 |
| About Bioline | All Journals | Testimonials | Membership | News |
|
||||||
|
||||||
Australasian Biotechnology, Vol. 11, No. 5, 2001, pp. 25 CHIF/ABA CONFERENCE REPORT THE CHIF/ABA 2001 CONFERENCE ATTRACTS MORE THAN 500 DELEGATES Anne Howard Howard Partners, Public Relations CHIF/ABA Conference Code Number: au01054 A record 530 delegates from across Australia and overseas gathered in Sydney for three days during August for the third Commercialising Health Innovations Forum, (CHIF), delighting organisers and assuring a strong future for the emerging biomedical sector in Australia. The forum, jointly organised by AusHealth International and AusBiotech Ltd, and modelled on the successful US BIO events, brought together the broad spread of participants involved in the commercialisation of Australia's health sciences, from research scientists through to venture capitalists, biotech companies, patent attorneys, advisers and government. The forum also attracted strong support from the private sector and from the New South Wales State and Commonwealth Governments. The success of the forum was the culmination of a great deal of collaboration from many people across Australia who are keen to work together in partnership for the benefit of the biotech sector. The fact that so many participants from all Australian States came together as one community is testament to the enormous support the life sciences sector is now enjoying in this country. There was broad recognition of the outstanding program, with five international speakers who generated a huge sense of excitement and purpose to the meeting. Delegates were also treated to many opportunities to meet informally, network and exchange ideas. The forum also provided the platform for several big announcements from both State and Commonwealth governments. The Premier of New South Wales, the Hon Bob Carr, officially opened the forum and at the same time unveiled his Government's plan to promote the biotechnology industry with "BioFirst" - The NSW Biotechnology Strategy 2001. The plan provided for a $220 million three-way funding link-up with the State Government, Commonwealth Government, and the private sector. The Minister for Industry, Science and Resources, Senator Nick Minchin, took the opportunity, as the dinner speaker at the inaugural Biotech Ball, to announce the eleven biotechnology companies that had been offered grants under the Commonwealth Government's new Biotechnology Innovation Fund (BIF). The eleven recipients of the BIF grants were:
In addition, Senator Minchin, had the pleasant task of awarding an "Industry Service Award" to Dr Leanna Read. Dr Read has been involved in a number of key industry activities, including the IR & D Board, and is currently associated with TGR Biosciences Pty Ltd, one of the BIF grant recipients. With the focus on commercialisation of innovation, the Forum also conducted a "BioPitch" competition, which saw researchers pitch their business plans to a group of investors. The winner was Neil Anderson, from Advanced Metal Coatings Pty Ltd, who took out the first prize of $10,000 to further the business idea, while a special commendation was also made to Rohan McDougal from BioSignal Pty Ltd. This is believed to have been the first time such a business plan event focused solely on the life sciences has been held in Australia. In summary, the CHIF/ABA Conference exceeded the expectations of the Organising Committee and succeeded in bringing together a significant number of stakeholders within the Australian Health Industry. We trust that all participants benefited and also enjoyed the CHIF/ABA 2001 Conference which set the scene for the next important Australian Biotechnology Conference which is the AusBiotech 2002 Industry Meeting in Melbourne next year (18-21 August, 2002).
Copyright 2001 - AusBiotech |
| |||||||||
