Brandon BioCatalyst, a collaboration of more than 50 of Australia and New Zealand’s leading medical research institutes, hospitals and universities, today announced new board appointments.
The board transition sees the appointment of long-standing director and former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie AC as Chair, replacing one of the founding fathers of Australian Venture Capital, Bill Ferris AC, who is retiring from the role.
“With Peter Beattie now at the helm, Brandon BioCatalyst remains focused on building a globally competitive life sciences ecosystem - one that attracts patient capital, delivers returns for investors, creates opportunities for skilled talent, and drives meaningful improvements in people’s health,” said Dr Chris Nave, Brandon BioCatalyst CEO and Brandon Capital Managing Partner.
The changes come at a strategically important time for Brandon BioCatalyst, as its manager, Brandon Capital, recently announced the raising of a $439 million sixth fund that included $150 million from the National Reconstruction Fund to support early-stage and scaling of Australian biotechnology companies.
“Under Bill Ferris’s leadership, Brandon BioCatalyst experienced transformative growth, expanding its membership, launching major initiatives including the CUREator biotech incubator and WILD (Women in Leadership Development) Program while supporting member institute spinouts through global regulatory approvals that resulted in partnerships with international pharma.” said Mr Beattie.
Mr Beattie, a long-time champion of innovation, biotech, and medical research, developed and championed the Queensland Smart State strategy, which established the Medical Research Institutes.
“Australia punches above its weight in medical research, and now we’ve got to make sure we’re punching just as hard in biotech commercialisation. As Chair of Brandon BioCatalyst, I’m focused on ensuring Australia’s biotech innovations are equipped with the capital, capabilities, and connections needed to retain lasting value in Australia,” said Mr Beattie. “Queensland’s Smart State strategy showed what’s possible and I’m delighted to see Brandon BioCatalyst translating that spirit into nation-building through action, not just in name.”
Brandon BioCatalyst also welcomes Dr Andrew Nash to its board. As former Chief Scientific Officer and Global Head of Research at CSL, Dr Nash played a key role in building a product pipeline, which has been instrumental in CSL’s emergence as one of Australia’s largest firms. Now Director of the Burnet Institute, his appointment reinforces a commitment to building world-class biotech ventures.
“Brandon BioCatalyst sits at the intersection of science and patient impact,” said Dr Nash. “It’s exciting to be supporting Australia’s leading medical research institutes at a time when Brandon Capital is deploying funds dedicated to identifying and scaling the country’s most promising biotech startups.”
In additional board changes, Ross King, Managing Director and Founder of Treadstone Resources and former Managing Director at Goldman Sachs Australia, will step into the Deputy Chair role. Denise Allen, former Citigroup and AV Super executive and Hon. Rob Knowles AO, former Victorian Minister for Health and Aged Care, will both step down, with their replacements to be announced later in the year.
“Brandon BioCatalyst was founded to transform world-class medical research into investible, scalable health solutions,” said Bill Ferris, “What began as a collaboration between eight medical research institutes has now grown into a dynamic network of more than 50 members across Australia and New Zealand, all working to translate breakthrough biotech innovations into therapies that reach patients.”
“Bill Ferris has been an extraordinary leader, a valued colleague and friend, and a fierce proponent of Australian innovation. He understood deeply that successful biotech companies not only deliver investor returns but also generate high-value jobs and improved health outcomes,” said Dr Chris Nave, Brandon BioCatalyst CEO and Brandon Capital Managing Partner.