Monthly Archives: June 2018

Collaborate + Connect + Commercialise Networking Event – Monday 23 July 5.00-6.30 pm

 

Translating biomedical research: Lessons from Tel Aviv, Boston and our own backyard

Registrations for our up coming networking event are now open.

The Melbourne Biomedical Precinct Office invites you to participate in a conversation about local and global trends in commercialisation and technology transfer across both academia and industry.

When it comes to the translation of biomedical research, Israel and the United States are well recognised as the most commercially savvy markets in the world.

Representatives from Victorian Government offices in Tel-Aviv and Boston will share information about the local and global resources, support and opportunities available to researchers, investors and industry.

They will be joined by speakers from academia and industry who have personally experienced commercial success to create a panel which brings together the best international know-how and local nous in building collaborations between scientists and industry.

When:

Monday 23 July, 5.00 – 6.30 pm

Format:

4.45 pm – Arrival and registration
5.00 pm – Panel Discussion and Q&A

Dr Sky Gross (Tel Aviv) is Victoria’s inaugural Biomedical Director in Israel. In her first visit to Australia, Sky will share key learnings about taking the leap from discovery to market.

Mr Nathan Elia (Boston) is a highly experienced Investment & Trade Director with a strong track record in generating trade and investment opportunities in biotechnology, life sciences, medical R&D and tech.

Professor Aleksandar Subic is the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Development) at Swinburne University of Technology. Aleks is internationally recognised for his research in engineering design and advanced manufacturing, having led numerous global R&D projects in collaboration with industry which have had important translational research outcomes and impact.

Dr Andrew Nash is the Senior Vice President of Research at CSL Limited. He has extensive industry experience in the biotechnology sector, including roles as Director of Biologicals Research, Chief Scientific Officer, and eventually Chief Executive Officer at Zenyth Therapeutics. He was appointed to his current role when Zenyth was acquired by CSL Limited in November 2006, and is now based at the Bio21 Institute where he leads a large global effort focused on the discovery and development of new protein-based medicines to treat serious human disease.

6.00 pm – Networking and refreshments

Location:

Lecture Theatre B
Level 7, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
VCCC Building
305 Grattan St, Melbourne, 3000

RSVP:

Click here to RSVP at Eventbrite.

If your organisation is interested in partnering with the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct in support of these events please contact the office here

 

News from the Executive Chair – June 2018

With release of our Strategic Plan in April, the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct Office has been focused on developing an implementation plan with Precinct Partners.
In particular we have seen a lot of activity around our strategic directions 1, 2 and 3 which focus on commercialisation, digital health, and talent attraction and retention.

New Precinct Partners

Since establishing the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct Office last year, we’ve been delighted with the response and interest in our work, as well as the  many groups who have come to us actively wanting to be involved. The Precinct Leadership Group discussed this recently and as a result we are welcoming a number of new organisations to our already strong stable of biomedical partners.

The addition of these new partners further showcases the breadth and depth of the Precinct’s work and complements our existing relationships. We believe it is clear further evidence of the strong contribution the Precinct makes to Victoria’s reputation and success.

It’s important to note that new partners must satisfy a number of key principles, including that they are active in the areas of biomedical research, product development, healthcare delivery, tertiary education, or biomedical advocacy. In addition they must have a strong brand and be active in the Precinct – though not necessarily headquartered here.

The membership of the Precinct Leadership Group will remain unchanged.

Meet our new partners here.


New Biomedical Director appointed to Tel Aviv

As the next important step in building international industry collaborations, Dr Sky Gross has been appointed inaugural Biomedical Director of the Victorian Government’s new trade and investment office in Tel Aviv.

The office opened in late 2017 and with Israel’s reputation as a leader in translation and commercialisation, this is an incredible opportunity for the Precinct. It will help open doors to Israel-Victorian biomedical research partnerships and related commercial opportunities, as well build and strengthen our knowledge and skills. This is all consistent with a key direction of our Strategic Plan and provides a wonderful marketing opportunity for the Precinct and its work.

Dr Gross will work closely with our office and also visit Melbourne in coming months to meet with Precinct Partners. Her career has been built on strong collaborations  in health and social sciences, more recently reporting directly to Israel’s Chief Scientist focusing on research funding, policy and priorities.

A corresponding liaison officer will also be based in the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct Office. Scott Edwards has been appointed to the role of Principal Adviser, International. With an initial focus on Israel, Scott will seek to grow the international recognition of the Precinct, and foster new research collaborations and industry partnerships.

Read more about Dr Sky Gross  and Scott Edwards here.


