SMART CRC 2026 Conference

Agenda

• 9:00 am - 10:00 am

  Registration, networking & tea and coffee

  Start the day by connecting with colleagues, industry partners, researchers, investors and stakeholders from across the regenerative therapies ecosystem.

• 10:00 am - 10:30 am

  Official opening

  The conference will officially commence with welcome addresses from the Queensland Government, Bond University and SMART CRC leadership (Assistant Minister Hermann Vorster MP, Prof Keitha Dunstan, Prof Simon Cool)

• 10:30 am - 11:20 am

  Plenary and fireside conversation with Dr Robert Klupacs

  Improving lives and building an industry by harnessing Australian innovation. The opportunity and the challenge. Reflections and learnings from 40 years at the coalface.

• 11:20 am - 11:45 pm

  Morning tea

  Take the opportunity to network and mingle with fellow delegates.

• 11:45 pm - 12:30 pm

  Driving national impact: what we've learned from CRC leadership

  CRC leaders including Dr Leanna Read, Jane O'Dwyer, Dr Tony Peacock and Dr Ian Dagley will share their perspectives on building high-performing, industry-led collaborations, providing insights to inform the next generation of research translation and sovereign capability.

• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

  LUNCH and Corrigan Walk (optional activity)

  Enjoy lunch, networking and as an optional activity, delegates are welcome to join a guided walking tour of the art, history and indigenous sites at the Bond University campus.

• 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

  MIDDLE SESSION Option 1. The business of regenerative therapies: practical masterclasses for growth

  These rapid-fire, high-impact discussions will provide practical insights into the business of regenerative therapies and advanced manufacturing. Sessions will be by registration only and run by industry experts. Topics are: 1) Building the workforce of the future: strategies for scaling the regenerative therapies sector (Kerry McMahon: KE Select CEO and Founder) 2) Capital ready: securing investment in today’s biomedical market (Professor Trent Munro: Brandon Capital Venture Partner & Boggo Road Innovation Junction General Manager) 3) From research to clinic: navigating translation, regulation and common pitfalls (Associate Professor Tina Soulis: Alithia Life Sciences Director and Founder) 4) Intellectual property and commercialisation: structuring R&D for long-term success (Melissa Miller: McCullough Robertson Partner and Dr Beshara Sheehan: James & Wells, Trainee Patent Attorney)

• 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

  MIDDLE SESSION Option 2. Five minutes. Big impact: innovation in motion, SMART CRC partner and associate announcements

  These quick-fire, five-minute presentations will highlight significant achievements, strategic announcements and innovations making a difference across the regenerative therapies ecosystem.

• 2:30 pm - 3:25 pm

  The purpose behind the investment: advancing outcomes through innovation

  Improving healthcare outcomes is the ultimate measure of success. This session will explore how innovation across the regenerative therapies supply chain, supported by collaborative initiatives such as the SMART CRC, is accelerating access to treatment, improving operational excellence, and delivering better outcomes for patients, families, and healthcare systems. Panel moderator: Dr Matthew Hewitt: Charles River Laboratories, Chief Technical Officer of the Manufacturing Business Division. Panellists: Dr Dawn Driscoll: Skin2Neuron Dr Michael Wagels: Herston Biofabrication Institute Professor Justin Cooper-White: The University of Queensland

• 3:25 pm - 3:45 pm

  Afternoon Tea

  Take the opportunity to mingle and network with fellow delegates.

• 3:45 pm - 4:20 pm

  Host state research spotlight

  These short case studies will demonstrate how Queensland-led research is creating impact and underpinning solutions for industry. Featuring 3 x ten-minute updates from The University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology and Bond University researchers. The University of Queensland: Dr Mark Allenby Queensland University of Technology: Associate Professor Indira Prasadam Bond University: Dr Nigel Barnett

• 4:20 pm - 4:50 pm

  Final keynote presentation with Ms Lusia Guthrie AM

  Australia is home to world-leading biomedical research, yet our global competitiveness depends on our ability to translate discovery into tangible or outcomes. This keynote will explore the opportunities, challenges and partnerships required to bridge the gap between research, industry and commercialisation, and to transform scientific excellence into sovereign capability, economic growth and improved health outcomes. As the final session of the conference, this keynote will provide an opportunity to synthesise the themes and discussions from throughout the day while offering a forward-looking perspective on Australia's path to becoming a global leader in translating innovation into impact.

• 4:50 pm - 5:00 pm

  Closing remarks from the SMART CRC Board Chair- Dr Leanna Read

  SMART CRC Board Chair Dr Leanna Read will run the conference's final session to connect the insights, opportunities and challenges discussed throughout the day and offer a compelling vision for building globally competitive industries from Australian innovation.

• 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

  Networking drinks celebration

  Join fellow delegates, speakers, industry leaders and researchers for an informal networking reception to conclude the conference. This is an opportunity to continue the conversations sparked throughout the day, strengthen existing partnerships, and explore new opportunities for collaboration across Australia's regenerative therapies ecosystem.