NeuRA’s second Industry Open Day will be held on Wednesday September 30 2026, once more bringing together our researchers and colleagues across the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct with representatives of the pharmaceutical industry.

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

Once more we have arranged a stimulating roster of speakers from the Precinct; Teva (major sponsor); Eli Lilly (sponsor); and Roche Diagnostics.

The Hon David Harris, NSW Minister for Medical Research, returns to deliver the opening address and Leisa Rathborne, Chief Executive of SESLHD, will respond.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL PROGRAM.

Industry speakers include:

• We are pleased to welcome back Dr Manny Simons, managing director of Lilly Australia and New Zealand, to speak to Industry Career Pathways, including reflections on his own career successes. Dr Simons has an interesting story to share from being an undergraduate in neuroscience to selling his precision genetic medicine start-up to his current employer.
• Dr Niti Dawar, Lead Medical and Scientific Affairs at Roche Diagnostics, will join us for our Precision Diagnostics and Clinical Trials Symposium. Dr Dawar has nearly 20 years experience spanning lab medicine, pathology and medical affairs across India, the Asia-Pacific region and Australia. She will speak on linking diagnostics and therapeutics, ‘Enabling Earlier Intervention in Neurodegenerative Disease’, with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease diagnostics.
• Dr Phillip Fromm, Director of New Targets, Immunology and Neuroscience at Teva, will join us as we explore Research x Industry – Scaling Impact. Dr Fromm has more than 15 years of experience in biologics drug development and has built his career on translating scientific discoveries into potential new medicine.

Research speakers include:

• Renowned neurologist Professor Michael Barnett will join us to share his insights on imaging, artificial intelligence and the future of brain therapeutics. Drawing on his experience spanning clinical practice, research and medical technology innovation, Professor Barnett will provide a unique perspective on how emerging technologies are transforming the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disease.
• In a session chaired by our own Dr Steve Kassem, Professor Barnett will discuss Imaging, the Application of Artificial Intelligence Approaches, and the Future of Brain Therapeutics. We will also hear from Professor Pall Thordarson of the UNSW RNA Institute on The RNA Revolution: New Platforms for Precision Therapeutics.

Precinct speakers include:

• Professor Bronwyn Fox AO will join us to share her insights on ‘How to Scale Research: From Discovery to Industry-Ready Platforms’. Prof Fox is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) at UNSW Sydney, leading research and innovation to deliver societal and economic impact through world-class discovery, global partnerships, and research translation.An internationally recognised materials scientist, Prof Fox helped reshape carbon fibre and composite manufacturing, co-founded Carbon Nexus, and has driven advances in energy-efficient manufacturing, digital and AI technologies, contributed to new patents and global partnerships, plus more.