Connecting Care in Parkville – Electronic Medical Records

The Connecting Care Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Project is now well underway, following the Victorian Government’s budget announcement of $124 million to fund a fully-integrated EMR for the Precinct.

EMR was a key recommendation in our Strategic Plan and essential to patient quality and safety, as well as to research across the Precinct.

Jackie McCleod has been appointed as Executive Director of the project team and with her experience in leading EMR projects at Austin Health and the Royal Children’s Hospital, is well placed to lead this project to its go-live date of 2020.

The project team has representation across  the key health services, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Royal Women’s Hospital and Melbourne Health, as well as the Royal Children’s Hospital.

For those interested in working on the project, roles will be advertised via Seek and the recruitment sites for the hospitals listed above.


Advisory Groups

At our last Precinct Leadership Group meeting, it was agreed to establish a Precinct People and Culture Advisory Group. We know that people are at the heart of the Precinct’s success, so it’s critical that we continue to work together in the important areas of attraction, development and retention of staff. We will be meeting with Precinct Partners in coming months to establish this group and agree an approach..


New early learning centre opens at WEHI

This week the Victorian Minister for Early Childhood Education the Hon. Jenny Mikakos officially opened the new Professor Lynn Corcoran Early Learning Centre at Melbourne’s Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI).

Named after Professor Lynn Corcoran, a senior scientist at WEHI and advocate for gender equity, the new centre is a clear show of support for female scientists in the Precinct. Access to quality childcare was seen as a major barrier for women continuing their careers in medical research, so this is an important step forward to enable a balance between family and work life.

The $9.9 million, 100 place centre will cater for children aged three months to six years and has been funded through a mix of philanthropic, government and institute support.

Read more about the Professor Lynn Corcoran Early Learning Centre here


CSL seeking 2019 fellowship applicants

CSL is inviting Australian biomedical researchers to apply for one of two of the company’s Centenary Fellowships worth $1.25 million over five years.

Applications opened this week for outstanding mid-career scientists seeking to undertake work-class medical research at an Australian academic institute.

The fellowships aim to boost the medical research community by supporting the development of Australian science.

Learn more about CSL’s Centenary Fellowships here.

 


Did you know?

If you’ve noticed a lot of happy student faces in the Precinct, you shouldn’t be surprised – Melbourne has been voted the best student city in Australia and third in the world, according to  the QS Best Student Cities 2018 ranking.  This is no small feat and to say the least we are in good company, just behind London and Tokyo at number 1 and 2 respectively.


Stay informed

The Melbourne Biomedical Precinct Office was established by the Victorian Government to drive economic development in the Precinct and strengthen its position as a world leader in biomedical research, development and innovation.

Do you know someone who would like to know more about our work and stay informed? Please direct them to this website or sign up here


 

New Biomedical Director appointed to Tel Aviv

Dr Sky Gross has been appointed as Biomedical Director

The Melbourne Biomedical Precinct will have increased opportunities to build valuable relationships with Israel with the appointment of Dr Sky Gross to the Victorian Government’s new Trade and Investment Office in Tel Aviv.

In her role as the new Biomedical Director, Dr Gross will focus on translating Victoria’s world-class medical research into commercial opportunities, creating jobs and growth and increasing the collaboration with Israel.

The Trade and Investment Office opened in late 2017 and is the only Australian state government office of its type in Tel Aviv. Professor Gareth Goodier, Executive Chair, Melbourne Biomedical Precinct Office said the appointment of a Biomedical Director in Israel was an unprecedented opportunity for the Precinct.

“Israel is the recognised leader in translation and commercialisation and this will not only help open doors to biomedical research partnerships and related commercial opportunities, but also build and strengthen our knowledge and skills,” he said.

“This is a chance to learn from and work with the best. Dr Gross knows the people, the businesses and the approach that will make a difference to our discoveries – taking them that step further through clinical application and commercialisation to add even more impact to patient care and the Victorian economy.”

Dr Gross’s  background is in research and professional roles in health and social sciences, particularly in medical sociology and anthropology.

The Melbourne Biomedical Precinct Office will work actively with Dr Gross and the team in Israel to market and showcase Victorian discoveries to this very lucrative market. The appointment  is a joint initiative between Victoria and the Israel-Australia Chamber of Commerce. Paul Israel, Executive Director of the Chamber, recognised the importance of the partnership.

“The Chamber is most excited by the appointment of Dr Gross, the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct is the jewel in the crown of the emerging Australian innovation eco-system and the opportunity to combine efforts with Israel will create a powerful partnership that will only strengthen and enhance both economies, ” he said.

 

Media contact: Julie Browning 0419 003 063