AusBiotech and Medicines Australia have marked the two-year conclusion of the joint venture Cell and Gene Catalyst by celebrating its outcomes and committing to greater industry collaboration to unify the industry’s efforts and voice.
The Catalyst was established as a two-year joint venture between AusBiotech and Medicines Australia to activate Australia’s cell and gene industry by connecting key stakeholders.
With the support of Catalyst’s partners, and under the leadership of its Director, Dr Marguerite Evans- Galea AM, the joint venture has successfully forged new pathways for national alignment, deepened sector understanding, and strengthened a unified voice on a range of topics from the healthcare workforce to precinct development, capability and capacity-building, market access, clinical trials and strategic investment to accelerate the cell and gene industry.
AusBiotech CEO Rebekah Cassidy, “Our organisations are proud of the deep connections the Catalyst has built and the strong foundation it has laid for long-term cell & gene industry growth in Australia. Given the maturing of Australia’s cell and gene industry over recent years - evidenced by new entrants, new industry-led partnerships, and new collaborative programs like the SMART CRC - AusBiotech and Medicines Australia believe the time is right to move toward even greater industry unification to move critical discussions forward.”
Medicines Australia CEO Liz De Somer said, “Both peak bodies recognise the need for the sector to continue important discussions on key topics including access, workforce and manufacturing. Medicines Australia and AusBiotech will continue to champion and invest in new collaborative structures that further unite the voice of the sector.”
The organisations announced they will establish a joint AusBiotech and Medicines Australia Advanced Therapies Advisory Group focused on policy development and advocacy, strengthen sector collaboration through an ongoing strategic partnership agreement between AusBiotech and the SMART CRC, and continue to collaborate on a range of whole-of-sector topics, including those related to access, workforce and manufacturing.
Professor Simon Cool, CEO of SMART CRC, said, “The SMART CRC is excited to further strengthen its partnership with AusBiotech and Medicines Australia to help unify and advance Australia’s regenerative therapies sector. Together, we will support the newly formed Advanced Therapies Advisory Group, amplifying the voices of key stakeholders, including state governments, biotech and regenerative therapy companies, healthcare providers, universities, and research institutes. “By working collaboratively with AusBiotech and Medicines Australia, the SMART CRC aims to grow Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capabilities, expand the skilled workforce, anchor cutting-edge technologies onshore, and accelerate the delivery of breakthrough medical treatments that can transform lives”.
Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea AM, Catalyst Director, added, “The Catalyst has played a pivotal role in the evolution of Australia’s advanced therapies sector, with significant growth and activation, propelling the ecosystem toward a more collaborative and mature industry. It’s been an honour to drive positive change for advanced therapies with expert leaders within the sector and I am grateful for the goodwill and collaboration demonstrated during this time.
"This progress bolsters the cell and gene industry and gives hope to Australia’s peoples.”