Australia's biotechnology sector has just had its biggest gathering yet. Australia's Biggest Week in Biotech 2026 drew 2,019 delegates from 24 countries to the Gold Coast, and AusBiotech says it was its largest edition yet.
The week brought three events together. AusBiotech Invest, the AusBiotech International Conference and the AusMedtech Conference ran under the banner Global Impact Together. Much of the real work happened away from the main stage. Delegates held 2,647 AusPartnering meetings, and many more conversations took place in the exhibition hall and over coffee. Those meetings are where an introduction can become an investment, a licensing deal or a research collaboration.
The timing gave the week extra meaning.
AusBiotech is marking 40 years as the voice of Australia's life sciences industry, and the organisation used the milestone to reflect on what a connected sector can do. In its message to delegates, AusBiotech described a community that shares knowledge, opens doors and helps promising science move forward. It said it hoped attendees would head home with fresh insights, useful connections and renewed energy.
Some of that energy came from the Early Stage Innovation Forum, where young companies pitch to investors and peers. Denzil Furtado of Zitra Medicines took out the main prize. Stephen Blakeney of Affinyx won the People's Choice Award, which is decided by the audience. West Pharmaceutical Services sponsored the forum, and Tenmile sponsored the People's Choice Award.
AusBiotech thanked the Queensland Government, which was Host State Partner, along with its sponsors, partners and exhibitors. It also thanked the speakers, chairs, panellists and presenters, as well as its board, staff, Student Ambassadors and the many people working behind the scenes.
The event now moves up the highway to Brisbane, and it will come round sooner than usual. The 2027 program runs from 23 to 27 August, earlier in the calendar than this year. AusBiotech Invest is on Tuesday 24 August, and the International Conference and AusMedtech Conference follow from Wednesday 25 to Friday 27 August.
Delegates from this year have been sent a link to register for 2027 at 2026 prices. Registration for everyone else opens in November at biggestweekinbiotech.com. With less than a year to go, AusBiotech will soon open partner and exhibitor opportunities and its call for submissions. Send expressions of interest to events@ausbiotech.org.