NeuRA’s inaugural Industry Open Day will be held on Wed 13 August, bringing together our researchers with representatives of the pharmaceutical industry.

The day’s primary objective is to foster opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry, clinicians and researchers to collaboratively address areas of community need.

We’ve secured a rich and diverse array of premium presenters from the precinct; Teva (major sponsor); Eli Lilly (sponsor); and Roche Diagnostics.

The Hon David Harris, NSW Minister for Medical Research, will give the opening address and Tobi Wilson, outgoing Chief Executive of SESLHD, will respond.

We will also have a panel discussion about career pathways as well as opportunities for networking.

Industry speakers will include:

• Mr Jim Margaritis is General Manager Australia and New Zealand at Teva Pharmaceuticals, a company that serves 200 million people each day with over 3,500 products, and will discuss the power of research, and the outcomes that can follow.
• Dr Vinay Prusty, Executive Director of Lilly Australia, a company whose drugs are a key part of our Alzheimer’s Disease trials, will talk about cognition as the new frontier in medical research.
• Dr Anand Vairavan & Mr Kenny Lean from Roche Diagnostics will outline the pathway from what you do to what they do – from research into approved practice.

Precinct partner speakers will include:

• Professor Robert Lindeman is the Director of Clinical Transformation for NSW Health Pathology and will describe the tangible benefits from their partnership with NeuRA.
• Professor Stephen Tisch is Head of Department of Neurology, St Vincent’s Sydney and will unpack the effective ways he connects with industry.
• Professor Michelle Farrar is Specialist Child Neurologist at the Sydney Children’s Hospital and Professor of Paediatric Neurology at UNSW Sydney – she will explore the relationship between discovery, industry and policy.
• Professor Bruce Neal, Executive Director of the George Institute and Professor of Medicine at UNSW Sydney, will bring his vast experience to bear in discussing how to make Australia clinical trial-competitive.

Careers in Science panel speakers will include:

• Dr Collette Behrens has over 20 years’ experience in preclinical drug development, including vaccines, therapeutic proteins, and antibodies. She has worked across biotech and pharma, leading programs from early discovery through to FDA regulatory submissions, and is now Senior Director, Discovery Biology at Teva Australia.
• Since completing a Bachelor of Pharmacy, Kenny Lean has held multiple Medical Advisor roles in various pharmaceutical organisations. Currently Business Development Lead and Medical Manager at Roche Diagnostics Australia, Kenny’s role includes responsibility for the Point of Care, Diabetes and Neuroscience portfolios.
• Ms Cheryl Maley is Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director at Starpharma with more than 25 years’ experience in the healthcare industry, notably leading the commercialisation of innovative treatments and delivering patient centric solutions in areas of high need. She is also a Director of NeuRA.

Program: