The AusBiotech and Johnson & Johnson Innovation Industry Excellence Awards were announced at the AusBiotech 2017 national conference in Adelaide.
The Awards recognise innovative companies and individuals in Australia’s world-class biotechnology, medical technology and healthcare sectors.
Ms Kathy Connell, senior director New Ventures, ANZ, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, said: “These award recipients are aiming to improve the health of people across the globe, which is an incredibly important mission and we are delighted to sponsor these awards that help recognise this important work.”
AusBiotech CEO, Glenn Cross, said each award recipient had made a significant contribution to the sector, and to the ongoing growth of Australia’s biotechnology and medical technology, as well as the health of Australians.
“These awards recognise the excellence in our industry,” said Mr Cross. “They also encourage us with what can be achieved when innovation is accompanied by the business acumen needed to bring novel medicines, medical devices and other new technologies to patients.”
Industry Leadership Award: Mrs Lusia Guthrie
With over 35 years in the pharmaceutical, medtech and bioscience industries, Mrs Lusia Guthrie is the chair of Clever Culture Systems AG, LBT Innovations’ joint venture based in Zurich. She holds Board positions with the BioMelbourne Network and ANDHealth and was recently appointed chair of the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre at Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Mrs Guthrie also holds industry advisory committee positions with the Australian Centre for Visual Technology at the University of Adelaide and the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute at Monash University.
Company of the Year: Planet Innovation
Over the last 12 months, Planet Innovation (PI) has raised the profile of the Australian biotechnology industry through sustained company success, breakthrough innovations and proactive thought-leadership. During this time, PI doubled its company revenue, created over 100 new jobs for the Australian biotechnology sector, and more than tripled its manufacturing export revenues of biomed and life-science products.
Emerging Company of the Year: CancerAid
CancerAid has developed a smartphone application for cancer patients, caregivers and clinicians. This digital health tool is designed to address key issues faced in oncology to provide value-added services. Launched last year, the App has quickly become the number one cancer app in Australia, the US and the UK.