AusBiotech

It’s that time of year when our industry unites to reflect on achievements and celebrate success. Earlier this week, the ‘Spotlight on 2024’ event, presented in partnership with the Life Sciences WA and WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub, highlighted the incredible milestones of WA’s #lifesciences. Thank you to the Hon Stephen Dawson, Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy, Science and Medical Research, Life Sciences WA CEO Dr Tobias Schoep, WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub, Director Biomedical and Health Innovation, Professor Kevin Pfleger and WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub Director Dr Tracey Wilkinson for speaking. The resounding message was the remarkable innovation and collaboration within WA's #lifesciences community. The event wouldn’t have happened without the support of our sponsors ProGenis Pharmaceuticals, NovaCina, Radium Capital and FundWA – thank you!

AusBiotech, today welcomes the appointment of Dr Dell Kingsford Smith to its Board of Directors.  Dell joins the Board with more than 20 years of experience in clinical and commercial strategy across medical technology, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines. Her depth of expertise spans discovery to full commercialisation.  Dr Dell Kingsford Smith said, “I am honoured to have the trust and support of the AusBiotech membership in being elected to the Board. I look forward to working across the broad range of Australian biotech and medtech stakeholders to strengthen further and grow this vital, innovative sector of our economy.”  AusBiotech CEO Rebekah Cassidy said, “I’m delighted that our members have chosen Dell to join our Board and am honoured to work alongside such a diversely experienced set of sector leaders. Their collective expertise and commitment support our organisation's clear and forward-thinking direction. Dell’s extensive knowledge and experience will provide crucial support in fostering the growth of our members and advancing Australia's thriving life sciences ecosystem.” Read more about today's news: https://lnkd.in/gak8wRtY

To drive the development of Australia’s cell and gene therapy research industry, it is essential to understand the current and future investment strategies of key stakeholders in the Australian cell and gene therapy ecosystem. Australia’s Cell & Gene Catalyst, a joint venture of #AusBiotech and Medicines Australia, has partnered with Deloitte to explore the future potential of Australia’s cell and gene ecosystem. The Investment in Innovation survey will gather data on investment in R&D within the cell and gene market in Australia to inform decision-making across the value chain and the sector and the #Catalyst’s future strategy. We would like your participation as we explore Australia’s growing cell and gene industry – complete the Investment in Innovation survey here: https://lnkd.in/gF7d5Vm4 Survey closes December 20. #AusCatalyst Rebekah Cassidy, Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea AM, Elizabeth de Somer

Last week, leaders from across Australia’s #lifesciences ecosystem gathered in Canberra for the first-ever National Biotech and Medtech Development and Commercialisation Summit, hosted by #AusBiotech and MTPConnect. The discussions were rich and future-focused, tackling four critical areas: health protection, commercialisation challenges, capital growth, and workforce development. From these conversations, three themes emerged, including the need for: 1️⃣ A national strategy for the life sciences sector 2️⃣ Industry to be a unified, strategic and sophisticated partner 3️⃣ Greater leverage of the industry’s expertise and knowledge Today, #AusBiotech and MTPConnect are releasing a short joint Communique that seeks to capture the major themes from the Summit, however, there is more work to do. The insights and ideas generated at the Summit and the responses to the Discussion Paper are now being fully collated, distilled and prioritised to generate actionable, forward-looking recommendations. These will inform a joint pre-budget submission for the 2024/25 Federal Budget and an upcoming White Paper, outlining a roadmap for advancing Australia’s life sciences industry. Together, we’re building a stronger future for Australia’s life sciences industry. Read the full Communique below and follow AusBiotech and MTPConnect to stay up to date with our work.  https://lnkd.in/gr8m-aEM Rebekah Cassidy, James Campbell, Karyn McIntosh, Stuart Dignam, Hon. Jaala Pulford, Caroline Duell

Have you seen the latest edition of #AustralasianBioTechnology? The #AusBiotech journal showcases the dynamic landscape of Australia's life sciences industry through a diverse range of articles across various fields, including radiopharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine, mRNA technology, gene therapy, and bionics innovation. This edition also tackles crucial challenges facing our sector, such as antimicrobial resistance and the advancement of CAR-T manufacturing, while exploring practical considerations like protecting trade secrets in biotech. Whether you're involved in research, commercialisation, or investment in Australian biotechnology, this issue offers valuable insights into our thriving industry. Read the latest journal at https://lnkd.in/gfGh3mm #AusBiotechJournal #LifeSciences Agilex Biolabs Pty Ltd, FB Rice, Moderna, Tenmile, Therapeutic Innovation Australia, Acuity Capital, Proto Axiom, Omico, Wellumio, VVMF - Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility, Cell Therapies Pty Ltd, Carina Biotech, Bionics Gamechangers Australia, JiffyStent, CBE Pure Solutions

