NeuRA’s inaugural Industry Open Day was held on 13 August 2025, bringing together our researchers with representatives of the pharmaceutical industry.

The day was designed to foster opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry, clinicians and researchers to collaboratively address areas of community need.

We were delighted to present a rich and diverse array of premium presenters from the Randwick Health & Innovation Precenict; Teva (major sponsor); Eli Lilly (sponsor); and Roche Diagnostics.

The Hon David Harris, NSW Minister for Medical Research, generously gave the opening address and Tobi Wilson, outgoing Chief Executive of SESLHD, responded.

A panel discussion about career pathways sparked lively debate, seguing into opportunities for networking.

Industry speakers included:

• 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 discussed 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, talked about cognition as the new frontier in medical research.
• Dr Anand Vairavan & Mr Kenny Lean from Roche Diagnostics outlined the pathway from what you do to what they do – from research into approved practice.

Precinct partner speakers included:

• Professor Robert Lindeman is the Director of Clinical Transformation for NSW Health Pathology and described the tangible benefits from their partnership with NeuRA.
• Professor Stephen Tisch is Head of Department of Neurology, St Vincent’s Sydney and unpacked 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 explored the relationship between discovery, industry and policy.
• Professor Bruce Neal, Executive Director of the George Institute and Professor of Medicine at UNSW Sydney, brought his vast experience to bear in discussing how to make Australia clinical trial-competitive.

Careers in Science panel speakers included:

• 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.

Research Groups

For more information on the following groups, please click on links:

The Kiernan Group

NeuRA Imaging

The Sydney Brain Bank

Laboratory of Immunopsychology