San Francisco Bay Area
Aperture is developing ultrasensitive rapid sensing, diagnostic and remediation platform technologies for the environmental, defence and medical sectors to detect harmful chemical/biological substances in the environment and/or human body using novel nanomaterials-based architectures and a proprietary photoacoustic transduction system.
Capsular is an Australian biotech company which has developed a unique vaccine delivery platform by encapsulating the antigen in an injectable controlled-release biopolymer formulation. A combined feature of quick and slow degrading biopolymer delivery systems provide the primary and booster doses turning multiple-shot injections into a single-shot injection regime. This single-dose approach offers the same immunological protection by enhancing both the potency and the immune-accessibility of the antigen. Capsular has completed three national and international live-animal trials to validate three single-injection vaccine candidates, each addressing a significant unmet need. • Cattle anti-tick vaccine (Bm86) – proof-of-concept (POC) data with efficacy demonstrated in Nov 2019 (in collaboration with the University of Queensland (UQ) and MLA); • Swine pneumonia vaccine (APP) – safety and protection trials completed trial in Apr 2020 (in collaboration with Rivalea Australia and Ace laboratories); • Swine foot and mouth disease vaccine (FMDV) – completed the animal safety and efficacy trial, commenced efficacy trial Feb 2020 (in collaboration with Merial France, a subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim) o Led and managed relationships with partners/vendors, customers and potential technology licensees (such as Virbac, Merck and Boehringer Ingelheim); o Maintained close contact with the contract research team at universities and research organizations; o Led, developed and won an Accelerating Commercialisation grant awarded by the Australian Federal Government.
Swinburne University of Technology has developed a university-wide “Innovation Precinct” that integrates virtually its key “innovation assets” across the university from a wide range of disciplines to form a unique outcomes-oriented entrepreneurial and commercially oriented environment for students and staff that is supported by a coherent and consistent approach to industry research engagement, business development and commercialization. o Identified relevant IP across Swinburne and provided the commercialisation strategies to realized these IPs. o Launched Swinburne offshore Industry Embedded PhD program in Silicon Valley within two months on the job. o Established partnerships with key US and Canada industry partners such as Tesla, Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL), Capgemeni, Planet Labs, Austrade (SF), Austrade (Toronto), Victrade(SF), Victrade (Boston), CSIRO-US/Global, MaRS Discovery District, University of Toronto, Northeastern University and San Francisco State University. o Promoted Entrepreneurship within Swinburne • Provided mentoring sessions to Swinburne alumni, professional staff, researchers, undergraduate and postgraduate students with startup advice/IP strategy/career advice. o Led, developed and won a successful bid of $1 mil grant (Automotive Engineering Graduate Research Program) awarded by the Australian Federal Government.
Elemental Machines is an IoT start-up tailored for the life science industries that helps to reduce time and costs associated with life sciences research through using physical sensors, cloud connection, cloud computing and big data analytics. o Participated as a member of the executive team in establishing governance processes of direction and control to ensure that objectives are achieved; risks are managed appropriately and used strategically. o Oversaw project management and workflow of the technology and business department. o Identified opportunities and risks for delivering product on time leading to release success. o Supervised the implementation of technology in business improvement projects, advising on their operability, feasibility, availability, and cost/time estimates of implementation. o Analyzed and evaluated new technologies and make recommendations for new systems, software, or products.
Sensor Innovation’s focus was on the development of a molecular device utilizing a semiconductor as the transducing platform. The company manufactures an electrochemical-based pH sensor for the biopharmaceutical industry. o Provided scientific leadership, advice and guidance throughout the laboratory in the core area of the research program. o Managed an analytical measurement and instrumentation research & development group. o Focused research and development efforts associated with the interrelated group of technologies and strengthen in-house research capabilities and activities. o Responsible for all aspects of program development and strategy within the research group from concept to practice including invention disclosure and patenting. o Managed the preparation of proposals for major R&D programs/research grants. o Effectively present complex technical concepts to investors, end-users and at tradeshows/conferences; provide summaries/reports of scientific meetings to Board of Directors. o Responsible for all aspects of group management including hiring, mentoring, performance review, program review, vendor/supplier management, project budgets and timelines