Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Experienced Life Science Executive with a demonstrated history of continuous work in the biotechnology industry since 1988. Skilled in Medicinal Chemistry, Combinatorial Chemistry, Oncology, Life Science Patents, Biotechnology, Gene Therapy, In-and-Out-Licensing, Business Development and Start-ups. Strong and broad knowledge of biotechnology core business. Inventor on 8 patent families and author on 73 publications and invited chapters. Experience in Australia, USA, Japan and Switzerland. Chiron Corporation, Mimotopes, CSL Limited. PhD in Organic & Medicinal Chemistry, 1990, University of Melbourne. Grad Cert Management, 1998, Monash Mount Eliza Business School, Australia.
I am delighted to have joined QIMR Berghofer, where I am assisting in a World-leading clinical phase T-cell therapy program, invented and developed by Professor Rajiv Khanna AO and his team. This program is underpinned by a long term collaboration with US-based & NASDAQ-listed Atara Biotherapeutics and QIMR Berghofer's clinical phase cell manufacturing facility Q-Gen. I am also assisting with World-class human malaria challenge models developed by Professor James McCarthy and supported by MMV and multiple international collaborators.
Broadvector refocused completely on the Phase 2 ready minimally invasive GDEPT approach to repairing failing orthopaedic hip and knee implants. The company was renamed Elk OrthoBiologics Limited • Hands on CEO & Director. • Ongoing interaction with Australian investors. • Multiple presentations at international business-focused biotechnology conferences (USA, Japan) • Established relationships with US life science banks • Via a NY-based life science bank, attracted a major US fund to undertake extensive due diligence on Elk OrthoBiologics with the view to a substantial investment for Phase 2. • Attracted two international pharmaceutical companies to undertake extensive due diligence on the Company • Commenced a program to promote the Company in Japan, where cell & gene therapies are currently hot. Subsequently decided to move on into cell therapy field, a 21st century medicine.
Broadvector was an Australian biotechnology company that had acquired and was developing minimally invasive gene directed enzyme prodrug therapies as alternatives to major surgery. Target conditions: hip implant failure due to aseptic loosening; early stage prostate cancer. Phase 2 ready & Phase 1 ready. • Negotiation to acquire intellectual property by assignment from European companies. • Hands on patent management with patents granted in USA, EU, Japan, China & India. • Promotion of Company in international meetings and conferences. • Established international biotechnology collaborations. • ASX IPO attempt in 2010. • Successful mezzanine fundraising rounds in Australia.
• Sourced and reviewed ~80 preclinical and Phase I small molecule and biologic drug programs with the view to in-licensing or acquisition by boutique Australian investors. • These programs were sourced from Europe, Asia, USA and Australia. • Guided due diligence (IP and commercial) on selected programs. Involved in in-licensing and ultimately acquiring IP from CSIRO • Negotiated deal terms, identified and managed CROs and dealt with Australian regulator (TGA). • Interactions with major Australian hospitals. • Secured TGA (CTX) approval for a Phase 1 human clinical trial.