RDA Hunter’s Health & Medtech Industry Cluster (HMIC) invites you to join us as we welcome

NSW’s Deputy Chief Scientist Dr Darran Saunders and the Head of Viral Immunology and Respiratory Disease group at HMRI, Professor Nathan Bartlett

to overview Australia’s new knowledge-led RNA ecosystem, how it is being activated in NSW and the opportunities it presents across a range of industries.

Wednesday 25th September 2024

9am – 11am (networking from 9am, formalities 9.50am)

The Atrium, Industry Development Centre, University Drive, Callaghan

The global RNA therapeutics market was valued at approximately $13.7 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to around $18.0 billion by 2028.

The RNA sector can contribute to our industrial transformation and advanced manufacturing capability, ensure we are manufacturing more in Australia, and improve healthcare for all Australians.

NSW has an opportunity to develop a research and training ecosystem in RNA technology to tap into this market and leverage the government’s investment in infrastructure

How?

Come and learn about opportunities across sectors including Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical, Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare and Clinical Trials, Information Technology and Data Science, Education and Training, Regulatory and Compliance, Supply Chain and Logistics.

REGISTER HERE

This event is supported by the University of Newcastle. Big thanks to the College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing!

DRAFT AGENDA

9am - Networking

9.50am - Welcome

9.55am - Dr Darren Saunders

10.15am - Q&A

10.25am - Prof Nathan Bartlett

10.45am - Q&A

11am - Event close

MORE ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS

Dr Darren Saunders

Darren is a Eureka Prize winning scientist, with over 20 years’ academic and industrial experience in cancer biology and neuroscience in Australia and North America. He is the NSW Deputy Chief Scientist & Engineer and Adjunct Associate Professor in Medical Sciences at the University of Sydney. He has held senior roles in peak professional bodies, leading policy and regulatory reforms in science and technology. Darren is a public advocate for gender equality. He has worked with former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick and Co as a senior advisor and data expert on numerous workplace cultural reviews, examining the nature and prevalence of sexual harm, bullying, racism and other forms of systemic discrimination in a range of organisations in the mining, aviation, education, arts and law enforcement sectors. Darren is a regular commentator on television and radio. When not doing science, Darren is a committed thalassophile. READ MORE ABOUT DARREN

Professor Nathan Bartlett

Nathan found lots of fascinatingly scary viruses during an early-career scholarship with the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong, Victoria, an experience which reinforced his interest in working in virology. From there, he took up a postdoctoral position at Oxford University where his research focused primarily on developing viral vector vaccines using the vaccinia virus, a relative of the virus that causes smallpox. And then to clinical-facing translational research, with a postdoctoral position at Imperial College London where he still an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Respiratory Medicine and Infection, National Heart and Lung Institute. Nathan is Head of Viral Immunology and Respiratory Disease group, HMRI
School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Assistant Dean Industry and Partnerships College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Associate Editor American Journal of Physiology – Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology and 2024 City of Newcastle Citizen of the Year READ MORE ABOUT NATHAN