AusBiotech

📢 AusBiotech 2024 National Conference programme unveiled #AusBio2024 is Australia’s premier life science conference and the flagship event of Australia’s biggest week in biotech. This year will be the biggest programme to date, featuring over 60 engaging sessions and more than 200 speakers in Melbourne from 30 October-1 November. With the main conference opening to be delivered by The Hon. Natalie Hutchins MP, Minister for Jobs and Industry, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Minister for Women at Victorian Government, other programme highlights so far include: ➡️ Philipp T. Ernst, Vice President of Quantum Solutions & Business Development, PsiQuantum, will present 'Fault tolerant quantum computing: Hardware, algorithms and their applications in biotech' to provide insights on PsiQuantum’s roadmap to deliver the world’s first utility-scale quantum computer in Australia, and how this technology unlocks the true potential of quantum algorithms applied to quantum chemistry problems and their relevance in biotech; ➡️ AusBiotech 2024’s Millis Orator Dr Daniel Timms, founder, BiVACOR, will discuss his journey in developing the first permanent total artificial heart. The Millis Oration is named in honour of Emeritus Professor Nancy Millis's contribution to the industry, and is held annually at the AusBiotech conference together with continuous support from CSL. The Oration is a focal point of the annual industry gathering and is appropriately named in honour of this pioneer of Australia’s biotechnology industry; ➡️ Keynote Michael Hund, Global Chief Executive Officer, EB Research Partnership (EBRP), will present on 'Venture into cures: How patient foundations, biotech, and academia can unite via innovative business models to accelerate treatments and cures', which will discuss how EBRP, as the largest global nonprofit dedicated to curing Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), has raised over $60 million to fund more than 140 global scientific projects and companies through its award winning venture philanthropy and business model, growing the clinical trial landscape from two to more than 40 clinical trials, and achieving the first two FDA approved treatments in 2023. Find out more about the conference here: https://lnkd.in/dBQrF8r4

📢 New partnership and event announcement. AusBiotech and MTPConnect are partnering to deliver Australia’s first National Biotech and Medtech Development and Commercialisation Summit in Canberra on 19 November 2024.  The Summit will focus on how Australia can supercharge the “D” in its medical R&D strategies and help future-proof the country’s access to biotech and medtech innovation. Bringing together Australia’s most senior industry experts, innovators and policy makers, attendees will explore the opportunities and challenges for Australia in supercharging the “D” and start to unlock the key drivers that will ensure health and medical commercialisation is serving the needs of Australia now and into the future. AusBiotech and MTPConnect are seeking a cross-section of senior leaders from the biotech and medtech industry to contribute to these important discussions. With seats at the Summit limited by venue size, both organisations will be seeking representation across sectors, disciplines, geography and gender. Some direct invitations will be extended to industry leaders, policy makers and other stakeholders. AusBiotech members will also have an opportunity to express their interest in attending to add their direct experience to Australia’s commercialisation and development agenda. Sector members wishing to attend can submit their interest here ➡ https://lnkd.in/gwdr8-N6 Read Biotech Dispatch for more information ➡ https://lnkd.in/ghybtmYX Rebekah Cassidy GAICD Rosanne Hyland Karyn McIntosh Stuart Dignam James Campbell Erica Bremner Kneipp

PharmAust says EMA pre-submission meeting paves the way for orphan designation request (BiotechDispatch 17.09.2024): PharmAust (ASX:PAA) says it has completed a pre-submission meeting with the European Medicines Agency and the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products and has submitted a request for orphan designation for monepantel for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The company said a decision is expected in December 2024. It said the request was made following the pre-submission meeting held in August 2024. Michael Thurn https://lnkd.in/ggcCCpFR

Immune cell could become ‘off-the-shelf’ rapid tissue, muscle and bone healing therapy (BiotechDispatch 17.09.2024): Monash University researchers have discovered a blood cell that, when introduced to a bone, muscle, or skin injury, has the potential to promote rapid healing. Monash said these cells could be genetically dissimilar to the recipient, opening up the way for donated blood to be used as a universal cell-based regenerative medicine therapy. https://lnkd.in/gA_wCvkX

Immutep says its candidate in combination delivered positive efficacy and safety profile (BiotechDispatch 17.09.2024): Immutep Limited (ASX:IMM) has announced positive efficacy and safety results from the TACTI-003 Phase 2b trial evaluating its eftilagimod alpha in combination with MSD’s KEYTRUDA. The results were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress by Dr Claus Kristensen. https://lnkd.in/gwMnExUD.

