SUCCESS 30 STORIES Prof Ian Frazer 5 Cervical Cancer Vaccine Developed by Prof Ian Frazer, the University of Queensland and CSL, the cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil is Australia’s answer to the second most common cancer in women globally, saving the lives of Professor Nancy Millis photographed with 250,000 people each year Professor John Shine at the AusBiotech across 120 countries. 25 Year Gala Dinner event in 2011 3 Emeritus Professor Nancy Millis (1992-2012) Research in microbial 1 physiology, fermentation CSL technology and waste Over the last 100 years, management led Prof Millis CSL, Australia’s largest biotech to become one of Australia’s company, has grown into a leading scientists and a global biotherapeutics leader key policy-maker in gene delivering innovative therapies technology. Prof Graeme Clark, inventor of the multichannel cochlear implant to patients all around the world. 6 With a unique combination Cochlear’s bionic ear of R&D focus, operational 4 Over 350,000 people, living in excellence and commercial R&D Tax Incentive more than 100 countries across strength, CSL is well-positioned The R&D Tax Incentive, the globe, now hear thanks to continue its leadership. encouraging companies from to Cochlear’s development of around the world to bring their hearing systems. Producing R&D to Australia, is the most hearing systems for cochlear, 2 critical centre-piece program bone conduction and acoustic The biggest deal in biotech in the translation of Australia’s implants, Cochlear is a global Spinifex Pharmaceuticals, world-class research into leader in implantable hearing pioneers of chronic pain treatments, cures, diagnostics, solutions, achieved through treatment, was purchased in devices and vaccines. the dedication of founder 2015 for up to AU$1 billion in one and CEO Dr Michael Hirshorn of the most successful venture (1950-2011) and longstanding capital exits in Australian history. CEO Dr Chris Roberts. 4 7 Hatchtech Hatchtech is a leader in translating Australian research from the university to market. This includes a large license deal worth up to $279 million based 13 Industrialising biology: on research from the University Cell Therapies is developing advanced Admedus Ltd of Melbourne in 2015, saving manufacturing techniques for patient Admedus is a world leader specific cellular therapies the lives of millions of sheep 10 in regenerative medicine, each year and developing a new Cell Therapies engineering bio-scaffolds for generation of head lice treatment. Cell Therapies, a subsidiary soft tissue repairs, including a of the Peter MacCallum cardiac patch to reconstruct Cancer Centre, is transforming heart defects. 8 healthcare. Their work includes Minomic breakthrough human cellular International Ltd therapies, combatting cancers, 14 Minomic’s commitment to and providing essential Leon Serry immuno-oncology made infrastructure to deliver The respected ‘father of Micheck® possible. This novel advanced manufacturing Australian biotechnology’, prostate cancer diagnostic test products across Asia. Leon Serry, founder and paves the way for early stage former managing director of cancer detection and will be Circadian, used innovative launched globally next year. 11 technology transfer to pioneer Cancer Therapeutics CRC the development of a vibrant In the wake of developing a Australian biotechnology industry. promising new cancer treatment and at the centre of a $730 million deal in 2016, the Cancer 15 Therapeutics CRC is a great Cook Medical result for Australian science and The only company in the demonstrates how much united world to make custom aortic science and commercialisation stents to save the lives of capabilities can achieve. heart attack patients worldwide, 9 Cook Medical Australia Bionomics and manufactures and distributes Dr Deborah Rathjen 12 medical products for the Under the leadership of Fibrotech Pacific Rim and Southeast Asia, Dr Deborah Rathjen, Established to address unmet which is made possible by a AusBiotech’s longest-serving clinical needs associated with strong link between innovation chair, Bionomics has grown to organ failure, Fibrotech was and manufacturing in Australia. become an international drug acquired by Shire Plc for an discovery and development upfront US$75 million in 2015, company serving unmet needs demonstrating an exceptional in cancer and central nervous R&D strategy and commitment system disorders. to achieving patient outcomes. 