Cover image: Imagining a world with 3D printing customised body tissue Associate Professor Mia Woodruff and her team at QUT are working towards making 3D printed body parts available to everyone. Mia Woodruff’s exciting vision is a future where a 3D printer will be in every operating theatre. This dream drives her research in tissue engineering and biofabrication. Photo courtesy of QUT. For more information woodruffgroup.org

Talented Queenslanders are responsible for world-leading research and development, and my government is right behind them with our $405 million Advance Queensland initiative.

We are passionate about transforming ideas into reality. We realise that for innovation not only to survive but to thrive, there must be collaboration.

We welcome new investment to create new industries and new jobs in Queensland.

Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP Premier and Minister for the Arts

ContentsWhy Queensland is the place for life sciences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Easy to do business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Strong government support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Well connected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2A dynamic industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Science making a difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct . . . . . 4Queensland Biomedical 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Advance Queensland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Government support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Dynamic industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Active industry association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Industry case studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Leading capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Health infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Clinical trials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Case study: QIMR Berghofer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Biofutures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Global solutions for food security . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Invest with us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Case study: Vaxxas Nanopatch™ . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Investment opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Therapeutics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Vaccines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Collaborate with us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Case study: Johnson & Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Case study: Queensland Emory Drug Discovery Initiative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Collaboration opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . .22Facilities and services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Therapeutics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

University commercialisation contacts . . . .23

Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Easy-to-find research capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Professor Ian Frazer AC, The University of Queensland, Chair Translational Research Foundation Board, co-inventor of Gardasil®—the world’s first cervical cancer vaccine

Why Queensland is the place for life sciences

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Queensland life sciences are globally competitive. The state is a highly attractive knowledge hub with successes in health, agriculture, the environment and industrial biotechnology, utilising the state’s unique biodiversity, world-class skills and infrastructure.

Easy to do businessIdeally positioned at the crossroads of the Asia–Pacific, Queensland has many strong advantages as an investment destination including:

• a strong, stable economy and governance institutions

• market access via free trade agreements with key trading partners including China and Japan

• an educated, highly skilled, motivated workforce with access to world-class training facilities

• the lowest payroll tax in Australia, low commercial property rentals and competitive living costs compared to other Australian states

• a legal framework with strong intellectual property rights and patents regulations.

Strong government support The Queensland Government has a long history of investing in the life sciences sector, which is paying dividends. It has committed over A$5.9 billion to boost Queensland’s science research, development and innovation since 1999.

The Queensland Government is continuing to actively support the state’s life sciences industry through:

• investing in biotechnology research and its commercialisation

• supporting world-class research precincts and centres of excellence

• translating knowledge from key international alliances into new products and services.

Well connected The Queensland Government is fostering key international alliances to promote technology transfer, the exchange of ideas and access to the skills required to advance research collaborations and development.

Queensland’s key international relationships in science and research include working at the state or national level with: Canada, China, India, New Zealand, Europe and the USA.

A dynamic industry Our life sciences sector has more than:

• 250 companies in the life sciences industry1

• 85 core biotechnology companies1

• 80+ biotechnology-related research organisations employing more than 6600 researchers4

• revenues exceeding A$600 million for biotechnology companies and A$1.07 billion for biotechnology-related research institutes

Science making a differenceQueensland is one of the top two Australian states and territories for scientific impact in most of the life sciences, including drug discovery, biochemistry, applied microbiology and biotechnology, molecular biology, genetics, animal science and zoology, and cellular and molecular neuroscience.2

Why Queensland is the place for life sciences

TEXAS

1.7m km2

Queensland’s economy is worth

A$314 billion3

Queensland is home to

millionpeople

… a wonderful lifestyle … modern facilities … smart people

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1 Queensland Life Sciences Review Report 20112 Elsevier SciVal, 2012–15 3 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2014–15

Source: abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@nsf/mf/5220.04 Queensland Science Capability Directory qld.gov.au/ScienceDirectory

The newly established Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct is located in the heart of Australia’s emerging global city.

The 200-hectare (500-acre) precinct offers a unique global opportunity for local and international investors to locate adjacent to a research intensive Griffith University, clinically driven teaching hospital, leading private hospital and a range of prominent corporations.

A collaborative environment for mixed-use health, knowledge and commercial activities, the precinct is a vibrant community where people live, learn and work; providing a dynamic location for a diverse range of businesses to cluster and grow. Already employing almost 10,000 people, the precinct is set to create 12,400 new jobs by completion (Ernst & Young).

Find out more about this unique global investment opportunity, and incentives available healthknowledge.moregoldcoast.com.au

Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct

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The $4 million Biomedical Roadmap sets out the Queensland Government’s vision to position Queensland as a globally competitive Asia-Pacific biomedical hub.

Key initiatives include:

• Biomedical Assistance Fund—$2 million initiative to help Queensland biomedical enterprises leverage government and private sector funding to bring new products and services to market.

• Biomedical Voucher Scheme—attracting national and international biomedical enterprises to Queensland by reimbursing the cost of obtaining services from Queensland-based biomedical service providers.

• Queensland Biomedical Launchpad—an intensive incubator that will take a group of biomedical enterprises through a tailored market validation program.

For more information on the Biomedical Roadmap and initiatives visit: statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/industry-development/ biomedical-and-life-sciences.html

Queensland Biomedical 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan

an Advance Queensland priority initiative

Department of State DevelopmentDepartment of State Development

June 2017

Queensland Biomedical10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan

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Advance QueenslandGovernment supportQueensland has a strong research infrastructure platform and is investing in people, ideas and partnerships to drive creativity and innovation. The government’s A$405 million Advance Queensland initiative is invigorating research and development in the state, and growing the knowledge-based jobs of the future.

