Posted: 5 December 2023
BioCurate, the independently operated joint venture between the University of Melbourne and Monash University, announced today it has appointed Dr. Kathy Nielsen to the role of Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Nielsen brings over 25 years of experience in senior leadership and advisory roles primarily in the life science sector, with deep experience in technology transfer, venture capital, creating and advancing spin out companies, and operating at the nexus between research and the pharmaceutical industry.
BioCurate Chair, The Hon John Brumby AO, said; “The Board and I are delighted to welcome Kathy to the role. Aside from her stellar track record as a team leader, she has a rare combination of governance, technical, IP and commercialisation capabilities, along with industry connections that will be incredibly valuable to our mission.”
Dr. Nielsen said; “I’ve been a long-time supporter of BioCurate from its genesis and an advocate for its work in my role at Monash Innovation. I’m privileged to have the opportunity to join such an exceptional team and channel my skills and expertise into supporting its mission to translate promising medical research into quality preclinical candidates for the bio-pharmaceutical industry.”
Dr. Nielsen joins BioCurate from Monash Innovation (Senior Director Commercialisation), having led the growing Commercialisation team, and managed a large and dynamic portfolio of early stage assets. She has had a strong transaction focus, brokering numerous deals with major pharmaceutical companies, as well as creating more than 25 Monash spin offs for the development of new therapeutics, many of which secured multi-million-dollar investments. Dr Nielsen also has strong corporate governance experience, having held 17 directorships and 5 observer positions.
Previously, Dr Nielsen was Senior Investment Manager at Queensland Investment Corporation, which managed several funds both in Australia and USA, investing in more than 20 biotech/life science companies and generating significant returns for Australian investors. Dr. Nielsen has also held senior roles in technology transfer at the University of Queensland and its spin outs including ElaCor Pty Ltd, Nanomics Biosystems Pty Ltd and Xenome Ltd.
Dr. Nielsen has also made substantial non-commercial impacts during her career, including through her role as Director, Research & Advocacy at Ovarian Cancer Australia. She was crucial in developing a National Action Plan for high impact research and to inform, engage and amplify the voices of women with ovarian cancer, through consumer-driven research.
The Hon. John Brumby AO, Chair of the BioCurate Board, said:
“The Board and I would like to thank Henry Jones for his interim leadership during the search, as well as the entire BioCurate team for the substantial progress they have achieved, including the achievement of all key project milestones, the expansion of our early opportunity pipeline through our Proof of Concept Scheme, and for securing extensions to, and new strategic partnerships with major biotech companies.”
Prof. Mark Hargreaves, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), The University of Melbourne, said:
“Kathy is an outstanding addition to the BioCurate leadership team. She is a well-known and highly regarded leader who is well-placed to further the translation and impact of the world-class biomedical research in our city.”
