The Biotech Innovators Program is designed for Victorian based scientists, researchers, clinicians, SME’s and tech transfer professionals who are looking to build their research translation skills.

• Under the guidance of the Brandon Capital investment team, you will cover foundational therapeutic development theory and explore the pathways and frameworks available.

• Internationally recognised guest speakers will augment the theory and contextualise the available pathways and frameworks by sharing their personal experiences.

• Facilitated interactive workshops will provide you with the opportunity to apply what you have learned, so that you’ll leave the program with a business plan for your research idea.

• You’ll be joining a cohort of like-minded participants embarking on a transformative journey that will expand your professional network to incorporate peers facing similar opportunities and challenges.

You’ll also leave the program with the confidence that comes from insights that cannot be found through a google search or Chat GPT.

Program Details

Delivered via four in-person monthly seminars at The Cluster, Level 17, 31 Queen St Melbourne CBD:

• 15 August (2pm to 4.30pm with networking to follow): How to know if you have a good idea?
• 12 September (2pm to 4.30pm): Translating research discoveries into drug development programs.
• 10 October (2pm to 4.30pm): Translating research to the Clinic.
• 7 November (2pm to 4.30pm with networking to follow):  Company formation and fundraising.

To get the most out of the program, you’ll need to commit to attending each session in person.

Seminar One – How do you know if you have a good idea?

Delivered by Brandon Capital Analyst Dr Melissa Byrne, Brandon Capital Senior Investment Manager Ingmar Wahlqvist M.D. and CSL Chief Scientific Officer Dr Andrew Nash.

• Value proposition
• Stakeholders
• Prioritising market segments using target validation and commercial appetite
• Drug discovery and development – taking a product-centric approach to TPP and modality selection

Guest Speaker Bio – Dr Andrew Nash

Andrew completed his immunology doctorate at The University of Melbourne before joining Zenyth Therapeutics as a senior scientist (previously Amrad), rising through the ranks to CEO and steering Zenyth’s acquisition by CSL Limited.

Now Chief Scientific Officer at CSL, Andrew leads a global team at the Bio21 Institute, identifying, nurturing and evaluating the potential pioneering protein, cell, and gene-based medicines.

Seminar Two – Translating research discoveries into drug development programs

Delivered by Brandon Capital Investment Manager Dr Katherine Jackman, Brandon Capital Pre-Clinical Project Advisor Dr Ian Holmes, and US-based biotech startup advisor Dr Julie Cherrington.

• Target validation
• Designing your development program – taking a product centric view
• Modality and indication specific considerations
• When to engage with regulatory bodies and what guidance to expect

Guest Speaker Bio – Dr Julie Cherrington

Julie holds a B.S. in biology and M.S. in microbiology from UC Davis, a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from the University of Minnesota and Stanford University, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at UC San Francisco.

She began her career at Gilead Sciences, before becoming Vice President of Preclinical and Clinical Research at SUGEN, a Pharmacia/Pfizer company and has been a key contributor to the development of multiple FDA-approved products, including SUTENT®, PALLADIA®, VISTIDE®, VIREAD®, and HEPSERA®. Julie is an active advisor to several biotech startups and sits on the Boards of Syncona Ltd, Sardona Therapeutics, Kisoji Biotechnology, MycRx, Vaxart, and Mirati Therapeutics.

Seminar Three – Translating research to the clinic

Brandon Capital Senior Investment Manager Bob So M.D., Brandon Capital Analyst Dr Melissa Byrne and guest speaker Dr Nick Wilson – Vice President Cancer Immunology CICT TRC Bristol Myers Squibb.

• Clinical trial strategy
• Overall trial design including endpoint considerations
• Incorporating regulatory and reimbursement considerations
• Working collaboratively with regulatory bodies

Seminar Four – Company formation and fundraising

UK-based Brandon Capital Partner Dr Jonathan Tobin, Brandon Capital Investment Manager Dr Mara Macdonald and guest speaker Professor Ian Charles.

• Company structure, key governing documents and operations
• Future financing rounds – when to fundraise and who to approach
• Building commercial relationships and positioning for exit
• Team building and leadership and working with the Board

How to apply to the Biotech Innovators Program

Applications close 5pm Tuesday 23 July 2024.

The Places for Biotech Innovators program has limited spots available for individuals with a research idea who want to develop it into a business plan. Applicants need to describe their plan in a non-confidential way in under 250 words and provide a referee.

The Brandon Capital investment team will assess applications, and candidates will be notified of the results in writing.

Applications are now closed.