the daffodil centre

What the daffodil centre does

The Daffodil Centre is an Australian non-profit research partnership formed in 2021 between Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney, dedicated to cancer control, prevention, screening and health policy research. It operates from sites in Woolloomooloo and Newtown, NSW, employing more than 100 researchers, clinicians, biostatisticians and policy experts, and is formally recognised as a World Health Organization Centre of Excellence in cervical cancer elimination. Its core outputs include the Policy1 microsimulation modelling suite used to forecast cancer incidence and screening outcomes, risk-prediction tools for melanoma and breast cancer built on linked Australian datasets (including the 45 and Up Study and Cancer Institute NSW assets), and behavioural interventions such as the EMPOWER-SMS programme. The Centre also contributes evidence directly into national clinical guidelines and screening policy, including Australia's 2024 vaping reforms and an active Roadmap for a National Targeted Melanoma Screening Programme.

The Centre is funded almost exclusively through public-sector and philanthropic grants — including Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Cancer Institute NSW, the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), Movember and the AJ Forsyth endowment — rather than commercial sales. Its deliverables are consumed by government health agencies, clinical guideline bodies, cancer councils and academic collaborators across Australia and internationally (GenoMEL, GEM, InterMEL, OCAC, OC3). Notable senior research leaders include Prof Anne Cust (280+ publications, $70M+ cumulative funding), Prof Martin Widschwendter, Prof Graham Mann and A/Prof Rachael Dodd. The Centre is currently operating under Interim Directors while permanent executive leadership is being recruited, following the execution of a new Affiliation and Collaboration Agreement in October 2025.

Name

the daffodil centre

Legal name

The Daffodil Centre

Website

https://daffodilcentre.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Daffodil Centre is a non-profit cancer research partnership between Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney, employing 100+ researchers to build microsimulation models, risk-prediction tools, and behavioural interventions that inform Australian cancer screening and prevention policy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Control Research

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Medical Oncology (HLAKAFAB), Biostatistics, Statistical Computing & Clinical Programming (SAS/R/Pipelines) (HLACAOAO), Global Health Research, Clinical Trials & Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) (HLAJAOAM)

Keywords

• Cancer epidemiology research
• Cancer screening policy
• Health economics evaluation
• Microsimulation modelling
• Implementation science

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Research Grants: The Daffodil Centre receives funding from government bodies including the Australian Government's Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Cancer Institute NSW, and state health departments. Funding supports specific research programs and fellowships.
2. Foundation and Nonprofit Grants: Research supported by foundations including National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, Movember, Tour de Cure, and others. The NBCF 10-year Chair grant supports breast cancer research.
3. Institutional Partnership Funding: Core operational funding from the partnership between Cancer Council NSW and University of Sydney. The 2025 Affiliation and Collaboration Agreement formalizes this partnership.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Daffodil Centre is a research partnership that conducts cancer control, prevention, screening, and health policy research spanning breast, prostate, melanoma, ovarian, lung, and colorectal cancers. It delivers epidemiological studies, microsimulation modelling, genomic risk prediction, health economic evaluations, clinical trials, and implementation science that translate into national clinical guidelines and policy reform. Outputs include research programs, digital health interventions (e.g., EMPOWER-SMS), clinical decision support tools, and policy recommendations.