Advance Queensland is enabling the shift from ideas and research into outcomes through a number of influential programs designed to foster collaborations, knowledge transfer and translation, investments and new enterprises by:

• helping to turn ideas into reality with co-investment in Queensland businesses at the forefront of commercialising groundbreaking research or innovations through the Business Development Fund

• improving collaboration between Queensland universities and industry through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships to exchange skills and ideas and inspire innovation

• supporting science engagement and communication projects, events and activities that increase the reach and impact of science in Queensland through Engaging Science Grants

• supporting researchers, scientists and clinicians to develop their innovations into practical commercial outcomes, and to access appropriate support through a range of Fellowships

• supporting innovators to develop and test their ideas to solve Queensland challenges and create commercial opportunities through the Small Business Innovation Research program

• establishing strategic relationships with global research or innovation programs through the Innovation Partnerships program. This program also provides opportunities to build joint investments with leading global research institutions or universities to support collaborative R&D

• supporting the development of new or improved products, processes or services to secure investment, global markets and grow businesses through the Ignite Ideas program

• developing the pipeline of talented Queensland school students moving into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for a skilled and innovative workforce.

Advance Queensland Research Fellow, Dr Sunil Panchal (pictured right) with Jim Goodrich (left), owner, Goodrich Fruit Company, Warroo and Professor Lindsay Brown, Research Leader, USQ Functional Foods Research Group in a Queen Garnet Plum orchard

Active industry associationLife Sciences Queensland Ltd (LSQ) is an active Australian peak industry body, working with 180 member organisations and all levels of government to provide leadership, promotion and growth opportunities for life sciences firms and organisations. It also raises the profile of the role of life sciences, innovation and economic development.

LSQ is a key vehicle for building and maintaining a globally competitive sector in Australia by:

• facilitating business development of new and existing companies

• profiling members’ capabilities through national and international marketing

• developing and advocating approaches to deal with industry issues to take advantage of new opportunities

• identifying and recruiting relevant international strategic partners and networks

• strengthening access to, and linkages with, relevant science research capabilities

• hosting industry forums to bring together the life sciences sector in the Asia–Pacific region.

Industry case studiesAnteo Diagnostics

Anteo Diagnostics Ltd is a global technology company, developing and commercialising products for sale into the life sciences, diagnostics, medical devices, and energy markets. Based in Queensland, the Anteo Group owns patented ‘nanoglue’ or ‘nanocoating’ technologies, which are used, for example, by customers from the healthcare sector to deliver faster, cheaper or more sensitive tests.

Nanometre thin glues used to bind proteins onto synthetic surfaces for diagnostic applications also have uses in many application areas, including biomedical, health care, energy, electronics, environment, textiles, food and agriculture, and any other ‘nanotechnology’ field where small particles are used.

Next generation, high-performance lithium-ion battery materials require glues and coatings to improve capacity, achieve faster charging and increase battery cycle life. The same core technology spans both life sciences and industrial markets.

anteodx.com

lsq.com.au

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Dynamic industry

Australia’s med-tech industry is thriving. At Cook Medical, we’re excited that through our new initiative in Queensland the Asia-Pacific Commercialisation and Development Centre (ACDC), we can provide a support system to promote innovation and commercialisation. The establishment of the ACDC represents our long-term commitment to strengthening collaboration between research and industry, developing skills and experience in commercial operations, and increasing business investment and export capabilities in Queensland.

Barry Thomas, Director – Asia Pacific, Vice President – Cook Incorporated

Ellume—home diagnostic platform

Ellume is a health technology company that develops, manufactures and commercialises high-performance digital diagnostics, using proprietary technology. Ellume uses a unique fluorescent nanoparticle, integrated with an ultra-sensitive analyser, to enable the rapid detection of a variety of common conditions by healthcare practitioners using the ellume·lab platform.

Test results are available in under 10 minutes* and the first tests offered are Group A Streptococcus and Influenza A/B, followed by RSV, CRP, Chlamydia and D-Dimer.

ellume·lab developed by doctors for doctors

ellume.com.au

BioProton—enzymes for innovative animal feed

Bioproton is an Australian-based biotechnology company developing, manufacturing and marketing high-quality feed enzyme supplements.

Bioproton produces Natuzyme, an enzyme for use in feed, specifically swine, poultry, ruminant and aqua feeds, to enable better nutrient utilisation and higher quality end products with lower total costs. It also provides the added benefit of decreasing the phosphorous levels in animal waste and, in turn, reducing the impact on the environment.

Founded in Finland, the company recognised that Queensland offered a better location to access the growing Asia–Pacific market. The move here in the 1990s contributed to its global success as an industrial and agricultural biotechnology company providing feed supplements. With its head office, product development and manufacturing operations based in Brisbane, Bioproton’s global marketing and distribution network now covers Africa, Asia, Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and North and South America. BioProton continues its efforts to develop and produce enzymes with improved characteristics by collaborating with The University of Queensland’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. bioproton.com

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* Test results vary depending on the condition being tested.

Leading capabilitiesHealth infrastructureQueensland’s life sciences industry is going from strength to strength, with particular success in human health research and development. This is built on advanced facilities, experienced researchers and an integrated approach to the development of new technologies with local and international industry.

The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital campus hosts the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. This institute houses up to 600 scientists specialising in research focusing on cancer, infectious diseases, mental health and a range of complex disorders. QIMR Berghofer is a world leader in cancer immunotherapy, biomarker and target discovery, and human genetics.

Nearby is the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (Queensland University of Technology), a collaborative institute working to develop global health solutions covering three broad areas—prevention, mind and body health, and recovery.

Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital campus brings together some of Queensland’s leading institutes such as the Translational Research Institute (TRI) and the Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence.

The TRI is a leading Australian innovative medical research, development and translation facility. It accommodates a range of cutting-edge technology developments, including interventions to prevent and treat human diseases, and to provide early diagnosis for treatable disease. TRI works to take medical innovations through to real-world implementation via its Translational Pathway and Flagship Programs in Immunotherapy, Diagnostic Imaging and the Microbiome.

TRI is home to more than 800 researchers and clinicians from its partner organisations, including The University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Mater Research and the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Through groundbreaking commercial partnerships such as the TRI Innovation and Translational Centre in collaboration with Siemens Healthcare, TRI is leading the way in medical research.

The Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct is emerging as a significant integrated location in Asia–Pacific for education, research, knowledge creation and the commercialisation of newly developed technologies. Opportunities exist for investment and collaboration, with incentives available. healthknowledge.moregoldcoast.com.au

The Health and Food Sciences Precinct delivers leading research at the interface of health care, medicine, food and nutrition. The precinct houses research staff from the Queensland Government, CSIRO and The University of Queensland, co-located with Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services staff.

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The Translational Research Institute is a disruption to business as usual. TRI connects scientists with clinicians to solve healthcare problems. It is a catalyst for change. The goal is to improve the percentage of medical innovations that are translated and made available worldwide. The ultimate outcome—improved healthcare, jobs and manufacturing industries.

Professor Carolyn Mountford CEO and Director of Research, Translational Research Institute

cGMP manufacturing

Queensland is home to the only two organisations in Australia fully dedicated to the cGMP grade contract manufacture of biopharmaceutical active ingredients—Patheon Biologics and LuinaBio. These Brisbane-based facilities have complementary manufacturing processes, and serve as a testament to Queensland’s capabilities across the full spectrum of biopharmaceutical development. Patheon Biologics focuses on mammalian cell culture products, while LuinaBio has expertise in microbial cell-derived products.

Patheon Biologics also has an advantage, being co-located with Queensland’s TRI. This means biopharmaceuticals can be discovered and developed, and clinically tested and manufactured, in a single location.

New tropical research facility

As Australia’s only dedicated tropical health and medical research institute, the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine’s newly completed infrastructure (pictured), based at James Cook University in northern Queensland, facilitates world-leading research that improves healthcare solutions for tropical populations. In particular, it is addressing threats such as TB, dengue fever, streptococcal infections and bacterial sepsis.

aithm.jcu.edu.au

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LuinaBio has been a cornerstone of the Queensland life sciences industry for more than 20 years. Operating in Queensland’s vibrant biotech sector meant great things for our business, including access to highly qualified staff, close proximity to world-class research and strong

relationships with local complementary service providers. Les Tillack, CEO, LuinaBio Ltd

Patheon Biologics is proud to be part of the Queensland network supporting international and local biopharmaceutical companies to progress their innovative discoveries into drugs of the future. The region is well established to support the research, manufacture, clinical evaluation and commercial supply of treatments to the highest international standards, ensuring patients benefit from this world-class biotech hub.

Stephen Lam, Senior Vice President, Head of Patheon Biologics

Leading capabilities cont’d

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Clinical trialsThere are significant advantages to conducting clinical trials in Australia. Non-dilutive funding and streamlined clinical trial processes provide unique support to biomedical product developers, all within a First-world regulatory environment that is 100 per cent aligned with international standards, including:

• up to a 43.5 per cent cash refund on qualifying R&D expenditure through the R&D Tax Incentive scheme

• fast-track progression to global phase II trials under the Australian Clinical Trial Notification scheme

• high-quality data that is acceptable in North American, European and Asian jurisdictions.

Why Queensland

The Queensland Government is committed to working with industry to enhance the competitiveness of the local clinical trial sector by:

• streamlining the ethics and governance approval processes: (i) 97 per cent of commercial clinical trials are reviewed within the 60 days ethical review window; (ii) the Interstate Mutual Acceptance Memorandum of Understanding between Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia has been a major contributor in decreasing duplication of ethical review for clinical trials; (iii) Queensland Health is participating in a trial of new research governance review processes in order to streamline review times further

• improving recruitment and retention of patients to clinical trials in Queensland

• managing the Database of Research Activity which lists all research conducted in Queensland Health facilities.

Clients have the competitive advantage to get into the clinic faster than they could if they were doing

their clinical trials in the USA for example.Dr Kym Baker, General Manager Patheon Biologics

Everything you need in one place

Bringing together financial, manufacturing, bioanalytical, clinical and regulatory experts, Queensland is the one-stop shop for clinical research and development:

• Patheon Biologics and LuinaBio are the industry leading biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing organisations. LuinaBio specialises in microbial cell-derived products, while Patheon Biologics offers mammalian cell culture capabilities.

• TetraQ is a contract research organisation providing a range of integrated and tailored preclinical services to the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

• Clinical Network Services is a uniquely integrated service group providing a comprehensive range of services in strategic planning, delivery of chemistry, manufacturing and control/non-clinical development programs, and rapid initiation of clinical trials.

• ERA Consulting is a leading independent regulatory affairs and product development consultancy specialising in complex biotechnology-related medicines, and assisting with preclinical services and CMC, and clinical trial design and applications.

Patheon Biologics is collaborating with the research facilities and expertise available at The University of Queensland’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) for the development of mammalian cell lines.

Through the partnership between Patheon Biologics and AIBN’s National Biologics Facility, Australia now has the capability to span the chasm between the fundamental discovery of potential biopharmaceuticals and biologics, and the ability to prepare clinical grade material for human trials and subsequent commercial manufacture.

