partners
What products is Leap Biotech developing?
Our first products are cosmetic-grade atelocollagen and an atelocollagen hydrating face mask, which is under development. Behind them is a pipeline of new biotechnology products being developed in our labs.
Can I buy Leap Biotech products?
Leap Biotech is preparing its first biomaterial, cosmetic-grade atelocollagen, for commercial supply. Cosmetic formulators, ingredient distributors and research groups can contact the team at info@leapbiotech.com.au to discuss samples and early supply.
Which countries does Leap Biotech work in?
Leap Biotech currently operates out of Australia, with plans to pilot its operations in both Australia and Fiji in 2027. Crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks have also been recorded in at least 25 other countries and territories, including Japan, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, the Maldives, Papua New Guinea, French Polynesia and Fiji, and the company's collection-to-product model is designed so it can be repeated in other reef regions.
How can I partner with or invest in Leap Biotech?
Leap Biotech works with reef organisations, research institutions, cosmetic and biomaterial companies, and investors. Email info@leapbiotech.com.au or use the contact form on the website, and say which kind of partnership you are interested in.
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