Product overview

The Daffodil Centre is a research partnership between Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney focused on cancer control and policy research. The centre operates as a platform of research programs and clinical tools rather than a commercial product company. Core offerings include population health research spanning cancer prevention, early detection, screening, and survivorship across multiple cancer types (breast, prostate, melanoma, ovarian, lung, colorectal). Key product-like offerings include digital health interventions (EMPOWER-SMS GP text message program for breast cancer survivors, TextMeHealthy for rural/Indigenous communities), research programs (Australian Cancer Risk Study for genomic risk prediction, MCD Spotlight for multi-cancer detection evaluation), policy initiatives (National Melanoma Screening Roadmap), clinical decision support tools (melanoma risk prediction tools), and modelling platforms (Policy1-Prostate). Research streams cover Breast Cancer Clinical and Population Health, Cancer Policy and Communications, Consumer Involvement in Research, Genomics and Precision Health, Health Economics, Melanoma and Skin Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Research Methods, Research Operations and Support, Supportive Care and Patient Outcomes, and Triple I (Innovation-Implementation-Impact).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EMPOWER-SMS GP A text message wellness program for breast cancer survivors delivering four messages per week for six months covering healthy eating, physical activity, mental health, and symptom management. Evaluated in a research study testing implementation feasibility in general practice settings alongside GP care.
• Australian Cancer Risk Study A $3M MRFF-funded innovative program harnessing genomics for improved cancer risk prediction and early detection for breast, prostate, melanoma, and colorectal cancers. Co-led by A/Prof Julia Steinberg, developing evidence-based recommendations for risk-based cancer control interventions.
• MCD Spotlight A $3M MRFF-funded collaborative research program evaluating the potential of innovative multi-cancer detection (MCD) tests in Australia. Establishes evidence-based recommendations for patient-friendly and earlier detection of cancers through a multi-institutional collaboration.
• Roadmap for a National Targeted Melanoma Screening Program Australian Government-funded initiative providing evidence-based recommendations for implementing a national targeted melanoma screening program. Involves over 100 researchers, clinicians, policy experts, and people with lived experience with focus on equity, access, and feasibility.
• Fear of Cancer Recurrence Clinical Pathway World-first standardized, evidence-based, and multidisciplinary clinical pathway for managing fear of recurrence in cancer survivors. Developed with cultural sensitivity for implementation in diverse health districts, supported by Cancer Institute NSW Career Development Fellowship.
• TextMeHealthy Text message wellness program co-designed for women with cancer in rural and Indigenous communities in Canada's Northwest Territories. Developed in collaboration with local cancer charity group Northwest Territories Breast Health/Breast Cancer Action Group.
• Policy1-Prostate Predictive modelling platform evaluating benefits and harms of prostate cancer testing and different patterns of care. Used to inform Australian national guidelines on early detection of prostate cancer.
• Melanoma Risk Prediction Tools Validated and prospectively evaluated risk prediction tools to better identify, treat, and follow-up people with melanoma or at high risk of developing melanoma. Includes the Melanoma Genomics Managing Your Risk Study RCT.
• Sun Wise Study Randomized controlled trial testing efficacy of wearable UV sensors with real-time feedback in supporting sun-safe behaviors in melanoma survivors. Uses latest technology in UV sensors to improve survival outcomes.
• Pros-D Phase II Clinical Trial Clinical trial on vitamin D supplementation for prostate cancer, supported by $1.06M Movember Clinical Trials Award.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% easy-to-understand, 91% useful, 87% felt more supported
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Cancer Council NSWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Daffodil Centre is a research partnership between Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney. Cancer Council NSW provides institutional support, operational infrastructure at their Woolloomooloo location, and research staff. Professor Martin Widschwendter serves as Director from Cancer Council NSW, and Professor Graham Mann serves as Deputy Director. The partnership combines complementary strengths of both organizations to accelerate progress towards a cancer-free future.
• University of SydneycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Daffodil Centre is a research partnership between Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney. The University of Sydney provides academic oversight, research faculty including Professor Anne Cust as Director, and facilities at their Newtown location. Professor Anne Cust serves as Director from the University of Sydney, and Associate Professor Rachael Dodd serves as Deputy Director. The partnership enables academic rigor and clinical translation of research.
• Melanoma Institute AustraliamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMelanoma Institute Australia partners with the Daffodil Centre on melanoma research, with Professor Anne Cust serving as a Faculty member and co-leading the 'Prevention, risk and clinical detection of melanoma' research theme. The partnership combines clinical expertise with population health research for comprehensive melanoma control.
• Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and AgeingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner for Generation Vape national study and other research programs. The government department provides project funding as part of national health priorities.
• GenoMEL ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational melanoma genetics research consortium bringing together world-class researchers to study melanoma etiology using large comprehensive datasets.
• GEM ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenes, Environment and Melanoma consortium, international collaborative research on environmental and genetic factors in melanoma.
• InterMEL ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntegration of Clinical and Molecular Biomarkers for Melanoma Survival consortium, international research on melanoma survival biomarkers.
• Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium (OCAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational ovarian cancer research consortium for epidemiological studies on racial and ethnic differences in ovarian cancer risk factors.
• Ovarian Cancer Cohort Consortium (OC3)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational consortium for ovarian cancer cohort studies examining survival and risk factors including NSAID use and ovarian cancer outcomes.
• BreastScreen VictoriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVictorian breast cancer screening program partner for digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) population screening research and pilot trials.
• Macquarie University Australian Institute of Health InnovationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner collaborating on equity in cancer care research including culturally diverse community engagement in cancer care improvement.
• Sydney Local Health DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system partner for research on supportive care for older people with cancer, enhancing clinical workflow and supportive care services.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Cancer Council Australia: National peak body for Cancer Councils across Australia. Comparable as the parent/umbrella of one of the Daffodil Centre's two founding partners (Cancer Council NSW), with broader policy and advocacy mandate.
• Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre: Australia's largest dedicated cancer hospital and research centre. Comparable as a major Australian cancer research entity with overlapping clinical and translational research, though with a broader treatment and clinical-trial focus.
• Cancer Research UK: World's largest independent cancer research charity. Comparable as a nonprofit funder and convenor of cancer research across prevention, early detection and treatment — though at much larger scale and with a UK focus.
• National Cancer Institute (NCI): US government agency for cancer research and training. Comparable in mission to advance cancer control through research, though funded by government appropriations rather than competitive grants and operating at vastly greater scale.

Direct peers

• Melanoma Institute Australia: Australia's leading melanoma research and treatment organisation. Directly comparable as a fellow Australian nonprofit cancer research entity, and an active strategic partner of the Daffodil Centre on melanoma prevention and risk prediction research led by Professor Anne Cust.
• Cancer Council Victoria: State-level cancer nonprofit that funds and conducts cancer control research and prevention programs. Directly comparable as a sibling state-based cancer nonprofit with overlapping research, policy and prevention mandates.
• Garvan Institute of Medical Research: Sydney-based medical research institute with significant genomics and cancer research programs. Directly comparable as a Sydney-based research organisation with strong genomics and clinical translation focus; previous employer of the Daffodil Centre's Operations and Strategy Manager.
• Westmead Institute for Medical Research: Sydney-based medical research institute with strong gynaecological and translational cancer research. Directly comparable — Professor Anna DeFazio heads its Gynaecological Oncology research group and serves as Ovarian Cancer Team Co-Lead at the Daffodil Centre.
• QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute: Queensland-based medical research institute with major cancer epidemiology and genetic risk programs. Comparable as a large Australian nonprofit research institute focusing on cancer causation, prevention and population health.
• Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research: Perth-based medical research institute with translational cancer research programs. Comparable as an Australian nonprofit medical research institute with a similar mix of basic, translational and clinical cancer research.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DaffodilCentre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-daffodil-centre

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about the daffodil centre