Expressions of interest sought for new Cell and Gene Catalyst

AusBiotech

A new Cell and Gene Catalyst is being established to capitalise on the opportunities that the burgeoning cell and gene sector can deliver to the Australian economy and society, with co-leads AusBiotech and Medicines Australia seeking expressions of interest from industry partners interested in contributing to and supporting the initiative.

The two national peak industry bodies are seeking:

  • Financial contributors willing to provide funding support to the Catalyst to enable the expansion of work, including the employment of a General Manager over a two-year period;
  • In-kind contributors willing to contribute to the Catalyst (i.e. advice, personnel, assistance in organising, minute-taking, scientific advice); and
  • Other parties interested in participating in or staying informed on the activities of the Catalyst.

Leveraging the exceptional foundational work over the past 12 months that has cemented and benchmarked Australia on the global RM map, it is envisaged that the Catalyst will guide the vision and strategy of the new body, advance regenerative medicines policy, mobilise resources, build community engagement, establish shared measurement practices and support aligned activities.

The Catalyst’s ambition is to bring a dedicated General Manager on board to drive its work and ensure meaningful outcomes are delivered over the next two years. Significant financial contributors will have the opportunity to join an oversight body and to be involved in the Catalyst's development.

Financial and in-kind contributors are sought to support this important industry-led work that will be guided by its goals of increasing access to life-changing RM therapies through greater reimbursement and/or registration in the Australian health landscape. The Catalyst will focus on the process from the point of translation onwards, while aiming to cover the entire value chain, from discovery through to patients.

The Cell and Gene Catalyst will build on and progress the work that has been developed over the past 12 months through the Regenerative Medicine Catalyst Project. AusBiotech has been leading the fixed-term project to 'deep-dive' into the RM sector, which sought to identify and establish a national RM sector ‘catalyst’ collaboration body, and address priority action areas including: workforce capabilities, collaboration, funding, regulation and policy infrastructure, and Australian manufacturing capability. Read more about the project and its major reports here.

Interested partners are warmly invited to contact Karen Parr, Director, Communications, AusBiotech for an exploratory discussion or to express their interest by 1 October 2021.