Australasian Biotechnology (backfiles) AusBiotech ISSN: 1036-7128 Vol. 11, Num. 3, 2001, pp. 2

Australasian Biotechnology, Vol. 11 No. 3, 2001, pp. 2

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dr Peter Riddles, President

Code Number: au01030

Well, the good news is that members adopted both the Constitution and AusBiotech as the name for our organisation. Therefore, it is of course time to move on, get serious and implement the "deliverables" outlined in the Business Plan and consequently I shall not dwell on the past except to make the following two comments:

I would like to express thanks to the many individual members and stakeholders who offered and provided support during the transition phase.

These thanks are also due to the Board of Directors who worked overtime to produce the strategies and plans, and to our Executive Director who has given much of his energies in delivering the outcomes of the Board and in managing this phase.

I would also like to recognise the significance of all who participated in the debate and who offered suggestions and critical appraisal of the plans.

There is no question regarding the importance of democratic process in reaching the best outcome for all which I believe we have achieved. Finally on this matter, I would like to thank the firm of Blake Dawson Waldron for their support and guidance throughout the process of dealing with the name and Constitution issues and also for hosting the General Meeting on the 10/5/01.

Now to the future!

While there are many activities which currently occupy the attention of the

Board and the Executive, I would like to mention some of these because of their relevance to us strategically.

BIO2001

BIO2001 is the major event where the global biotechnology industry networks come up to speed with the trends and issues concerning science and industry development, and where worldwide promotion of organisations and biotechnology centres occurs. Partnerships are created and deals are struck in the three-and-a-half day event which is expected to attract over 16,500 delegates this year. Australia will be represented by a delegation of over 340 individuals representing most of the biotechnology science and industry base and government agencies.

As President of AusBiotech, I have been Chairing the Coordinating Committee for Australia's presence at BIO2001. The operation of the committee has been strongly supported by our national agencies; Invest Australia and Austrade.

The most significant development for our industry this year has been the emphasis on taking a "national approach" at the pavillion and other activities which recognises that the "Australian brand" has much value internationally. Within this national framework, individual organisations and State Governments have organised a variety of functions and events to promote their respective activities. It is worth noting that all States will be represented in the Australian delegation this year. The President of BIO, Carl Feldbaum, has invited the leaders of some of the Biotechnology Industry Organisations to a Global Information Exchange. It is pleasing to note that Tony, myself and a member of Government have been invited which importantly gives Australia, for the first time, "a seat at the table" at what is going to be a very important forum. We will report back to you on the outcomes of this meeting.

At BIO 2001 we are planning to have a "soft launch" of AusBiotech to position the organisation within the global biotech community. In this regard we have also been preparing and sending letters to the leaders of the biotech organisations in other nations and will hopefully be meeting many of the key people at BIO2001.

Branches

As outlined by Tony in his Executive Director's report, there are a number of key operational activities, which have an important role in the overall strategy of AusBiotech. One of these activities is the strengthening of existing branches and the establishment of new branches to deliver benefits to members in regions where AusBiotech may not be active at the present time. Therefore, I am delighted with the partnership arrangements with South Australia and wish to advise of considerable progress in discussions in Tasmania relating to the establishment of new AusBiotech branches.

CHIF/ABA 2001

This conference is shaping up to be the most significant biotech event in Australia this year and will also be the event where we are planning to formally launch AusBiotech. Therefore, I urge all Members not currently participating or planning to attend CHIF/ABA to review your plans and re-consider this event. Please visit the Conference website at: http://www.ahi.com.au/

AusBiotech Operating in 2001

AusBiotech plans to work with Governments, both Federal and State as well as local Government, to provide input to the strategies that are either being developed or implemented. Typical of this approach, which we have already embarked upon, is illustrated by the interaction we have had with Biotechnology Australia (BA) staff concerning the development of the guidelines on the Biotechnology Investment Fund (BIF) guidelines, an initiative of the Federal Government's biotechnology strategy. A working group consisting of the Executive Director and AusBiotech Directors analysed the draft guidelines and prepared a written analysis, which was submitted to BA. This written analysis, together with several teleconferences, enabled the AusBiotech working group to co-operate and liaise with BA to modify the guidelines to be more in line with current expectations of industry. I believe most of our recommendations were adopted by BA which is a positive result for the industry, and a clear message that Government is willing to listen and work with industry for the best possible result.

AusBiotech 2002 Annual Conference in Melbourne

I am pleased to announce that plans for the 2002 AusBiotech Annual Conference in Melbourne are well under way. This Conference will be held between 18th and 22nd of August 2002 and promises to be the most significant biotechnology event in Australia in 2002. We shall be announcing details of this major event in the very near future.

CSIRO

Finally, a comment on the recent major changes announced for CSIRO. As a consequence, CSIRO has elevated the importance of emerging industries in their forward plans with biotechnology particularly being emphasised. If these changes are backed up by support for CSIRO staff in achieving these goals, then CSIRO is well placed to make a significant contribution to the development of our industry. Congratulations to the new CEO of CSIRO, Dr Geoff Garrett, and we offer him AusBiotech's support in achieving these goals.

Tony has provided further operational information in his Executive Director's Report, which sets the scene for the next important phase of AusBiotech. That is, the implementation of our Business Plan, entitled, "Growing Australian Biotechnology" and the consequent "delivery" of outcomes, activities and benefits to AusBiotech Members and to the Australian biotechnology industry.

Copyright 2001 - AusBiotech