‘Australia Open for Business’ at Biotech Showcase in San Francisco
12 January 2023
Pictured, from left, Stuart Dignam, MTPConnect CEO; Linda Pullen, Pullen Consulting; Professor Sze-Wee Tan, Assistant Chief Executive, Innovation & Enterprise Group, Agency for Science & Technology Research (A*STAR); Art Pappas, Managing Partner, Pappas Capital; and Zili Li, Vice-President, Head of Asia Pacific Division, Janssen Research & Development LLC – panellists for “Innovation in the Asia Pacific Region: Great Science, Great Research, Great Possibilities” at Biotech Showcase 2023.
At the Biotech Showcase in San Francisco this week, MTPConnect CEO Stuart Dignam promoted Australia’s great research and medical product potential with colleagues from across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Biotech Showcase is an investor conference for innovators, held in parallel with the J.P. Morgan Health Conference.
Mr Dignam was part of the panel session, ‘Innovation in the Asia Pacific Region: Great Science, Great Research, Great Possibilities’. He was joined by Art Pappas, Managing Partner, Pappas Capital; Zili Li, Vice-President, Head of Asia Pacific Division, Janssen Research & Development LLC; Jung Tae Park, Vice Chairman, Korea Biomedicine Industry Association; and Professor Sze-Wee Tan, Assistant Chief Executive, Innovation & Enterprise Group, Agency for Science & Technology Research (A*STAR).
Moderated by Linda Pullen from Pullen Consulting in the US, the panel discussed how the region is rapidly intensifying life sciences R&D activity across multiple hubs – Australia, China, Japan, Korea, and Singapore, as well as collaboration, investment opportunities, and translation and commercialisation of innovative medical products in Australia and the APAC region.
Pictured, fourth from left, MTP Connect CEO Stuart Dignam speaking on the 'Innovation in the Asia Pacific Region: Great Science, Great Research, Great Possibilities' panel. Also pictured, from left, Linda Pullen, Art Pappas, Professor Sze-Wee Tan and Zili Li.
Investors and biotech R&D companies need to include Australia and APAC
MTPConnect CEO Stuart Dignam said with more than half the world’s population in the Asia Pacific Region, and as the world’s third largest pharmaceutical market, it is important for investors and biotech R&D companies globally to include Australia and APAC in their strategic portfolios.
“As part of the Asia Pacific, Australia has a vibrant MTP sector with a diverse range of participants, each playing a central role in the sector’s continued growth and success.
“The sophistication and scale of our research environment, robust and rapid regulatory frameworks and strong ties to key markets in Asia all make Australia an attractive place for investment.
“And then there’s the Research and Development Tax Incentive program which is a key incentive for attracting companies to undertake R&D in Australia.
Forthcoming National Reconstruction Fund well noted by investment community
“The forthcoming establishment of the National Reconstruction Fund, with billions earmarked for medical science and advanced manufacturing, was also well noted by the investment community here in San Francisco.
“It is important to get these positive messages that Australia is open for business out to MTP sector investors and potential investors from around the world, gathered at the J.P. Morgan conference and Biotech Showcase, as our MTP sector continues to grow and innovate," Mr Dignam said.
Pictured, the Australian Clinical Trials Showcase Breakfast supported by MTPConnect had a strong attendance from US and international companies.
MTPConnect was also pleased to support the Australian Clinical Trials Showcase Breakfast. With strong attendance from US and international companies, the event was aimed at debunking myths and misunderstandings about clinical and non-clinical trials in Australia.
A panel featuring Kylie Sproston from Bellberry, Tina Soulis from Alithia Life Sciences, Dr Kurt Sales and Holly Stefl from Agilex Biolabs, Lisa Nelson from Scientia Clinical Research, Dr Alfred Botchway from Attentive Science and Stewart Walker from Acclime reinforced why Australia is now a go-to destination for international companies to conduct clinical trials.
The event was also supported by Global Victoria, with Victoria’s Commissioner for the Americas Nigel Warren making opening remarks, the governments of South Australia and NSW, and Austrade.