Already, this partnership has produced benefits for a number of Australian and international companies that are now having clinical grade material manufactured in Brisbane.

The Queensland Clinical Trials Network Inc., via Life Sciences Queensland, assists developers of human therapeutics and devices to distribute preclinical and clinical research to the network’s ‘best-of-breed’ cluster of service providers.

Clinical trial facilities integrated with leading research institutions and major hospitals include:

• Q-Pharm is a commercial phase I/II clinical trials facility, forming the cornerstone for integrated clinical research at QIMR Berghofer.

• TRI’s Clinical Research Facility provides a safe environment to conduct patient research, with ready access to hospital facilities and emergency response teams. The CRF has around 40 studies currently underway, which include evaluating treatments for a range of cancers; skin, respiratory, liver and brain disorders; obesity and rheumatoid arthritis.

• University of the Sunshine Coast Clinical Trials Centre facilitates industry-sponsored clinical drug and device trials across a range of trial phases and therapeutic areas.

• Griffith University Clinical Trial Unit provides state-of-the-art facilities and professional coordination services for phase I–IV clinical trials, not only to staff and collaborators, but also to external customers such as the pharmaceutical, biotech, nutraceutical and complementary medicine industries, as well as clinical research organisations.

Therapeutic Innovation Australia (TIA) provides access to coordinated and integrated national translational health pathways for researchers developing small molecule pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, devices, biomarkers and cell-based therapies. Participating Queensland capabilities include:

• TRI Preclinical Imaging Facility

• The University of Queensland: — Centre for Integrated Preclinical Drug Development — Centre for Clinical Diagnostics of the UQ Centre for Clinical Research

— AIBN’s National Biologics Facility

• QUT’s Genomics Research Centre at the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation

• Griffith University’s Compounds Australia.

TIA manages the Australian Therapeutic Pipeline (therapeuticpipeline.com) and supports the development of quality facilities through providing subsidised access to quality documents (iqdocs.org). TIA is supported through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy.

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Q-Pharm clinical trials facility

Case study: QIMR BerghoferQIMR Berghofer is a world-leading translational research institute focused on cancer, infectious diseases, mental health and chronic disorders.

QIMR Berghofer has an established pipeline of therapeutic –diagnostic intellectual property assets at various stages of development, with the most advanced programs receiving proof of concept investment. In addition, QIMR Berghofer has established the SEEDBox® (Science Exploitation and Entrepreneurial Development program), which is tasked with accelerating the translation of these projects through focused commercialisation. Unlike the early pipeline, projects in the SEEDBox® are assigned a full-time entrepreneur who coordinates the critical path development of projects within strict timelines and investment tranches.

QIMR Berghofer has established a number of strategic collaborations with commercial partners for the development of therapies up to and including clinical development. These projects continue to develop and expand into productive partnerships with exciting clinical milestones in the future:

• Bristol Myers Squibb—a collaborative research and licensing partnership for the discovery and development of novel therapeutic antibodies in immuno-oncology

• Atara Biotherapeutics—worldwide licence and research agreement to develop and commercialise allogeneic T-cell therapies for potential application in the treatment of various cancers and certain autoimmune disorders

• Medicines Malaria Ventures (MMV)—strategic clinical development collaboration using QIMR Berghofer’s malaria challenge model. MMV funds malaria challenge clinical trials on pipeline projects.

Unique integrated clinical research platform

QIMR Berghofer has developed an approach that seamlessly combines both preclinical and clinical trials via the combination key in-house services:

• Q-Pharm—a commercial phaseI/II clinical trials facility, wholly owned by QIMR Berghofer and forming the cornerstone for integrated clinical research. Since its inception in 2002, Q-Pharm has been involved in more than 350 clinical trials, and conducts about 30 clinical studies each year. The facilities include a recruitment and outpatients clinic; specialised 18-bed clinic; open-plan 24-bed facility; data management and quality assurance units; and PC2 laboratory

• Q-Gen Cell Therapeutics—a TGA approved facility to manage GMP manufacturing of cellular therapies

• Clinical Trials and Biostatistics Unit—enhances clinical capabilities by providing the infrastructure and expertise to conduct early and late phase clinical trials strictly following the regulatory guidelines (Food and Drug Administration) and biopharmaceutical industry standards.

Dr Fares Al-Ejeh Personalised Medicine Team

Photo courtesy QIMR Berhofer

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Leading capabilities cont’d

Biofutures The global biorefinery products market reached almost US$438 billion in 2014, and the sector is expected to reach US$1,128 billion by 2022 (World Economic Forum, 2014).

Queensland is well positioned to contribute to this market with its tropical and subtropical climate, significant biomass availability, a technologically advanced agricultural sector, world-class research capability in its universities and industry, and policy settings, including a biofuels mandate.

In 2016 the Queensland Government announced the Advance Queensland Biofutures 10-year Roadmap and Action Plan, which seeks to harness our state’s existing environmental and industry strengths to establish a new industrial biotechnology and bioproducts sector over the next decade.

A range of initiatives has been launched under the roadmap to support industry and position Queensland for these opportunities, including the Biofutures-focused Industry Development, Commercialisation, Acceleration,

and Research Fellowship suite of support programs. These and further initiatives are overseen by a new dedicated Biofutures Queensland team working across government and industry with a newly appointed Biofutures Industry Envoy.

The Queensland Government’s broader vision is that the roadmap initiatives lay the foundation for a A$1 billion sustainable and export-oriented industrial biotechnology and bioproducts sector, attracting significant international investment, and creating regional, high-value and knowledge-intensive jobs.

