AusBiotech 2014 kicks off on Wednesday

The AusBiotech national conference will this week bring together the entire biotechnology ‘ecosystem’ to share ideas and progress their biotechnology development work. From 29-31 October, the event will attract over 1000 delegates to the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre to discuss the theme ‘Life Sciences = Future. Jobs. Exports.’

The conference will focus on the developments in biotechnology and the life sciences industry that will significantly boost Australia’s economic performance and build our nation. This is particularly important as Australia’s window of mining-driven prosperity begins to close and car manufacturing phases out.

“We live in a time where technological innovation, knowledge and networking are the drivers of our productivity,” said AusBiotech CEO Dr Anna Lavelle. “Technology based on the life sciences is an area where Australia has great expertise that could and should be leveraged to our economy’s advantage.”

AusBiotech 2014 will feature distinguished presenters from overseas and Australia. Plenary sessions are as follows:

• The Millis Oration on ‘The connection between medical research and business’ will be delivered by Professor Frank Gannon, Director and CEO, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.
• Dr Sue Dillon, Global Therapeutic Area Head for Immunology, Janssen, will present ‘Accessing innovation around the world’. This will be followed by a Johnson & Johnson panel session.
• Professor Ian Edvalson, Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, will discuss ‘The challenges for pharma and biotech in emerging markets - Focus on China and India’.
• Professor Yongzhang Luo, Founder and Chief Scientist, Protgen, will deliver ‘The use and future development of biomarkers’.
• Rhenu Bhuller, Senior Vice President, Healthcare, Frost & Sullivan, will present on ‘Bench marking Biotech: Initiatives for the development of the biotechnology sector in Asia Pacific and their impact’.

The conference will also feature the following events:

• The two-day Agriculture and Food Biotechnology Symposium on 30-31 October will unite local and global food technology experts to discuss how Australia can secure its future as a niche provider of technology, services and products.
• AusBiotech and Griffith University invite conference delegates to tour either the Griffith Health Centre or the Institute for Glycomics - two of Australia’s most innovative health and life science research and teaching centres - on the morning of 29 October. Delegates on the tour will also hear from Noel Chambers, CEO, National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation on ‘Philanthropy advancing medical innovations’.
• A panel of experts will address the topic ‘Perspectives on dementia and Alzheimer’s and biotechnology’s role in treatments and prevention’ in a free public forum to be held on the morning of 31 October. The forum will be chaired by a pioneer researcher into Alzheimer’s disease, Professor Ralph Martins AO, Director of the Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease Research & Care at Edith Cowan University.
• The conference’s Business Matching Program will facilitate hundreds of meetings between participants from the biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, life sciences, business, investment, research and health sectors.

The full program can be viewed at http://ausbiotechnc.org/program14/program. To register, visit http://ausbiotechnc.org/registration