AusBiotech welcomes the newly appointed members of the independent Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Reform Implementation Advisory Group. AusBiotech CEO Rebekah Cassidy said Australia's HTA system is a key enabler to the successful development and commercialisation of medical innovations in Australia, with a whole pipeline approach – from bench to bedside – required to bring more life changing medical innovations to patients. "We welcome the appointment of Elizabeth de Somer, CEO of Medicines Australia, and Anne Harris, Board Deputy Chair of Medicines Australia and Managing Director of Pfizer Australia and New Zealand, as industry representatives." "Both Liz and Anne are highly regarded industry leaders, with decades of experience across international and Australian markets. Their contributions are invaluable in shaping the future of health technology access in Australia.” “We are also encouraged by the breadth of representation on the Implementation Advisory Group, including clinical and patient expertise." AusBiotech looks forward to following the outcomes of the Implementation Advisory Group and the increased access to health technologies for Australian patients.   Read more about the announcement from the Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care:

That’s a wrap on our first joint National Biotech and Development and Commercialisation Summit! The outcomes from yesterday's discussions will inform a joint Communique and a White Paper from AusBiotech and MTPConnect, outlining a roadmap for advancing Australia’s biotech and medtech industries. Thank you to everyone—from start-ups, SMEs, and multinational companies to investors, manufacturers, peak bodies, accelerators, and research institutes—for coming together in Canberra for this important forum and uniting our voices on how to supercharge the “Development” in Australia’s medical Research and Development strategies. Rebekah Cassidy, James Campbell, Stuart Dignam, Hon. Jaala Pulford, Karyn McIntosh, Emma Boscheinen, Rosanne Hyland, Robyn Lindner, Britney Toogood, Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea AM, Caroline Duell, Andrew Bowskill, Lisa Dubé, Amelia Vom, Duncan Macinnis, Erin McAllum

AusBiotech and MTPConnect were delighted to host the Australian Parliament House reception for delegates from our National Biotech and Medtech Development and Commercialisation Policy Summit. Thank you, Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah MP, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Shadow Minister for Science and the Arts, and Dr Mike Freelander MP, for addressing delegates and highlighting the importance of our industry for Australia's future health and productivity.  It was an excellent opportunity to engage with Members of Parliament and Senators and develop deeper relationships between the Australian life sciences industry and policymakers. Another special thank you to Paul Anderson, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Orthocell Ltd, an AusBiotech member, for sharing Orthocell's incredible story of innovation. Paul spoke about the company's regenerative medicine and the journey of creating groundbreaking products that harness the body's natural ability to heal, restoring mobility and function. Rebekah Cassidy, James Campbell, Stuart Dignam, Hon. Jaala Pulford, Karyn McIntosh, Emma Boscheinen,Rosanne Hyland, Robyn Lindner, Britney Toogood, Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea AM, Caroline Duell, Andrew Bowskill, Lisa Dubé, Amelia Vom, Duncan Macinnis, Erin McAllum

📢 Today’s National Biotech and Medtech Development and Commercialisation Summit 2024 in Canberra brings together more than 100 of Australia’s leading industry figures, policy experts, and innovators to shape the future of the nation’s biotech and medtech sectors with a unified voice. #AusBiotech CEO, Rebekah Cassidy, said the Summit comes at pivotal time for Australian life sciences companies including innovators, manufacturers and service providers. “The factors influencing life sciences investment and growth are changing rapidly, which is why it’s crucial that AusBiotech leverage its national convening power to elevate the sector’s voice and lead evidenced-based policy discussions. Now is the time for a unified strategy and roadmap focused on enhancing industry’s development and commercialisation capabilities to bring more life changing medical innovations to market.” MTPConnect CEO Stuart Dignam says nurturing a culture of innovation and focus on commercialisation can make all the difference. “We need a coordinated strategy for backing life sciences innovation and supporting startups and SMEs through the difficult early years of innovation so we capture more opportunities to develop and commercialise sovereign medical products that create jobs, exports and health improvements.” Through this Summit, both organisations hope to provide a clear roadmap to government and industry stakeholders that aligns our policies, funding, and capabilities to accelerate the commercialisation of Australian innovations and position Australia as a global leader. Read today's media release https://lnkd.in/e273weG4 Hon. Jaala Pulford, James Campbell, Karyn McIntosh, Rosanne Hyland, Emma Boscheinen, Robyn Lindner, Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea AM, Britney Toogood, Lisa Dubé, Amelia Vom, Duncan Macinnis, Erin McAllum, Caroline Duell

Thank you, BioPharmaDispatch and Paul Cross, for having our CEO, Rebekah Cassidy, join your Election Summit in Sydney earlier this week. Rebekah's message to the audience was clear: the global context in which our sector operates is changing, and we need to act as one, with a collaborative voice to support the growth of life sciences here in Australia. “We know that we have distinct advantages and strengths in Australia, but there are also stubborn challenges, and we need to work to address these in a cohesive and disciplined way. AusBiotech is laser-focused on supporting translation, development, and commercialisation to grow our life sciences ecosystem and working with our members, industry peers, and government to forge new ways forward. It was great to hear from my peers and connect with Elizabeth de Somer, CEO of Medicines Australia, Ian Burgess, CEO of Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA), and members and colleagues across the sector."