Under the roadmap initiatives, Queensland universities and institutes are partnering with national and international bioindustrial companies and providing leading R&D capability on advanced biofuels, biochemicals, bioplastics, specialised energy crops and high-yield cultivars, algae products, fibre and composite products. For further details on potential R&D

collaborators refer to advance.qld.gov.au/our-vision/roadmap/biofutures.aspx.

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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DEMONSTRATION DEPLOYMENT FULLY COMMERCIAL

Biofutures Commercialisation

Program

Biofutures Industry Development Fund

Biofutures Acceleration

Program

Pre commercial

Global solutions for food securityQueensland is committed to boosting scientific partnerships to support the state’s economy, a key industry of which is agriculture. The Queensland Government is investing in agricultural research programs ranging from beef probiotics and controlling livestock parasites to improving food productivity and nutritional security. There are also important partnerships in agricultural research programs, particularly in the cultivation and processing of raw materials.

Despite recent technological advances, including improved varieties and irrigation systems, changing climatic conditions remain a dictating factor affecting agricultural productivity, and impact on food security globally.

Researchers at QUT are developing drought-tolerant and disease-resistant varieties of chickpea. This is set to put Queensland at the forefront of Australia’s pulse exports.

The Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities is using biotechnology to genetically engineer chickpea varieties to withstand Australia’s harsh climate. Pulses are an important source of protein.

As the world’s population increases, its dependence on animal protein is not sustainable, which leaves chickpeas to fill the gap. The centre’s Director Professor Sagadevan Mundree said the research enables existing farmers to use marginal land to expand into chickpea and other tropical pulse production. Queensland has an opportunity to develop this industry and reap the rewards in the future.

QUT is leading a major international humanitarian project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to create bananas with high levels of pro-vitamin A to alleviate the continuing burden of malnutrition in Africa and Asia, and also with resistance to banana pathogens.

Professor Sagadevan MundreeDirector Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities, QUT

The project partners include the National Agricultural Research Organisation of Uganda, the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, the Malawi Department of Agricultural Research Services and five institutions in India. After successful field trials in Queensland, the biofortification project has now moved into the development phase with new field trials in Uganda. Iron biofortification is the next target, and potentially high iron lines are already in the field in Australia. The virus resistance field trial commenced in Malawi in 2016. Ultimately biofortification will be combined with disease resistance in bananas.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Queensland researchers are improving the health of people living in the tropical world through funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The University of Queensland, QUT and Griffith University have received significant funding from the foundation to progress research in plant breeding, malaria, public health management and nutrition.

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Leading capabilities cont’d

The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) is a unique Australian research institute bringing together scientific experts from the Queensland Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and The University of Queensland.

QAAFI continues to attract significant industry income, reaching A$200 million of external funding from commencing operations to 2016. This figure represents a recognition by industry of the value and impact of QAAFI research and the QAAFI model, which is a unique Australian partnership, and among only a handful of similar scientific research partnerships anywhere in the world.

The majority of QAAFI’s scientists are located and conducting research within regional Queensland and Australia. QAAFI’s locations in Australia are an advantage as their climatic conditions are comparable to the world’s expanding tropical and subtropical environments.

The remainder of QAAFI’s research team is strategically located throughout the major tropical and subtropical areas. The institute’s research has provided achievable solutions to world challenges. In particular, QAAFI’s research addresses the expansion of tropical and subtropical geographies and the matter of assuring global food security for growing populations. QAAFI research has a strong focus and research application to agricultural and food science developments within India, China, Africa, Africa, the USA, Canada, Europe and Brazil.

Some examples of QAAFI’s achievements include:

• Bioclay is a gene-silencing breakthrough in agricultural nanotechnology that could help reduce food production losses to pests and pathogens, without the toxicity impacts of current chemical sprays.

• A new QAAFI-developed intelligent crop modelling tool is helping researchers identify how improved plant growth efficiency will translate into better yields.

• QAAFI and DAF have developed and licensed a new sweet corn variety that contains 10 times the amount of zeaxanthin than occurs naturally. High zeaxanthin protects against age-related macular degeneration.

QAAFI is a world-leading agricultural research institute and is an internationally recognised centre for agriculture and food research in the tropics and subtropics.

Professor Robert Henry

Director Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation

The University of Queensland

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Invest with usQueensland is the ideal investment location, with a stable economy, low business operating costs, a highly skilled workforce, great lifestyle and strategic Asia–Pacific location.

Over the past decade, the Queensland Government has made significant investments in science and technology that have provided an enduring legacy. Our critical mass of knowledge hubs has strengthened the state’s global competitiveness and attracted significant support and investment from international researchers and businesses.

Case study: Vaxxas Nanopatch™ The Nanopatch™ is a vaccine delivery technology that uses thousands of microscopic projections to deliver vaccines directly to dense populations of immune cells just below the surface of the skin.

Application of the Nanopatch™ avoids nerve endings that cause pain, and in model systems has been shown to enhance immune response, using as little as one hundredth of the dose typically needed for the traditional needle and syringe.

The patented Nanopatch™ was developed at The University of Queensland and licensed to Vaxxas Pty Ltd by UniQuest.

Vaxxas has secured more than A$40 million in equity funding led by Australian venture capital firm OneVentures, in addition to more than A$10 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization, and global pharmaceutical companies, to advance a series of clinical programs and develop a pipeline of new vaccine products for major diseases.

HealthCare Ventures and the companies it manages seek new investments and conduct drug development activities globally. We have been active in Queensland—investing in Vaxxas and its NanopatchTM vaccine delivery technology, manufacturing clinical trial material of our monoclonal antibody products, and conducting clinical trials—because of its world-class research, knowledge-based industries, and supportive environment. The vibrancy and breadth of the Queensland life sciences community creates a great place for innovative business.

