Australasian Biotechnology (backfiles) AusBiotech ISSN: 1036-7128 Vol. 11, Num. 5, 2001, pp. 2

Australasian Biotechnology, Vol. 11 No. 5, 2001, pp. 2

From the President

Peter Riddles, President

Code Number: au01061

Our organisation is now in the process of moving towards its first Annual General Meeting, as AusBiotech, which will be held in Sydney on 27th of November 2001. It will be an appropriate time to review how far we have come, and at the same time, ask how far we have to go. Without doubt, the second question should occupy most of our time and thinking. I believe we can be justifiably proud of the achievements of the past year which, among other things, saw the acceptance and formation of AusBiotech and the appointment of the organisation’s ‘founding’ Executive Director, Dr Tony Coulepis. Other highlights have included:

• The first AusBiotech-led delegation of biotechnology organisations to an International Meeting (ie Asia Bio- Pacific);
• A very successful meeting held in partnership with the Commercialising Health Innovations Forum (CHIF); and
• The preparation of our first ‘policy’ position on taxation Growing Australian Biotechnology through Improved Access to People and Capital which is published in this edition of the Journal. Tony will outline other highlights for 2001 in his Executive Director’s Report later in this edition of the Journal.

Behind the scenes, there has been a considerable effort in the provision of basic services to members, including the establishment of new offices in Richmond, Victoria with upgrading of membership databases and financial management systems and considerable progress towards the establishment of an ‘Industry Information System’. What is really exciting is to see the number of members in all categories accelerate in the past three months with up to 30-40 new members coming on board each month. It is pleasing that this trend is continuing, as can be seen by the list on new members in this edition of the Journal.

The most important success factor in these achievements has been the team of staff and volunteers - the people who make up AusBiotech. The Directors who meet regularly as a Board, mostly by telephone and then every two months or so at face-to-face meetings, also work with the Executive in ‘Sub- Committees’ on particular activities to ensure continued progress at a time where the AusBiotech infrastructure is being developed.

As required by our new constitution, a number of Directors are standing down this year. I would like to pass onto these Directors our sincere thanks and appreciation of their dedication to the task and to their commitment to the Australian biotechnology industry in general. Elane Zelcer has provided considerable experience and understanding of start-up companies and will continue to work to support the growth of the sector in many ways. Lyndal Thorburn and David Tribe, who are long standing Directors, and Shanny Dyer have provided considerable energy to the establishment of AusBiotech. These Directors will continue to work with AusBiotech and other organisations to see the continued maturity of our industry in Australia. Shanny Dyer will join the NSW Branch of AusBiotech, having shouldered much of the responsibility of the very successful CHIF/ABA meeting on behalf of AusBiotech. Lyndal will continue to work with the Canberra Branch while Elane and David will continue to assist AusBiotech with its major National Conference scheduled for August 2002. The ongoing commitment of these Directors, as well as that of other past Directors, is creating a solid foundation of expertise and continued support which is critical for the development of AusBiotech and the biotechnology industry. The Directors mentioned above who are standing down will not be seeking re-election.

The challenge now is to identify new candidates (ie three Corporate and one Institute Directors, as required by the new AusBiotech Constitution) who are nominated by Institute or Corporate members and who have the energy, vision and strategic skills to drive AusBiotech forward as Directors over the next few years. Nominations are currently being called for the four positions.

At another level, our Branches have provided considerable support in helping AusBiotech to consult and disseminate information, as well as running some innovative industry events. For example, a one-day workshop, called ClubBio has been established by the Queensland Branch and has already attracted registrations and sponsorships to ensure that it will be a successful meeting. The current group of Directors will take advantage of participating in this event to meet for the first time in Queensland. People in our industry have contributed in other ways. There have been substantial inputs from individuals in the preparation of the tax paper and other documents, the use of facilities for various functions, sponsorship of activities and so on. These contributions from our members and sponsors are much valued and add considerably to what we are able to achieve.

Of course, many challenges face us in the coming year. I believe there will be an increasing focus on policy development that will involve working with members to identify the issues, and then ‘crafting’ a position on each of the issues. Our constitution and business plan, together with input from our membership, will provide guidance in how these policies are developed. One of those challenges will be to work in this increasingly complex global environment, as we must, with the greatest of social, political and environmental demands, to see the biotechnology industry provide the rewards and benefits to Australians as has occurred in other major economies of the world.

This can only be achieved through the vision and energies of the people in our industry and their continuing participation in supporting the goals and activities of AusBiotech.

Dr Peter Riddles

Copyright 2001 - AusBiotech