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SOUTH AUSTRALIAN’S KEY ROLE ON NATIONAL BIOTECH COUNCIL

One of South Australia's leading biotechnology business executives, Dr Deborah Rathjen of Bionomics Limited, has been appointed as a key industry representative on the Federal Government's newly-formed Australian Biotechnology Advisory Council (ABAC).

Dr Rathjen, Bionomics Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, will work with an outstanding line-up of Australia's biomedical scientists from leading research institutes, as well as key representatives from industry.

The ABAC has been formed to ensure Australia's emerging biotech industry is competitive in world markets. The Council will advise the Government on priority issues, research and development (R&D), international links, commercialisation, public interest and ethics. The Council was announced by the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources and Chair of the Commonwealth Biotechnology Ministerial Council, Ian Macfarlane,

Dr Rathjen brings to the council strong business skills in commercialising intellectual property, R&D and negotiating international partnerships. She said she was honoured to represent the biotechnology industry on the ABAC.

"This is a time of enormous challenge and opportunity for Australian biotech. It is a sector where our biomedical discoveries and intellectual property are recognised as world class. I see the ABAC as a very positive Federal Government initiative and I look forward to working with my fellow council members to ensure we advise the Government in a way that leads to growth and achievement for Australian biotech," she said.

"My appointment is also great recognition for the very solid South Australian biotech industry. We have a number of young companies based in Adelaide and I'm equally proud to be a South Australian providing a national input."

Joining Dr Rathjen on the ABAC are:

• Professor John Hearn, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), Australian National University, ACT (Chair);
• Dr Ken Reed, Research Director, Benitec Aust Ltd, QLD (Vice Chair);
• Professor John Shine, Executive Director, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, NSW;
• Professor Richard Wettenhall, Director, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, VIC;
• Dr Julia Playford, Director, Conservation Services, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, QLD;
• Mr Hugh Roberts, Head, NSW Farmers Federation Biotechnology Committee, NSW;
• Professor Peter Andrews, Co-Director of the Institute of Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, QLD; and,
• Mr Colin Armit, President, The Pharmaceutical Group, CSL Ltd, VIC.

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