Posted: 4 September 2024
The creator of a vaccine that has the potential to prevent Australia’s koala population being decimated by chlamydia has been awarded a top biotechnology award in a ceremony in Brisbane on Friday.
Professor Peter Timms, Deputy Director of the Centre for Bioinnovation at the University of the Sunshine Coast, was awarded a Life Sciences Queensland (LSQ) GENE Award for his pioneering work in developing vaccines for chlamydia in koalas.
Professor Timms received the LSQ Merck Life Science Rural and Regional Service Award, alongside five other GENE Award winners celebrated for their contributions to the state’s booming biotechnology sector at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre today.
Professor Timms has taken applied research through to real-world vaccine roll-out for one of Australia’s iconic and endangered animals, the koala, working with large wildlife hospitals including Australia Zoo to develop the first-ever management option that has a sustainable scale for the koala population in Queensland and Australia.
LSQ Acting CEO Dr Ryan Parlett said Professor Timms’ koala work had wide applications outside the environmental science field.
“Not only does this work have the potential to save Australia’s iconic koala, but it could also inform the development of a chlamydia vaccine for humans,” he said.
“The work done by all of today’s GENE Award winners has the potential to improve the lives of people in Queensland and beyond, creating ground-breaking therapies for arthritis, flu, breast cancer, heart attack and heat exhaustion.”
“It’s an exciting time for the biotechnology sector in Queensland, with new companies setting up, and interstate and international companies establishing a presence here, creating skilled jobs and economic return for the state.”
In their 16th year, the GENE Awards are Queensland’s major life sciences awards, and include six categories that recognise excellence within the state’s booming biotechnology sector.
The 2024 winners are:
- Professor Peter Timms, Deputy Director, Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast – Merck Life Science Rural and Regional Service Award: Professor Timms is the world leader in chlamydial disease in koalas, and koala retrovirus, and a pioneer in developing vaccines for chlamydia in koalas.
- Professor Mark Kendall, Founder and CEO, WearOptimo – McCullough Robertson Industry Excellence Award: A globally respected biomedical engineer, scientist, entrepreneur and business builder, Mark established WearOptimo, a Brisbane-based private health-tech company, that is developing the next generation of wearable technology through its patented Microwearable sensor platform, a sticker-like device that provides real time monitoring of hydration and of heart failure biomarkers.
- Infensa Bioscience, a University of Queensland startup company – KE Select Emerging Innovator Award: For their work in developing game-changing therapies for two of the leading causes of death worldwide: stroke and heart attack, with a drug candidate using a molecule found in the venom of the K’gari (Fraser Island) funnel web spider.
- Professor Ranjeny Thomas, Arthritis Chair of Rheumatology, University of Queensland Frazer Institute – QIMR Woman of Influence Award: Professor Thomas is recognised globally for her work to prevent and cure autoimmune diseases. She founded two startup companies through UQ commercialisation company UniQuest to progress development of novel treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and Type 1 diabetes.
- Dr Nathalie Bock, Senior Research Fellow and Principal Investigator, School of Biomedical Sciences, QUT – The Rose-Anne Kelso Commemorative Award: Dr Bock is a mid-career woman making pioneering contributions at the forefront of breast and prostate cancer research.
- UniSC Clinical Trials, University of the Sunshine Coast – Cytiva Company of the Year Award: A significant clinical research network spanning five locations in Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, and Brisbane. It offers access to innovative therapeutics, including vaccines, medications for chronic diseases, cancer treatments, and medical devices.
The Queensland Government’s Queensland Capabilities: Bright minds, bright bio-futures report estimates the annual gross value of the life sciences sector to be $2.2 billion, which includes an estimated $534.3 million annually in exports and $361 million annually in private manufacturing research and development (R&D) investment.
The Awards were presented at a gala luncheon attended by government, industry and research institution leaders, investors, decision makers and researchers on Friday 30 August 2024, from 12:30–3:30pm, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
LSQ is the peak industry body that nurtures the Queensland life sciences sector, helping to mature and grow the organisations that feed, fuel and heal the world. We are the trusted advisor, advocate, enabler and connector for the sector.
Full list of GENE Award Finalists: https://www.lsq.com.au/gene-awards-finalists-2024