📢 Remembering biotech trailblazer Leon Serry AM As the father of Australian biotech, Leon Serry AM is remembered for his pioneering work as an investor and philanthropist founding Cicardian (now Opthea Ltd), establishing the foundation of Australia’s biotech investment industry. Leon Serry was the founder and managing director of Circadian, the first ASX-listed biotech company, where he made an outstanding contribution to the Australian biotechnology industry and academic and commercial sectors. Leon pioneered the development of a vibrant Australian biotechnology industry based on innovative technology transfer from the Australian medical research community throughout the last 20 years, overcoming significant scepticism and numerous funding crises. Listing Circadian on the ASX in 1985, Leon Serry was notable investor, philanthropist, and company founder in Australia’s biotech sector, founding spin-out companies including Axon, Antisense (now Percheron Therapeutics Limited), Metabolic (now PolyNovo Limited) and Optiscan Imaging Ltd Ltd. He supported a number of other early-stage Australian biotechs, helping companies attract further funding from High-Net-Worths and investors after providing backing as an angle investor. He is also recognised for his contribution as a mentor and education the next generation of biotech leaders. AusBiotech extends its condolences to Leon Serry’s family, friends, and close colleagues, and acknowledges the long-lasting impact Leon will have on Australia’s biotech industry. Read more about Leon Serry here: https://lnkd.in/gVpni6F8

Why invest in biotech? With the Australian life sciences ecosystem worth more than $8 billion in annual revenue and projected to grow at 3 per cent annually from 2021-2026, now is the time to take a deeper look at biotech. Join us at AusBioInvest 2024 on 29 October to hear more on: 🧬 Thriving investment opportunities: The global biotechnology market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.96% from 2024 to 2030 to a US$3.88 trillion market, driven by strong clinical pipelines and innovative technologies, as well as a rising demand from population needs. 📈 Improving investor sentiment: The industry is enjoying more investor interest and innovation continues to thrive, while companies have worked hard to restructure during the bear market, emerging in stronger shape than before. The sector globally is coming out of headwinds to a more favourable funding environment, showing signs of continued evolution with a backlog of private biotech companies awaiting the right timing to go public. 💵 Attractive valuations and returns: The SME biotech sector trades on an enterprise value/cash ratio (EV/cash) of approximately 2x, compared to most of the last two decades when the sector has traded on an EV/cash ratio of 3.0-3.5x. Historically, the ASX healthcare sector has also delivered strong performance for investors. The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care index outperformed the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index in seven of the past 10 years, delivering a CAGR of 11.9% compared to 8.1%. 🏛️ Solid government support: The Federal Government actively supports the biotech sector through programmes like the $22 billion Medical Research Future Fund (#MRFF), R&D Tax Incentive #RDTI, Industry Growth Program, and $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund (#NRF), while state governments also play a crucial role in supporting their state’s life science sector. 🤝 Increasing licensing and M&A activity: With several products soon to come off patent, increased competition from generic manufacturers, and gaps in product pipelines, there’s been an uptick in licensing and M&A activity in the biotech sector, as large pharmaceutical companies look to secure new products externally. 🌱 Socially-responsible investment: Investing in biotech companies can help in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (#SDGs), by financing the innovators and advancers of science and technology to deliver potentially life-changing and life-saving biomedical solutions that have global significance and benefit for humankind. #INVESTORS: register here for a complimentary pass to join us at AusBioInvest 2024 in Melbourne on 29 October, and explore the reasons why biotech is a compelling sector and learn more about what Australia has to offer: https://lnkd.in/g7bJ5ZTc #AusBioInv

AusBiotech was pleased to attend last Friday’s launch of the Australian Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Medical Innovation (ACAMI) at La Trobe University. #ACAMI is a collaborative research, workforce development and clinical trials centre operating at the intersection of artificial intelligence and medical innovation. Partnering with mRNA Victoria, ACAMI will play a key role in developing an AI-enabled medical ecosystem in Victoria, ensuring the state's world-leading medical innovation keeps pace with global standards as #AI capability grows. The AI workforce has grown extensively – from 800 people five years ago, to around 33,000 currently, with an anticipated 500,000 in 2030. The application of AI techniques to #mRNA therapy development will enable faster design of more precise and effective treatments that meet unmet medical needs and improve health outcomes. ACAMI sits within La Trobe’s Research and Innovation Precinct, and complements the forthcoming mRNA facility to be established at La Trobe’s Melbourne campus with BioNTech. Find out more about La Trobe’s strategic focus on AI-enabled bio-innovation during the #AusBio2024 National Conference panel session ‘Innovation in medical AI’ with Professor Wei Xiang, Chief Scientist & Director, ACAMI, on Thursday 31 October in Melbourne. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gwbCBQgr

Thank you to our members who joined us for last Thursday’s #VICBioCheers at the new Bio Innovation Hub at La Trobe University ✨ Hosted by La Trobe and supported by our Victoria State Branch Committee, members were invited to tour the new state-of-the-art #BioInnovationHub, offering world-class wet lab facilities to early-stage companies looking to commercialise their research. The event was topped off with discussion on the important role universities play in nurturing research and incubating next-generation biomedical solutions, and valuable networking. A big thanks to our host partner La Trobe for their outstanding support and making this BioCheers possible. AusBiotech’s #BioCheers events bring professionals from across Australia’s life science ecosystem together, providing a forum for individuals to connect to network and have meaningful conversations. 📆 SAVE THE DATE for the AusBiotech, BioMelbourne Network, and ARCS Australia End-of-Year Function in Melbourne on Wednesday 11 December.

Victorians gain access to precision cancer therapies following landmark donation (BiotechDispatch 12.09.2024): Thanks to a $10 million donation, Cabrini Health, in partnership with Monash University, is aiming to transform cancer care for Victorians. The donation will establish a genomic testing program at Cabrini, which will provide personalised, precision treatment for up to 2,000 patients annually. https://lnkd.in/giYMkskR