Mr Doug Onsi, Managing Director, HealthCare Ventures, USA

We are actively encouraging more investments and new enterprises between Queensland and the world through Advance Queensland initiatives: the Business Development Fund, which is helping turn ideas into reality; and the Innovation Partnerships program for establishing strategic relationships with global research or innovation programs.

To find out more visit advance.qld.gov.au

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The NanopatchTM and its application for vaccinations

Investment opportunitiesQueensland has world-class infrastructure that supports a vibrant and growing scientific community, with a number of demonstrated commercial successes, including the GARDASIL® vaccine. We have many breakthrough technologies developed by Queensland researchers which are ready for investment.

Find out more by contacting the commercialisation offices listed on page 23.

DiagnosticsRapid screening test by GPs for heart failure A rapid screening test to allow GPs to check at-risk patients and pick up heart failure at a very early stage.

qutbluebox seeks an industry partner to co-develop and license the technology and undertake further validation of the diagnostic test prior to commercial launch.

Exosome Signature for early stage lung cancer patients A multi-protein signature contained in blood-borne exosomes has been developed which is capable of predicting patient outcomes in early stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The technology is envisaged as a prognostic treatment-guidance tool.

QIMR Berghofer is seeking partners with interest in commercialising a novel exosome signature that would benefit early stage NSCLC patients. Investors with an interest in the changing landscape for cancer diagnosis are also sought.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) The University of Queensland has a large ongoing research effort in antimicrobial drug discovery, molecular diagnosis and infectious diseases, focused on new ways to solve the global challenge of drug-resistant infections.

UniQuest is seeking investment, or licensing/collaboration partners.

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TherapeuticsReducing brain damage post-stroke A neuroprotective therapeutic is being developed for application in the treatment of brain injury following a stroke, to prolong the window of therapeutic intervention past the current four hours based on existing treatments.

UniQuest is seeking an investment, or a licensing/collaboration partner to develop or co-develop the peptide-based drug candidate.

Anti-inflammatory biologic for ulcerative colitis (UC)from hookworms James Cook University researchers have developed an anti-inflammatory biologic to treat UC as well as other inflammatory diseases.

James Cook University is seeking investment to enhance the preclinical data package and conduct further toxicology/safety trials in mice, before progressing to an IND filing to move into clinical trials.

Olfactory cells for spinal cord repair Griffith University researchers are focused on improving effectiveness of the olfactory cells in repair of the spinal cord leading to a Phase I/IIa clinical trial of patients, whereby a glial bridge made of olfactory cells will be transplanted into patients with contusion spinal cord injury followed by intensive physiotherapy for 12 months.

Griffith Enterprise is seeking investment and collaboration opportunities to help support the clinical trial.

Australian of the Year and Griffith University Emeritus Professor, Alan Mackay-Sim, whose research into the use of olfactory stem cells is helping to find a cure for spinal cord injury

Investment opportunities cont’dVaccines Next generation anti-influenza agents Annual epidemics of influenza continue to exact a high toll of morbidity and mortality, with an estimated 3–5 million cases of severe illness and up to 500,000 deaths worldwide each year. There are currently two anti-influenza drugs on the market, Relenza® and Tamiflu®. However, the emergence of Tamiflu®-resistant influenza means we need new compounds to combat this threat.

Griffith Enterprise—Institute for Glycomics is seeking co-development partners to rapidly complete lead optimisation of preclinical development of our latest highly potent anti-influenza compounds.

A new vaccine for prevention of Chikungunya Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes and is characterised by abrupt onset of fever with debilitating joint pain. There is currently no cure or approved vaccine. This vaccine could help prevent infection against Chikungunya, and potentially protect against other similar viruses.

Griffith Enterprise is offering an exclusive licence to the intellectual property, know-how and materials, and access to our team for further joint R&D and consultancy.

MultiVax—liposomal vaccine platform for mucosal vaccines Griffith University has developed a liposomal vaccine platform technology that elicits mucosal immune response. MultiVax has potential application to multiple respiratory pathogens—bacterial, viral or fungal—and the capacity for multiplexed vaccines.

Griffith Enterprise—Institute for Glycomics is seeking co-development programs to apply the liposomal vaccine platform technology to the development of new vaccine candidates for any respiratory pathogens.

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PlasProtecT®—whole-parasite, blood-stage malaria vaccine PlasProtecT® is a chemically attenuated, whole-parasite, blood-stage malaria vaccine candidate that has demonstrated immunogenicity in first-in-man studies.

Griffith Enterprise—Institute for Glycomics is seeking partners to co-develop or sponsor clinical development of PlasProtecT®.

A live attenuated vaccine for all species and stages of malaria Researchers at the Australian Institute for Tropical Health and Medicine have developed a live attenuated vaccine platform that could successfully target the main malaria species and different stages of the infection.

The candidate is entering Phase I safety and immunogenicity trial in Q3 this year. If successful, James Cook University will be seeking additional investment towards Phase II efficacy trial. 19

Broad spectrum influenza vaccine The University of Queensland researchers have developed a potential broad spectrum influenza vaccine, shown to be up to 80 times more effective than current flu vaccines.

UniQuest is seeking investors or an exclusive pharma partner to develop the influenza vaccine through clinical trials. Parties interested in other viral vaccines, such as respiratory syncytial virus and MERS vaccines, should also contact UniQuest.

Delayed release booster shot for livestock Vaccinating livestock requires animal capture to deliver a ‘prime’ vaccination, and a booster shot requires later recapture at significant cost. QUT researchers are developing a delayed release booster implant that allows the farmer to deliver both prime vaccination and booster at the same time, avoiding the need to recapture stock.

qutbluebox seeks an investment and development partner.

