Australasian Biotechnology (backfiles) AusBiotech ISSN: 1036-7128 Vol. 11, Num. 1, 2001, pp. 3

Australasian Biotechnology, Vol. 11 No. 1, 2001, pp. 3

Tony Coulepis, Executive Director

Code Number: au01002

These are certainly exciting times for the Australian biotechnology industry, and consequently I am delighted to have the opportunity of being involved and assisting the ABA with the next stage of its development as an industry organisation.

My association with the ABA Steering Group highlighted to me the need, as well as the overwhelming support from biotechnology stakeholders, for the ABA to move forward, take up the challenge, and emerge as the Australian biotechnology industry organisation.

The past several months since the ABA2000 Conference in Brisbane have been very busy for the ABA. It is interesting to look at the time-line of developments over this period, namely:

1. July 2000: The ABA2000 Conference in Brisbane during which the ABA member’s Forum was held on the “Future Direction of the ABA”.
2. August 2000: The ABA Steering Group was commissioned by Directors, in response to the Forum at ABA2000 Conference, to review and provide a proposal and recommendations for the strengthening of the ABA in meeting the needs of the biotechnology industry.
3. October 2000: A report and recommendations were provided by the Steering Group and presented to members at the ABA Annual General Meeting.
4. November 2000: The newly appointed ABA Directors met and set the direction of the ABA according to the recommendations of the Steering Group.
5. December 2000: The commencement by Directors of the ABA three-year Business Plan activities, including considerations for the “founding” Executive Director to implement the recommendations of the Steering Group.
6. January 2001: The appointment of the ABA’s founding Executive Director.
7. February 2001: Release of the ABA three-year Business Plan

Other activities ongoing, or in the planning process during this time period, included:

• Discussions with organisations such as BioAsia Pacific, and BioChina, BIA, UK and equivalent organisations elsewhere in relation to international linkages
• Organisation of the joint CHIF/ABA 2001 Conference in August this year.
• Discussions with ABA state/regional branches concerning the ABA developments and their plans for this year.
• Representations to federal and state governments concerning the ABA’s role in Australian biotechnology, including a response to the Innovation Statement.

The above activities have certainly set a “challenging pace” which the ABA Directors and I believe is necessary in order to move forward and take up the challenge of meeting the needs of the Australian biotechnology industry.

The major activity over the past several weeks, and with significant input from Directors, has been the preparation of the ABA three-year Business Plan, entitled “Growing Australian Biotechnology”. This Plan is in the form of an “operational” document for the delivery of information, services, and activities that are focussed on providing a platform for the support, development and growth of the Australian biotechnology industry. The six elements of the Business Plan, underpinning a series of defined activities and “deliverables”, are:

• Increasing awareness of the Australian biotechnology industry
• Nurturing sustainable biotechnology enterprises
• Facilitating the expansion of the biotechnology industry through access to trained professionals
• Increasing links to and from the biotechnology industry
• Enabling a competitive financial environment
• Enabling and facilitating a competitive regulatory environment

Over the next several months I look forward to interacting with ABA members, and biotechnology stakeholders, as we progress with the implementation of the Steering Group recommendations, and we shall certainly keep members informed accordingly.

The ABA Directors and I plan to release the Executive Summary of the ABA Business Plan at about the time that this edition of the ABA Journal becomes available and I look forward to any comments that members may wish to provide. Please feel free to contact me about the ABA Business Plan, developments within the biotechnology industry or matters in which the ABA can assist you.

My contact details are as follows: E-mail: admin@aba.asn.au ABA Office: 9596-4300 Mobile phone: 0419-436-902

Dr Anthony (Tony) Coulepis, Executive Director of the ABA

Dr Anthony (Tony) Coulepis takes up the position of the ABA’s first Executive Director, bringing with him over 25 years of experience in biotechnology.

Tony graduated with a Ph.D in microbiology from Monash University, specialising in Virology (Hepatitis A) and is the author of in excess of fifty scientific publications.

Tony began his career with positions at Monash University, and later at Fairfield Hospital for Infectious Diseases, and more recently, at AMRAD Corporation Limited. During his time in the biotechnology industry, Tony has been involved with the pharmaceutical, diagnostic, manufacturing and reagent sectors of the industry, and has held a variety of positions including Laboratory Director, Operations Director, General Manager and Business Development Director. Consequently, in addition to a scientific and technology background, Tony also brings to the ABA many years of commercial and management experience.

Tony has served as a committee member of a number of scientific societies, the most recent of which was the ABA Victorian branch committee, which led to his invitation to join the ABA Steering Group for strengthening the role of the ABA in meeting the needs of the biotechnology industry.

Through Tony’s involvement in the ABA Steering Group, and his consequent interactions with ABA members, government organisations, service providers and stakeholders, he is well positioned to implement the recommendations arising from the Steering Group proposal. Tony’s key objective is to implement the transformation of the ABA into an organisation that meets the needs of the developing Australian biotechnology industry.

Copyright 2001 - AusBiotech