Australia’s Biggest Week in Life Sciences For Biotechnology Advancement

Australia’s annual “Biggest Week in Biotechnology” is well underway. Following the success of AusBioInvest 2023, Australia’s premier life sciences investment conference held in Melbourne on October 30, the 3-day AusBiotech 2023 kicks off in Brisbane on November 1 as the week’s flagship event. The national conference attracts a record-breaking number of delegates, with over 1,200 registered delegates from 22 different nations attending.

Running for more than 37 years, AusBiotech 2023 features an industry-led programme with more than 170 speakers across 50 sessions developed to inform, educate, celebrate, and inspire the life science community. As Australia’s largest life science conference, AusBiotech 2023 also provides an opportunity for industry professionals from Australia and around the world to connect and develop meaningful connections with the aim of advancing biotech.

Related article: Victoria Offers Grants to Accelerate mRNA-Based Therapeutics Research

Key Highlights of AusBiotech 2023 Conference

Key highlights of AusBiotech 2023 include the keynote speech of Ian Frazer, Emeritus Professor of the University of Queensland and Director of Microba Life Sciences, who will address Australia’s biotechnology landscape, the challenges, opportunities, and solutions to building a successful life sciences ecosystem and bioeconomy. Also, Professor Michelle Haber, Executive Director of Children’s Cancer Institute since 2003, will share her inspiring story on developing novel therapeutic and diagnostic approaches to improve the outcome of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and neuroblastoma. Furthermore, Dr. Sam Costello, CEO and Co-founder of BiomeBank, will deliver a keynote on donor-derived microbiome therapies, after BiomeBank became the first company globally to receive regulatory approval for a donor-derived microbiome therapy.

“AusBiotech 2023 aims to lift the profile of Australia’s biotechnology industry, share new and ground-breaking knowledge, connect companies, and facilitate access to greater funding sources for companies to develop world-class science into therapies, diagnostics and medical devices,” said Lorraine Chiroiu, CEO of AusBiotech. She added, “This year’s record-breaking turn out highlights the growing relevance and importance of the biotechnology industry in Australia.”

Heads of Queensland Government Present to Show Support for Australia’s Biotech Development

The Queensland Government has embraced the opportunity with two ministers in attendance. The Deputy Premier Dr. Steven Miles will join CEO Lorraine Chiroiu to open AusBiotech 2023 and will speak at the conference’s Welcome Reception; while Hon. Cameron Dick MP, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, will speak at the Conference Dinner.

According to Annastacia Palaszczuk, Premier of Queensland, the state’s life sciences sector is booming. “This sector employs over 13,000 people and already injects more than $2.2 billion into the state’s economy annually, with an estimated export value of more than $534 million,” said Premier Palaszczuk. “As the home of cutting-edge medical research like mRNA vaccine development and needle-free vaccine delivery, we’re creating a wealth of opportunities for Queensland’s best and brightest minds. We’re only looking to grow from here with the opportunities from Queensland’s Quantum and Advanced Technology Strategy for medicines, diagnostics and sports tech.”

Deputy Premier Steven Miles pointed out that Queensland is going from strength to strength as the place to work and invest in science. “Queensland is fast becoming a globally competitive research and innovation hub thanks to our government’s investment in state-of-the-art facilities, talent attraction and partnerships,” said Miles. “Importantly, we’re growing high-value industries and jobs of the future for Queenslanders, while driving the development of new healthcare solutions on home soil.”

Other Featured Events of Australia’s Biggest Week in Biotech

Proudly supported by Host State Partner the Queensland Government, AusBiotech 2023 is created by industry, for industry. This year’s programme features a one-day AgriBiotech Summit, the Early-Stage Innovation Forum, a conference dinner, a student session, as well as pre-conference workshops and clinical trials dinner.

Apart from AusBioInvest 2023 and AusBiotech 2023, biotech’s biggest week also includes pre and post-conference trip tours around Queensland’s health and innovations districts, including Boggo Road Innovation Precinct, Sunshine Coast Health Precinct, Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, Herston and Springfield Innovation Precinct, and TropiQ – Townsville.

Author

Richard Chau