AusBiotech

Congratulations to all the Prime Minister’s Prize of Science 2024 winners, announced this week. Alongside Australians, AusBiotech is proud of our homegrown pioneering scientists and innovators, who are shaping the future of healthcare and biotechnology. A special congratulations to Dr. Chris Burns, CEO and MD of Amplia Therapeutics Limited, and Professor Andrew Wilks, who were awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation in recognition of their outstanding contribution to drug discovery and development in Australia, specifically the invention of a treatment to help treat myelofibrosis. The drug was discovered when the pair worked at Melbourne-based biotechnology company Cytopia. Amplia Therapeutics Limited CEO and MD, Dr Chris Burns, commented: “I am extremely honoured to be the co-recipient of the 2024 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation. Australia does a lot of fantastic early-stage research. What we’ve done in the discovery and development of momelotinib shows that incredible research can be translated here in Australia.” Read more from Amplia, an AusBiotech member https://lnkd.in/gQZfEbfU

📢 AusBiotech is delighted to announce that The Hon. Mark Butler MP, Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, will join our industry members, international delegates, and investors during Australia’s biggest week in biotechnology. Like our thriving #lifesciences sector, our four-day pre-eminent AusBiotech Conference grows year on year. From Tuesday, 29 October, we will welcome more than 1,500 participants, including 200 international delegates from 25 countries. Minister Butler’s decision to speak at AusBiotech 2024 underscores the importance of Australia’s medical innovators and the life sciences sector more broadly at the national level. AusBiotech CEO Rebekah Cassidy GAICD said the organisation was honoured to have Minister Butler join the Conference this year, noting that there has never been a more important time for health innovation to be at the forefront of national discussions. “Globally, the combined pressures of pandemics, stressed supply chains, chronic disease, aging populations, climate change, health inequities, and geopolitical tensions – along with the rapid pace of innovation – has elevated health innovation topics. “Now is the time for deep conversations regarding our sector’s role in our nation’s future and as part of Australia’s modernised economy." Our industry-led programme has more than 200 speakers across 60 sessions designed by and for our members. Read the full programme here https://lnkd.in/eBB_WT3 #AusBio2024 #biotechnology #thrivinglifesciences

Connecting members is what we do. Last night’s #BioCheers Queensland event, hosted in partnership with Translational Research Institute Australia, did exactly that. We had the pleasure of hearing from Professor Scott Bell, CEO of Translational Research Institute Australia, alongside David Crowley, General Manager, Translational Manufacturing at Translational Research Institute Australia, who shared with members how #TRI is proud to be a catalyst for Queensland’s medical research and a leading hub for translational research, novel innovation, commercialisation, and scale-up manufacturing. Along with researchers and clinicians, #TRI houses biomedical companies in the early stages of research and product development of medical interventions or technologies. Knowledge sharing remains a top focus when we bring our members together. So, thanks to the Translational Research Institute Australia team for keeping Queensland’s thriving biotechnology community alive and connected. A special thank you to Chris Davis, General Manager of Griffith University Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, who we also celebrated as the Chair of our Queensland State Branch Committee, a role he has held for ten years. It was yet another sold-out event. Keep up to date with #AusBiotech events on our website https://lnkd.in/gzVnn6Bx. Rosanne Hyland Tamlyn O'Connor Glenda Colburn

📢 AusBiotech Joins AMMA AusBiotech has joined the Australian Medtech Manufacturing Alliance (AMMA), a new initiative aimed at fast-tracking growth opportunities for medtech innovators and manufacturers. The Alliance builds on the work of the Australian Medtech Manufacturing Centre, a Victorian Government initiative focused on expanding medtech manufacturing in Victoria, creating more jobs, investment, and innovation.   Rebekah Cassidy, CEO of AusBiotech, said joining forces with BioMelbourne, Network MTPConnect, AMTIL Australian Manufacturing Technology Inst. Ltd and the Industry Capability Network - Victoria will create a connected program driving the sector forward. “There’s an increasing need to build a unified voice for our medtech innovators and manufacturers. They are key players in the growth of Australia’s life science sector. This Victorian pilot, with seed funding from the Victorian Government, will showcase the potential of a coordinated Alliance and set the stage for a national agenda." “For our start-ups and SMEs to thrive, we must understand and address domestic barriers. We need to unlock pathways, and procurement and supply chain environments are often the keys to growth. Sovereignty in manufacturing capabilities is also vital for Australia, and we know medtech plays an important role in that," said Rebekah Cassidy.

