Session three: Empowering future innovation – Policy, training and other enablers

Group Leader, Regulated Biomanufacturing, CSIRO Manufacturing

Patrick James is the Group Leader of the Regulated Biomanufacturing Group and a Principal Research Scientist in the Biomedical Manufacturing Program at CSIRO. In this role, he oversees the National Vaccine and Therapeutics Laboratory tasked with the delivery of biologics and vaccines for academic clients and SMEs for use in human clinical trials. Additionally, Patrick provides specialist advice, especially in the areas of CMC as part of CSIRO’s ongoing engagement with collaborators, clients and regional partners.

Patrick has over 10 years’ experience in the biotechnology industry within companies such as CSL, Nexvet/Zoetis, Exopharm and AdAlta Ltd. working in areas including product, analytical and formulation development, and CMC. He holds a Ph.D. in analytical biochemistry specializing in protein and small molecule mass spectrometry characterization from the University of Melbourne, with post-doctoral experience from the University of Virginia.

Regional Strategy Execution Manager – Novel Modalities and Investment Projects, Merck

With over 20 years of experience in the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries, Sarah currently serves as the Regional Strategy Execution Manager for Novel Modalities and Investment Projects for the APAC region within the Life Science division of Merck. In this role, Sarah drives market strategy development and accelerates adoption of process innovation for the next-generation of therapeutics including mRNA, pDNA, viral vectors, and ADCs.

Sarah’s career journey began with a degree in Applied Biology and Biotechnology from RMIT University, followed by eight years in biotech R&D. Since joining Merck, she has held various positions, combining her technical expertise in process development and bioprocessing applications with her skills in business development and commercial strategy.

Dedicated to fostering innovation, Sarah is passionate about building collaborative relationships and contributing to the development of groundbreaking therapies that improve patient outcomes.

Engineering Compliance Manager | Senior Consultant, SeerPharma Pty Ltd

Jo Sherriff is a Senior Consultant with SeerPharma, a consulting firm providing best-practice advice and training to pharmaceutical, medical device and life science companies in the Asia-Pacific region on matters of Quality and GMP compliance.

Jo has over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and life science industry. Jo is a qualified Chemical Engineer with her career spanning roles in process design, site operations, qualification/validation, GMP facility design and development of quality document systems. Jo’s extensive consulting and hands-on experience enables her to provide project management and practical GMP compliance advice from the facility concept design phase through to completion of process validation activities, in readiness for regulatory inspection.

Jo is Treasurer of the PDA Australia Chapter.

Senior Program Manager, IDT Australia

Dr Anubhav Srivastava is Senior Program Manager at IDT Australia, one of Australia’s premier development and manufacturing organisations, serving the biotech and pharmaceutical industries globally. With support from the Victorian Government, IDT Australia is investing in establishing capability for development and on-shore manufacturing of antibody-drug conjugates.

Anubhav holds a PhD in infection and Immunity from the University of Glasgow and conducted his postdoctoral research fellowship at the Monash institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Melbourne. He worked as an R&D Scientist at Pfizer, before moving into the world of Australian biotech where he has managed drug development programs for pre-clinical and clinical assets, including the phase 3 global clinical study at Dimerix Bioscience. At IDT Australia, he is leading the development of advanced therapies and innovative products such as mRNA vaccines and ADCs, specially for clinical trials in Australia.

Postdoctoral Researcher, Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Daniel is an molecular biologist and pharmaceutical scientist working to develop next-generation therapeutics and treatments powered by recombinant DNA, RNA and proteins. His research covers antibody-drug conjugates and drug nanocarriers, protein engineering, lipid nanoparticles/mRNA technology and viral vectors. He has worked with numerous pharmaceutical companies, including a long-standing program with Starpharma Limited, and on research collaborations with Halozyme, Astrazeneca, Avidity Biosciences and Patrys.

Daniel completed a Bachelor of Science (Hons) and a PhD at the University of Melbourne.

Category: Sector Events