AusBiotech has highlighted the success of its annual conference that brought together 1,000 delegates from 20 countries, including the US, China, Korea, and New Zealand.
The association said the conference facilitated at least 1,300 meetings between participants from biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, life sciences, business, investment, research and health – via the business partnering system.
It also pointed to the launch of an interactive online platform for international science-funding matching and two regenerative medicine projects.
The 'BioExchange' platform is the first major output of AusBiotech’s Australia-China Life Sciences Partnership Programme.
The platform connects the best of Australia’s medical technology, e-health, and life science projects to known Chinese fund and industry partners.
BioExchange is supported by MTPConnect, the Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Industry Growth Centre, and a consortium of partners; ChinaBluesky Partners, Therapeutic Innovation Australia, KPMG, King & Wood Mallesons, Asialink Business and FB Rice.
The conference also saw the launch of the 'Regenerative Medicine: Opportunities for Australia' report.
The report seeks to identify priority areas and goals to make Australia globally competitive.
The project was initiated by AusBiotech’s Regenerative Medicine Advisory Committee, which is made up of member companies and research institutes, and the report will be used to identify ways to improve and engage the national regenerative medicine sector.
AusBiotech also launched RMLink, a regenerative medicine directory, together with the Forum for Innovative Regenerative Medicine (FIRM).
The directory lists all members in Japan and Australia who work within the sub-sector. RMLink is only available to AusBiotech members.
The final regenerative medicine focused launch at the conference was the fourth 'Snapshot of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Companies in Australia 2018'.
The snapshot, which is co-developed with the NSW Stem Cell Network, compiles public information on Australian stem cell and regenerative medicine companies.
The first edition was printed in 2015. It has been expanded to include regenerative medicine organisations.
The AusBiotech and Johnson & Johnson Innovation Industry Excellence Awards were announced.
Former AusBiotech CEO Dr Anna Lavelle was recognised with the Industry Leadership Award. Medicines Development for Global Health won Company of the Year Award while Telix Pharmaceuticals and Microba were recognised with Joint Emerging Company of the Year Award.