Queensland recognises the importance of partnering with leading international experts across all life sciences to access cutting-edge technology, intellectual know-how and new markets. The state works in partnership with many of the world’s established and emerging knowledge powers including Canada, China, India, Europe and the USA.

The Queensland Government is encouraging new collaborations between Queensland and the world through the Innovation Partnerships program.

This program provides opportunities to build joint investments with leading global research institutions or universities to support collaborative R&D.

To find out more visit advance.qld.gov.au

Queensland offers excellent opportunities for industry engagement with its world-class scientific infrastructure, translational approach to life science research, track record of collaboration, and the Advance Queensland initiative supporting the commercialisation of science innovation to discover, develop and deliver real solutions to patients

globally.Kathy Connell, Johnson & Johnson

Innovation’s Senior Director of New Ventures for Australia New Zealand

Case study: Johnson & JohnsonThe Johnson & Johnson Innovation Partnering Office at Queensland University of Technology (JJIPO @ QUT) serves as a strong platform to identify and nurture life science research collaboration across Queensland.

Based at QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, JJIPO @ QUT is a public–private partnership between the Queensland Government, QUT and Johnson & Johnson Innovation. The partnering office provides access to valuable knowledge exchange, scouting programs, and scientific, regulatory and commercialisation expertise from the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies for academics, entrepreneurs and other early-stage innovators.

JJIPO @ QUT opened in 2016 and conducts regular networking and training sessions and other face-to-face meetings. It hosts key international Johnson & Johnson experts to speak at networking events for the benefit of the whole ecosystem. Beyond partnering meetings, the collaboration also explores funding opportunities and mentorship for entrepreneurs who plan on researching and developing their healthcare solutions in Queensland.

L–R: Kathy Connell from Johnson & Johnson, Leeanne Enoch, Minister for Science and Innovation, Annastacia Palaszczuk, Queensland Premier, and Professor Peter Coaldrake, Vice Chancellor, QUT at the opening of the JJIPO @ QUT

Collaborate with us

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New medicine

Clinical trials

Process development

In-vivo studies

Lead optimisation

Hit-to -lead

Hit identification

Target validation

Exploratory Biological Research

• Target identification• Genomics, proteomics,

bioinformatics• Assay development

• Compound screening• MTS/HTS• In-silico screening

• Medicinal chemistry + structure-based drug design

• Compound + library synthesis

• ADME, PK + PD + early toxicity studies

• IND filing• Formulation• Manufacturing• Safety

• Toxicity, side-effects• Efficacy• Regulatory approval• Marketing• On-going evaluation

UQ RESEARCH QEDDI TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY PARTNER

The role of QEDDI in The University of Queensland’s drug discovery and development pipeline

Translating biomedical research into new medicines—the Queensland Emory Drug Discovery Initiative (QEDDI), established in 2015, is a unique initiative supported by the Queensland Government, The University of Queensland (UQ) and UniQuest. It is a small molecule drug discovery and development capability created to translate and accelerate UQ’s most innovative biological research to new medicines.

Based at UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience, it has core capabilities in medicinal chemistry, compound screening and project management. Collaborations with academic researchers will advance biomedical research to new candidate therapeutics, enabling commercial partnerships to bring new medicines to the public.

Case study: Queensland Emory Drug Discovery Initiative

QEDDI has a commitment to address unmet needs across all human health, and aims to develop a project portfolio across several therapeutic areas, including cancer, diabetes, inflammation, neurodegeneration and infectious diseases. QEDDI’s current projects, supported by its international advisory committee, seek to identify novel candidates for targets important in diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and inflammatory disorders.

Unique licensing and investment opportunities will be available through UniQuest for QEDDI’s pipeline of novel therapeutic, validated and de-risked drug leads.

While employing experts from international industry with a track record in drug discovery and development, QEDDI will also provide training opportunities for young scientists as a critical part for the ongoing discovery of innovative new medicines.

QEDDI is supported through the Advance Queensland initiative.

Dr Jennifer Smith Photo courtesy

Institute for Molecular Bioscience, UQ

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Collaboration opportunitiesCollaborations with Queensland researchers provide organisations and research institutes with access to world-class knowledge and modern research infrastructure to develop new initiatives and technologies that provide global solutions.

Here’s just a few of the collaboration opportunities currently available in Queensland life sciences.

To learn more about these opportunities, visit the Queensland Science website. qld.gov.au/InvestInScience

Facilities and services Compounds Australia—access to Australia’s unique chemistry Australia’s chemistry is right there at your fingertips at Australia’s national compound management facility, Compounds Australia. CASPeR, a customised web portal, opens the door to Australia’s unique chemistry.

Griffith University is seeking partners in these areas: high throughput assay screening, library management, eResearch platforms, library exchange.

Glycomics array technologies Griffith University has developed a range of glycomics array technologies for high throughput glycan and lectin screening of whole cells, cellular fractions, bacteria, viruses, proteins, carbohydrates and other biological particles.

Griffith Enterprise—Institute for Glycomics is seeking collaboration and contract research opportunities that utilise its glycomics array technologies. In addition, the institute provides purification, structural characterisation and synthesis of carbohydrates and carbohydrate-binding proteins. There is also interest in in-licensing novel glycans and lectins to expand its arrays.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Biobank The IBD Research Group at QIMR Berghofer has curated an extensive, high-quality annotated IBD Biobank. The samples and data have been curated and annotated from multiple sites in accordance with quality operating procedures, making this Biobank a particularly unique and valuable asset. The institute is now seeking to expand the IBD Biobank to include additional sites under the quality systems established.

