Led by MTPConnect and spearheaded by Minister for Industry & Science Hon Ed Husic MP, the Australian delegation of nearly 500 delegates showcased the nation’s innovative biotech companies and organisations.
MTPConnect organized a comprehensive program of business-building activities to complement the main conference as well as highlighting and connecting Australia’s cutting-edge biotech sector to the world. This included a two-day tour of San Diego’s biotech ecosystem visiting industry leaders like Novartis, Illumina, Truvian, and JLABS San Diego, as well as an epic Global Welcome Reception and the Australian Women in Life Sciences Leadership Forum.
Additionally, Western Australian and South Australian contingents collaborated on a pre-conference event, ‘Bridgewest Connects: Linking Global Biotech to South and Western Australia’. This special private reception, hosted by the Bridgewest Group, provided attendees with a unique networking opportunity outside the city’s hustle and bustle.
Prominent Bridgewest companies such as BioCina, NovaCina, LumaCina, and BioOra showcased their commitment to unlocking Australia’s biotech potential through investing in facilities in WA and South Australia. The event was coordinated by WA’s Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, SA’s Department for Trade and Investment, and MTPConnect through the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub and MTPConnect Adelaide Intermediary Program, alongside the Bridgewest Group.
During the event, attendees enjoyed gourmet refreshments sourced from both states while discussing topics such as cutting-edge research and manufacturing facilities, government support, leading clinical trial providers, and attractive tax benefits that make Australia a prime destination for biotech and medtech ventures. The reception drew national and international dignitaries, biotechnology leaders, and investors who gained firsthand insights into investment opportunities in Australia, particularly through Bridgewest’s operations in Perth and Adelaide.
During the conference, MTPConnect and the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub’s Director of Stakeholder Engagement, Dr Tracey Wilkinson, along with MTPConnect colleagues Jo Glew, Jo Close and Tamlyn O’Connor connected international visitors to Australian companies and capabilities showcased on the Australian pavilion.
Dr Wilkinson emphasized the importance of the Hub’s role as ecosystem connectors.
“At the Hub, we often describe ourselves as a ‘concierge service,’ in that we connect people, resources, and opportunities across all parts of the ecosystem.
“Delegations like BIO allow us to do that for our WA innovators and startups on the world stage in person and at scale. The Australian pavilion was a constant buzz of activity throughout the conference highlighting the growing interest in Australian biotech innovations,” said Dr Wilkinson.
To help prepare delegates for the conference, the Hub offered several skills development sessions to ensure WA delegates were ready to maximize their BIO experience – including the ‘Team WA at BIO Information Session’, ‘Preparing for Partnering: Planning for a Productive Conference’ and ‘Preparing for Partnering: Pitching to Your Audience’. These opportunities were designed to help delegates optimize networking opportunities and refine their pitches in front of pitching experts. Additionally, the ‘Profile Media Workshop: Communicating Your Unique Value Proposition’ enhanced companies’ ability to communicate their unique value propositions effectively.
The WA delegation included 26 delegates from 16 organizations and was promoted in partnership with the WA Government. A notable highlight was emerging WA company Lixa’s selection for the BIO2024 Bio Startup Stadium, where Lixa was selected to pitch its anti-infective biotechnology to an international audience.
Dr Wilkinson explained that pitch events, networking, and partnering meetings are all important aspects of the BIO experience.
“The value of face-to-face engagement is powerful when building long-term strategic relationships with partners, investors, and potential customers.
“Delegations to international partnering events like BIO are an important vehicle for our biotech sector to connect with the world and ensure that our companies are well positioned to grow globally from WA,” said Dr Wilkinson.
Looking ahead to BIO 2025, the convention will be held in Boston from 16-19 June. Book in the date and watch this space for more information.