5 16 Digital health at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute The Institute’s digital pipeline, now incorporating mobile Dr Tony Radford, Ms Ronnie Wood, Dr Paul Wood, the Victorian Premier, health apps, web-based the Hon Daniel Andrews, Dr Anna Lavelle, CEO AusBiotech and the then Chancellor of Monash University, Dr Alan Finkel, at the IMNIS launch. research and more, contributes 18 to the potential of digital IMNIS Mentoring health as an emerging sector, program leads the way game-changer and bringer of With the pilot program conducted 21 huge benefits for the future. in Victoria by AusBiotech, IMNIS Acrux gives PhD students a better In March 2010, Melbourne- understanding of the commercial based drug-development and industrial world of science, Acrux secured what was technology, engineering and then the biggest licensing mathematics (STEM). arrangement ever entered into by an Australian biotech, worth more than US$550 million. 19 Clinical Genomics The Sydney-based company develops screening diagnostics for the early detection and Dr Tom Caradoc-Davies (left), the Principal prevention of colorectal cancer, Scientist of the Macromolecular and micro crystallography beamlines (MX1 an MX2) supplying the US market and and Dr Peter Czabotar (right), one of the largest labs in the the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute world. Their recent capital raise of Medical Research (WEHI). 17 will provide critical resources to The Synchrotron support the commercialisation of The Australian Synchrotron their patent-pending treatment has played a crucial role in the for colorectal cancer surveillance. discovery of a new cancer drug 22 to treat chronic lymphocytic World-first leukaemia (CLL), underpinning Parkinson’s device the Australian biomedical The Parkinson’s research community’s ability KinetiGraph, from Global to attract major international Co-founders Chris Abbott and Kinetics Corporation, is a the late Dr Geoffrey Grigg pharmaceutical collaborations 20 wristwatch-style device and advance world-class Genetic Signatures enabling the precise disease and drug research. Making its successful IPO monitoring and reporting on the ASX in 2015, Genetic of movement symptoms, Signatures uses molecular potentially benefiting more than tools to screen for a wide array 50,000 Parkinson’s patients. of infectious pathogens and advance its life-saving work. 6 Starpharma’s Vivagel 23 The Hon Peter Beattie Starpharma Man-made, nanoscale dendrimers have improved 29 the efficacy and reduce the Dr Anna Lavelle side effect of cancer treatment Recognised among the in a world-first clinical study, 100 most influential people in developed by one of global life sciences, Dr Anna The Hon John Brumby Australia’s most established 26 Lavelle leads AusBiotech in biotechnology companies. Beattie and Brumby representing a diverse range The Hon Peter Beattie, of interests from virtually every one of biotechnology’s aspect of the biotechnology leading public advocates at value chain. home and overseas, and the Hon John Brumby, a significant contributor to biotechnology, 30 continue to advocate for the AusBiotech future potential of biotechnology As Australia’s largest life and Australian innovation. sciences network, AusBiotech is committed to biotechnology 24 innovation, advocating the Dr Martin Playne 27 industry’s central position Bridging the gap between Adherium to new job growth, increased business, academia and With the Smartinhaler setting productivity and as a government was one of the benchmark for accurate revenue-driver for a thriving Dr Martin Playne’s key aims and objective monitoring of economy of the future. as founder of the Australian compliance and medication Biotechnology Association. in a clinical setting, Adherium AusBiotech has played an is one of Australia’s most recent instrumental role in policy additions to the ASX. development, including the 25 Biomedical Translation Fund, Universal Biosensors the R&D Tax Incentive Leading the ‘point of care’ 28 and the Medical Research revolution, Universal Biosensors The Australian life Future Fund. AusBiotech developed a disposable, sciences industry promotes investment for multi-layer strip to measure Australian biotechnology biotech companies and draws biomarkers in the blood and innovation ranks among the major life sciences conferences now develops, manufactures top five in the world, a significant and experts to Australian shores, and commercialises a range of economic driver for Australia including the 17th International diagnostic tests for consumers and has achieved record capital Biotechnology Symposium and professionals. raising of $1.1 billion in 2015. (IBS) 2016. 7