Brandon BioCatalyst , a collaboration of more than 50 of Australia and New Zealand's leading medical research institutes, hospitals and universities, today announced new board appointments to continue the scaling of Australian medical research into globally competitive biotech companies.
The board transition sees the appointment of long-standing director and former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie AC as Chair, replacing one of the founding fathers of Australian Venture Capital, Bill Ferris AC, who is retiring from the role.
"With Peter Beattie now at the helm, Brandon BioCatalyst remains focused on building a globally competitive life sciences ecosystem - one that attracts patient capital, delivers returns for investors, creates opportunities for skilled talent, and drives meaningful improvements in people's health." said Dr Chris Nave, Brandon BioCatalyst CEO and Brandon Capital Managing Partner.
The changes come at a strategically important time for Brandon BioCatalyst, as its manager, Brandon Capital, recently announced the raising of a $439 million sixth fund that included $150 million from the National Reconstruction Fund to support early-stage and scaling of Australian biotech companies.
As Australia looks to lift productivity, the link between innovation and economic performance has never been clearer. Each biotech that reaches a new milestone sets off a cycle of progress, attracting the talent, capturing the IP and building the capability that sets the stage for future breakthroughs, and Brandon BioCatalyst is proud to be leading this momentum.
"Under Bill Ferris's leadership, Brandon BioCatalyst experienced transformative growth, expanding its membership, launching major initiatives including the CUREator biotech incubator and WILD (Women in Leadership Development) Program while supporting member institute spinouts through global regulatory approvals that resulted in partnerships with international pharma." Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie, a long-time champion of innovation, biotech and medical research, having developed and championed the Queensland Smart State strategy that set up the Medical Research Institutes, which delivered Gardasil and, more recently, Vicebio, is a transformative leader and sector champion.
Recipient of the inaugural "International Award for Leadership Excellence" from the Biotechnology Industry Organisation and serving as joint Adjunct Professor at both the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of Queensland, Mr Beattie brings a deep and distinguished background in biotechnology.
"Australia punches above its weight in medical research, and now we've got to make sure we're punching just as hard in biotech commercialisation. As Chair of Brandon BioCatalyst, I'm focused on ensuring Australia's biotech innovations are equipped with the capital, capabilities, and connections needed to retain lasting value in Australia," said Mr Beattie. "Queensland's Smart State strategy showed what's possible and I'm delighted to see Brandon BioCatalyst translating that spirit into nation-building through action, not just in name."
Brandon BioCatalyst also welcomes Dr Andrew Nash to its board, as former Chief Scientific Officer and Global Head of Research at CSL, Dr Nash played a key role in building a product pipeline, which has been instrumental in CSL's emergence as one of Australia's largest firms. Now Director of the Burnet Institute, his appointment reinforces a commitment to building world-class biotech ventures.
"Brandon BioCatalyst sits at the intersection of science and patient impact," said Dr. Nash. "It's exciting to be supporting Australia's leading medical research institutes at a time when Brandon Capital is deploying funds dedicated to identifying and scaling the country's most promising biotech startups."
In additional board changes, Ross King, Managing Director and Founder of Treadstone Resources and former Managing Director at Goldman Sachs Australia, will step into the Deputy Chair role. Denise Allen, former Citigroup and AV Super executive and Hon. Rob Knowles AO, former Victorian Minister for Health and Aged Care, will both step down, with their replacements to be announced later in the year.
"Brandon BioCatalyst was founded to transform world-class medical research into investible, scalable health solutions," said Mr Bill Ferris, "What began as a collaboration between eight medical research institutes has now grown into a dynamic network of more than 50 members across Australia and New Zealand, all working to translate breakthrough biotech innovations into therapies that reach patients."
Mr Beattie will continue to advance Mr Ferris's strategic vision, ensuring Brandon BioCatalyst remains focused on translating biotech research into commercial outcomes and building globally competitive biotech companies, while delivering programs and capital that unlock research potential.
"Bill Ferris has been an extraordinary leader, a valued colleague and friend, and a fierce proponent of Australian innovation. He understood deeply that successful biotech companies not only deliver investor returns but also generate high-value jobs and improved health outcomes," said Dr Chris Nave, Brandon BioCatalyst CEO and Brandon Capital Managing Partner.
