AusBiotech has formed the Regenerative Medicine Advisory Group, representing a new and rapidly-growing industry that is already delivering on the significant potential to provide vital health benefits worldwide.
The Group will provide advice on current and emerging issues and trends facing the regenerative medicine sector in Australia and overseas, improve and engage the sector, generate a clear definition of regenerative medicine and address key advocacy issues.
“Regenerative medicine has the potential to lower healthcare costs for unmet medical needs and chronic conditions. Australia has a long history of regenerative medicine and has a global competitive advantage in this sector. With the support of the Group, AusBiotech intends to develop programs to enhance that advantage,” said AusBiotech Chief Operations Officer Glenn Cross.
The Group will be comprised of ten members and be chaired by Mr Silvio Tiziani, Chief Operating Officer, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI) and Executive Director, EMBL Australia, who has extensive experience in private and public organisations, with a focus on laboratory-based organisations in the academic, health and hospital systems.
Developed and supported by AusBiotech, the strength of this advisory group lays in its connections with Austrade, national scope and ability to drive collaboration both within Australia and on an international scale.
“Australia has the intellectual know-how and infrastructure to be an integral participant in this global endeavour,” said Mr Tiziani.
“The Regenerative Medicine Advisory Group brings together leading regenerative medicine exponents from Australian industry and life science research to identify and help address key issues facing Australia's regenerative medicine sector, ensuring Australia is an active participant in the international sector.”
Developing relationships with international groups
Japan, Korea and Canada have been identified as key regions to strengthen collaborations. With the support of Austrade, a Japanese regenerative medicine delegation will visit Stem Cells Australia and the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute at Monash University in early September, where there will be opportunities for AusBiotech members and other organisations to meet with Japanese companies to identify and discuss future collaborations. Further discussions are developing with other key international groups, which include the Forum for Innovative Regenerative Medicine (FIRM) in Japan, Korea’s Global Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Acceleration Center (GSRAC), Canada’s Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM), the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) in the US and Cell & Gene Therapy Catapult in the UK.
Providing opportunities for collaboration
The Group seeks to develop a prominent presence at key life science events, providing national and global collaboration opportunities for research, investment, commercialisation, advocacy and cures and treatment. It is currently developing a dedicated session at the AusBiotech national conference, which will be held from 24-26 October 2016 in Melbourne. The session will explore the future of the industry and will feature Professor Martin Pera, Program Leader, Stem Cells Australia.