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Turning early-stage research into real therapies starts in the pre-clinical stage.

It requires specialised expertise, access to the right capabilities, and strong connections across academia, startups, and industry.

This full-day symposium brings together Melbourne’s biotech community, including researchers, academics, technology transfer professionals, startups, and industry partners, for an in-depth exploration of the pre-clinical pathway in drug development.

Through keynote talks, case studies, panel discussions, and networking sessions, attendees will:

Gain insights into essential pre-clinical steps, from target validation to candidate selection
Explore regulatory and commercialisation considerations in early-stage research
Learn from Melbourne-based companies and startups supporting pre-clinical translation
Hear firsthand experiences of translational researchers and biotech spin-outs
Connect with peers, build collaborations, and identify opportunities to accelerate translation

Join us to deepen your understanding of the pre-clinical landscape, strengthen connections across Melbourne’s biotech ecosystem, and accelerate the journey from discovery to therapy.

Speakers include:

Dr Andrew Nash, Ex-Chief Scientific Officer of CSL

Dr Nina Webster, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Dimerix Limited

Professor John Skerritt, Enterprise Professor in Health Research Impact at the University of Melbourne

A/Professor Tina Soulis, Founder & Director of Alithia Life Sciences

Andrew White, Senior Director CMC at CSL

Dr Kathy Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer of BioCurate

Dr Keith Dredge, Vice President of Preclinical Development at Gertrude Biomedical

Dr Belinda Huff, Associate Director of Small Molecule Therapeutics at BioCurate

Dr Frederico Calhabeu, Director of Cell and Gene Therapies at BioCurate

Dr Jaclyn Sceneay, Director of Biology at BioCurate

Investor Panel:

Dr John Kurek, Investment Director at Uniseed

Dr Kath Jackman, Investment Manager at Brandon Capital

Dr Siro Perez, Partner & Head of Life Sciences, APAC at IP Group

Michelle He, Investment Manager at Tin Alley Ventures

Dr Leigh Coultas, Portfolio and Operations Manager at WEHI Ventures

Academic Spin-Outs:

Dr Chris Langmead, Chief Executive Officer of Phrenix Therapeutics

Filippa Shub, Chief Operating Officer of Inosi Therapeutics

Dr Julie Monk, Operations Manager of Resseptor Therapeutics

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This symposium is sponsored by:

About the organisers:

Jumar Bioincubator provides early-stage and scaling biotech ventures with affordable lab and office space, practical support, and community activities to unlock the potential in early scientific discoveries. Jumar was established by CSL, WEHI and the University of Melbourne, with backing from innovation investor Breakthrough Victoria and operator Cicada Innovations. Our mission is to connect early-stage biotech ventures with the support they need to progress discoveries towards real-world treatments and therapies, build a critical mass of scientists with the knowledge and confidence to run successful biomedical ventures - and the power to influence and impact global health outcomes.

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NOTE: You may be photographed or videod while attending this event and your photo may be use for future marketing purposes by the organisers and their event collaboration partners: please approach the organiser if you have questions, concerns, or do not wish this to happen.