The program has been unveiled for the AusBiotech International Conference 2025, confirming the most ambitious lineup in the event’s history, with over 60 sessions and 250 speakers set to gather the global life sciences community in Melbourne from 21 to 24 October at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
As the flagship event of Australia’s biggest week in biotech, the 2025 conference will spotlight global leadership in radiopharmaceuticals, advanced therapeutics, and biotechnology policy reform, alongside dedicated forums on investment, clinical trials, and AI innovation in life sciences.
The Millis Oration, sponsored by CSL, will be delivered by Dr Christian Behrenbruch, Managing Director and Group CEO of Telix Pharmaceuticals, under the title 'Getting Hot Down Under – Global Leadership in Radiopharma'. The address will explore Australia’s rise as a radiopharmaceutical powerhouse and examine how this success can be extended across the broader life sciences sector.
AusBiotech CEO Rebekah Cassidy will chair several headline sessions, including “Driving Tomorrow: How Australia’s Tech Sectors Are Shaping Our Innovation-Driven Economy” featuring Dr Ilana Feain (Tech Council of Australia) and Bronwyn Le Grice (ANDHealth). The panel will explore how Australian innovation across technology, biotechnology, and digital health is strengthening national capability and competitiveness on the global stage.
Another major session, 'Navigating Global Shifts in Biotech Policy and Partnerships', will bring together Dr Daniel Getts (Myeloid Therapeutics), Professor Chris Molloy (Medicines Discovery Catapult), April Palmerlee (AmCham Australia), and Dr Dell Kingsford Smith (Cochlear). The discussion will examine how global regulatory and investment trends are reshaping Australia’s biotech landscape and the steps needed to secure future sovereign capability.
The Depaz Oration, sponsored by Sanofi, will be delivered by Adjunct Professor Alison Todd AM, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of SpeeDx, in a session titled 'Australian Innovation: Striving to Meet the Unmet'. Her address will reflect on the challenges and triumphs of pioneering disruptive technologies and building a more equitable and prosperous innovation ecosystem.
A further highlight will be 'Building Global Success in Biotech', led by Dr Liz Dallimore (Argenica Therapeutics), Dr Jeremy Levin (BIO and Opthea), and Kirsty McCarthy (Molecule to Medicine), who will share lessons from scaling innovation internationally and creating resilient biotech ventures.
“Our 2025 program tackles the global shifts and emerging opportunities shaping Australia’s biotech future,” Ms Cassidy said. “With more than 250 local and international voices exploring global trends, AI deployment, sustainability, and investment, this year’s event unites our ecosystem with international partners at scale.”
Alongside the core conference, the week will feature the AgriBiotech and BioSecurity Summit (in partnership with CSIRO and Agriculture Victoria Services), AusPartnering (sponsored by Syneos Health), the Early-Stage Innovation Forum (sponsored by West Pharmaceutical Services), and several industry dinners, including the Clinical Trials Sector Dinner (sponsored by Avance Clinical and Smartways) and the Cell and Gene Sector Dinner (sponsored by Invetech).
The broader 'Biggest Week in Biotech' will also include AusBiotech Invest 2025, Australia’s premier life science investment showcase, as well as workshops and site tours of key innovation hubs such as Monash University, the Alfred Research Alliance, and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute.
The Victorian Government will serve as Host State Partner, underscoring Melbourne’s growing status as one of the world’s most vibrant biotechnology hubs. “Built by our industry for our industry, AusBiotech 2025 is where ideas are shared, partnerships are forged, and opportunities go global,” Ms Cassidy said.
The AusBiotech International Conference 2025 will take place from 21 to 24 October at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Registration details and the full program are available at ausbiotechic.com