BioForum – BioNTech: From concept to clinical trials
November 28 @ 3:45 pm - 6:00 pm AEDT
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The BioNTech and mRNA Victoria collaboration has led to the establishment of the BioNTech Innovation Centre in Melbourne and the construction of a GMP mRNA manufacturing facility. These initiatives are key to building a robust, local mRNA innovation ecosystem, and advancing innovation to impact as it brings together industry, researchers, clinical investigators, and government.
mRNA has proven to be a versatile therapeutic class with the potential to encode antigens, antibodies, cytokines and proteins for the development of new vaccines and biotherapeutics. A frontrunner of this revolution, BioNTech is utilising mRNA platforms to develop novel approaches to combating cancer and infectious diseases by targeting the immune system from multiple angles.
Join us for this compelling lecture on the pathways to translate mRNA research into clinical-grade products suitable for clinical trials. Discover how these developments are shaping the future of healthcare, and the role Victoria is playing in driving this global innovation.
What to expect:
- The latest updates from industry experts
- Engaging information for diverse audiences
- Dynamic panel Q&A session
- In-person networking opportunities with peers.
Who should attend?
Researchers with an mRNA candidate, startups, and companies who are looking to translate their mRNA-based research into clinical trials and have a potential pathway to commercialisation are encouraged to attend.
BioForum details:
Date: Thursday 28 November 2024
Time (AEDT):
3:45 pm: Guest arrival and registration
4:00 pm: Presentations
5:00 pm: Panel and Q&A
5:30 pm: Networking
6:30 pm: Close
Format: Hybrid – In person and online
Venue: 1 Spring Street, Conference Centre, Melbourne 3000
Opening remarks: Phoebe Dunn, CEO, mRNA Victoria
Facilitator: Dr Jane Leong, Director, Development, Australian Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Medical Innovation, La Trobe University
Speakers:
Dr Sarah Herridge, Director, Research and Scientific Affairs, BioNtech Australia
Joshua Marks, Country Clinical Associate Director, BioNTech Australia
Dr John Power, Senior Director Ecosystem Development and R&D Production, BioNTech Australia
Host: Karen Parr, CEO, BioMelbourne Network
BioForum registration
Registration:
In-person: Members $95; Non Members $195
Online: Members $25; Non Members $45
Unsure if your organisation is a member? Check our member directory.
Cancellation policy:
In person registration:
Full refund given up to 7 days prior to the event
No refunds within 7 days of the event
Online registration:
Full refund given up to 3 days prior to the event
No refunds within 3 days of the event
Sponsored by the State Government of Victoria
Dr Sarah Herridge, Director, Research and Scientific Affairs, BioNtech Australia
Dr Sarah Herridge brings over 15 years of expertise in RNA therapeutics development in oncology, encompassing target discovery to IND-enabling activities. She earned her PhD in Biochemistry in Germany before moving to the United States for her postdoctoral training at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where she collaborated with Ionis Pharmaceuticals on pioneering RNA therapeutics for oncology. Sarah has held senior R&D leadership roles, including as Academic Lab Head at the University of Otago in New Zealand, and as the founding Chief Scientific Officer for two startup companies in the RNA therapeutics space.
Facilitator: Dr Jane Leong, Director, Development, Australian Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Medical Innovation, La Trobe University
Jane is currently Director, Development at the Australian Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Medical Innovation (ACAMI) at La Trobe University.
She has over 25 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry, holding senior positions locally and internationally in different R&D functions.
Prior to joining ACAMI, Jane was at Moderna where she established Medical Affairs teams in Australia and Asia Pacific countries, Advances in mRNA Science meetings and Global Research Fellowships. During her tenure in CSL and GSK, Jane has led global vaccine portfolios, therapeutics and vaccine launches, regulatory approvals and clinical development programs.
Jane holds a Medical degree and Master in Business Administration from the University of Melbourne and is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
She has over 25 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry, holding senior positions locally and internationally in different R&D functions.
Prior to joining ACAMI, Jane was at Moderna where she established Medical Affairs teams in Australia and Asia Pacific countries, Advances in mRNA Science meetings and Global Research Fellowships. During her tenure in CSL and GSK, Jane has led global vaccine portfolios, therapeutics and vaccine launches, regulatory approvals and clinical development programs.
Jane holds a Medical degree and Master in Business Administration from the University of Melbourne and is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
Joshua Marks, Country Clinical Associate Director, BioNTech Australia
Joshua is the lead for clinical development in Australia for BioNTech,bringing 10 years’ experience within the pharmaceutical industry, working across medical affairs and clinical development. Before joining BioNTech, he was in a senior medical affairs role for AstraZeneca Oncology, responsible for the in-line lung cancer portfolio. Prior to this, Joshua spent six years with Pfizer in various medical roles, including field medical lead for leukaemia and clinical lead for lymphoma, as well as medical lead for Pfizer’s lung cancer portfolio in solid tumours. Joshua is an alumnus of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre having worked in leukaemia research, as well as in a technical capacity in both microscopy and histology. Joshua holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne in Pathology, a Master of Biotechnology from RMIT University, and a Master of Pharmaceutical Medicine from UNSW.
Dr John Power, Senior Director Ecosystem Development and R&D Production, BioNTech Australia
John has over 25 years’experience in the industry for development of manufacturing systems for vaccines and biotherapeutics in global regulated markets. He has held senior technology leadership positions in Australian and Fortune 500 companies including CSL, Pfizer, and Zoetis. Prior to joining BioNTech, John headed up the CSIRO National Vaccine and Therapeutics Laboratory. He has been awarded a Bachelor in Applied Science, a Master in Biotechnology, and a PhD in Chemical Engineering by the University of Queensland. He has also completed an MBA in Technology Management and is a champion for continuous improvement as applied in manufacturing systems and organisational processes, and is a certified Six-Sigma Green Belt.
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