The crucial work local Australian biotech companies are undertaking to address global health concerns is being showcased in a series of case studies, launched by AusBiotech.
Collaborating with members, AusBiotech will release five stories to demonstrate how the life sciences sector is a key, and growing, social and economic driver within Australia. The sector is substantial with more than 1,600 organisations and 230,000 employees, however its contributions are not always recognised.
Two stories have been released to date, examining how therapeutics companies AdAlta and Pharmaxis are working towards re-designing the landscape of fibrosis treatment, and how medtech company Analytica is replacing incontinence with confidence and control, having spent ten years developing state-of-the-art pelvic floor exercise system PeriCoach.
“Australia is a global leader within the biotechnology sector, developing potentially world-changing therapeutics with global impact. Australian biotechs are making a difference, but the work is complex and takes a long time. These plain English case studies work to inform and showcase the capabilities and capacity of the sector,” says Lorraine Chiroiu, CEO, AusBiotech.
Read Scarred for life: An Australian case study and the work being done on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a condition that around 1,500 Australians are diagnosed with each year: “Breathless moments: a phrase we associate with witnessing indescribable sunsets, experiencing a cultural phenomenon, and being in love. But this isn’t the case for everyone. For those suffering from fibrotic conditions, breathless moments are literally a torment…”
Read Incontinence across continents: An Australian case study about a stereotypically taboo, yet significantly burdensome condition, called urinary incontinence: “Time eternally moves throughout our lives, closely accompanied by its long-time associate: ageing. Both are all-inclusive, limitless in their international reach. Despite being essential to survival, progression, and maintenance in every facet of every person’s life, some changes - especially those which occur to our bodies - have become stigmatised, criticised, and undermined as embarrassing and abnormal, even when they are not…”