📢 Programme Launch AusBioInvest2024 Another exciting part of @AusBiotech’s Biggest Week in Biotech, AusBioInvest 2024, is your gateway to exploring Australia’s dynamic and thriving biotech landscape. From the opening keynote by Dr Eric Shiozaki, who will highlight emerging applications of technology in biotech, from an investor’s perspective, together with two must-attend panels. Our dynamic day-long event will happen alongside over 20 investee pitches from pioneering biotech companies, offering a first-hand look at potential investment opportunities. Spaces are limited make sure you secure your spot now. View the full programme at https://lnkd.in/gmEpZrgk Register as a delegate or investee at https://lnkd.in/g2DWJfVq #AusBiotech #AusBioInv24 AusBioInvest 2024 is proudly supported by Global Victoria Invest Victoria Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions ASX

Percheron Therapeutics Limited updates on Avicursen primate toxicology study (BiotechDispatch 1.10.2024): Percheron Therapeutics Limited (ASX:PER) has announced the completion of a nine-month toxicology study in non-human primates for its lead program, avicursen. “We are very pleased to have this important piece of work completed on schedule,” said Percheron CEO Dr James Garner. “The results seem to us, and to our consultants and advisors, to be consistent with earlier observations, which we expect to have positive implications for the future development of avicursen. Given the impending availability of clinical data from the phase IIb clinical trial of avicursen in December 2024, we will likely target our regulatory discussions with the FDA for early CY2025, so as to present the agency with the strongest possible package of data.” https://lnkd.in/ei7JUR2T

PolyNovo Limited announces the retirement of long-term non-executive director (BiotechDispatch 1.10.2024): PolyNovo (ASX:PNV) has announced that Bruce Rathie has retired as a non-executive director. Mr Rathie has been a director of the company since 2010. The company said Mr Rathie has supported its development from initial research and development to product commercialisation, public listing, and subsequent global expansion. PolyNovo chairman David Williams said, “Bruce has been the one constant on the PolyNovo Board. He has been there from the start and the rest of us are standing on his shoulders. After 14 years Bruce has selflessly decided to stand aside to make way for new blood and concentrate on his other Board roles. He will be missed but I am confident he will still be available for his sage advice." https://lnkd.in/eKwrvjHv

Mesoblast Limited option to issue up to US$50 million convertible notes for product launch. (BiotechDispatch 1.10.2024): Cell therapy company Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) has entered into a convertible note subscription agreement with its largest shareholder, Gregory George, to issue up to US$50 million convertible notes at its discretion. Mesoblast chief executive Silviu Itescu said: “We appreciate the ongoing support from our major shareholder in ensuring that the Company is well capitalised for commercial product launch and can hit the ground running immediately following approval of RYONCIL by FDA.” Mesoblast said its go-to-market strategy includes hiring senior executives, market access, medical education, and ongoing engagement with key opinion leaders. https://lnkd.in/eT6S7pNx

📢 AusBiotech is thrilled to welcome 17 new members who have joined our thriving life sciences community between July and September. AusBiotech has always been for its members. Built by our members, to be the national voice of our sector we are proud to support our member's growth and leverage our national convening power to shape policy, foster knowledge sharing, and collaborate to advance life sciences in our country. Together, we work to help our members thrive. We’re delighted to announce new AusBiotech members including: Agriculture Victoria Services Pty Ltd, Atticus Medical, BlinkLab Limited, CAD-IT Australia Pty Ltd, Cambium Bio, Douglas Pharmaceuticals, Evaluate Consulting, Evithé Biotechnology, EZZ Life Science Holdings ASX:EZZ, Global Pharma Solutions, JAG Process Solutions PTY LTD, Kurraba Group, Lachesis Biosciences, Nova Eye Medical, PureCDM, Syngene International Limited, VVMF - Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility. Our warmest welcome to our 17 new members. We're so pleased you have joined AusBiotech and our community of more than 3000 life sciences leaders. We can't wait to work with you and your teams. Find out more about AusBiotech's new members at https://lnkd.in/eFTy-Qjr #AusBiotech #LifeScience

Thank you to everyone who attended our AusBiotech and ASX BioBriefing and BioCheers in Sydney yesterday evening. A rainy afternoon wasn’t enough to deter the hundreds of people who came along to connect and hear Giri Tenneti, David Allen, Hashan De Silva, CFA, Melissa Benson, Luke Reid, James Gerraty share their key considerations, top tips, and lived experiences of Australian #biotech and #medtech moving through the listing journey.   Our popular #BioBriefing and #BioCheers events are all about creating connections, sharing knowledge, and helping our members to thrive within Australia’s growing biotech and medtech ecosystem. We’re grateful to the ASX for partnering with us deliver such an important event. We hope to do it again soon! Robyn Lindner, Rebekah Cassidy GAICD, Rosanne Hyland, Karyn McIntosh, Lis Boyce, Leah Goodman, Anita van der Meer