QIMR Berghofer is seeking collaborative partners to assist in the expansion of the IBD Biobank, and opportunities to collaborate with the interrogation of the biobank exist.

DiagnosticsMolecular diagnostic test for the detection of esophageal adenocarcinoma QIMR Berghofer has developed a liquid biopsy test for the detection of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and Barrett’s esophagus. The diagnostic test is based on a modified glycosylation signature observed specifically in the presence of EAC, providing a non-invasive approach for its detection.

QIMR Berghofer seeks a collaborative partner to facilitate in co-developing this technology onto a commercially and clinically feasible molecular diagnostics platform (assay development).

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TherapeuticsFood-derived phytochemicals for preventing cancer USQ is looking to measure the effectiveness of phytochemical supplements in preventing ‘Western diet’ (high in red meat-derived animal fats and sugar) induced cellular changes that drive primary cancer and cancer recurrence.

USQ is seeking seed funding and phytochemical supplements (if a supplement manufacturer or distributor) for preclinical testing and clinical trials.

Immuno-oncology bi-specific antibody collaboration QIMR Berghofer is seeking to establish a bi-specific antibody collaboration in the field of immuno-oncology (I-O). This collaboration will apply the institute’s world-leading expertise in immunology and oncology to the development of next-generation bi-specific I-O therapies.

QIMR Berghofer is seeking collaborative partners to generate bi-specific antibodies for the collaboration, while QIMR Berghofer would undertake biology for the collaboration.

Pipeline of novel anti-inflammatory proteins from hookworms for various autoimmune and allergic disorders James Cook University (JCU) is developing a suite of protein molecules for various autoimmune and allergic disorders. Using its expertise in hookworm biology and recombinant protein production and development, JCU has identified a pipeline of proteins that show anti-inflammatory activity in in-vitro assays in in-vivo mouse models of disease, specifically ulcerative colitis and asthma.

JCU is interested in progressing identified candidate proteins through development in collaboration with industry partners in the autoimmune/allergy area.

Queensland research institutes are all working to take local research to the global market.

• Griffith University–Griffith Enterprise Mr Ujjwal Dua, Business and Innovation Manager, Life Sciences

u.dua@griffith.edu.au + 61 7 5678 7536 griffith.edu.au/griffith-enterprise

• James Cook University–Innovation and Commercialisation Mr Mohan Sridhar, Innovation and Commercialisation Associate

mohan.sridhar@jcu.edu.au + 61 7 4781 6458 jcu.edu.au

• QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute + 61 7 3362 0222 qimrberghofer.edu.au

• Queensland University of Technology–qutbluebox enquiries@qutbluebox.com.au + 61 7 3138 9420 qut.edu.au/research/commercialisation-qut-bluebox

• The University of Queensland–UniQuest enquiries@uniquest.com.au + 61 7 3365 4037 uniquest.com.au

• University of Southern Queensland–Office of Research Development, Dr Erin Rayment, Director

erin.rayment@usq.edu.au + 61 7 3470 4611 usq.edu.au/research

For more Queensland collaboration opportunities visit qld.gov.au/InvestInScience

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University commercialisation contacts

Easy-to-find research capabilitiesQueensland boasts a critical mass of research centres across a range of sectors.

Some of our leading organisations and centres are listed below.

Further details are available online by searching the Queensland science capability directory. qld.gov.au/ScienceDirectory

Queensland universities11 Australian Catholic University

9 Bond University 4 Central Queensland University10 21 Griffith University1 2 James Cook University13 17 Queensland University of Technology 15 The University of Queensland6 22 University of Southern Queensland8 University of the Sunshine Coast

Biotechnology15 Australian Institute for Bioengineering and

Nanotechnology 14 Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine

Development13 Genomics Research Centre21 Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery17 Institute for Future Environments15 Institute for Molecular Bioscience13 Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation15 Nanomaterials Centre15 Queensland Bioscience Precinct19 Translational Research Institute

Clinical trials10 Genomics Clinical Trials Centre19 Translational Research Institute15 Centre for Integrated Preclinical Drug Development10 Menzies Health Institute Queensland15 Centre for Clinical Research10 Institute for Glycomics16 Mater Research

Food and agriculture2 Australian Tropical Science and Innovation Precinct 15 Centre for Nutrition and Food Science 17 Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities18 Ecosciences Precinct 20 Health and Food Sciences Precinct 3 Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant15 Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation

Health and medical1 2 Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine14 Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre10 Menzies Health Institute Queensland14 QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute14 Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development19 Diamantina Institute19 Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence21 Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery21 Compounds Australia10 Institute for Glycomics12 Wesley Medical Research BioBank20 Princess Alexandra Hospital and Translational

Research Institute16 Health and Food Sciences Precinct14 Mater Research and Mater Research Institute15 Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital15 Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research15 Queensland Brain Institute15 Institute for Molecular Bioscience10 Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct

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Discover more about life sciences opportunities in Queensland Australia

For more information about Queensland, visit:

Jobs qld.gov.au/jobs

Study studyqueensland.qld.edu.au

Establishing business.qld.gov.au

Holidaying in Queensland queenslandholidays.com.au

Moving to Queensland migration.qld.gov.au

Visit the Queensland Science Capability Directory for information on Queensland’s key research capabilities and science expertise. qld.gov.au/ScienceDirectory

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Science Division Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation

qld.gov.au/LifeSciences

#qldscience

+61 7 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

Advanced manufacturing

Biotechnology

Engineering

Environment and nature

Food and agriculture

Health and medical

ICT and multimedia

Life sciences

Tropical

For investment and collaboration opportunities, visit qld.gov.au/InvestInScience