Episoder
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In this episode of the LSWA podcast, host Tracey Wilkinson interviews Fleta Solomon and Michael Winlo, two experts in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy and medical cannabis. They discuss the potential of these treatments to revolutionise mental health care and provide a more holistic approach to patient care.
The conversation begins with a focus on the use of cannabis to achieve high THC effects for certain patients. Fleta and Mike emphasise the importance of therapy in every treatment plan, whether it be through coaching, encouragement, or support in using medication effectively. They stress that therapy is a key component in personalised treatment, aiming to make symptoms more manageable rather than curing the underlying disease.
The discussion then shifts to psychedelic-assisted therapy, particularly MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. Fleta and Mike share remarkable results from studies showing significant improvement in patients' symptoms and even full remission from PTSD criteria. They explain the need for a team of therapists, doctors, special facilities, and tightly regulated medications to deliver these treatments effectively.
Fleta and Mike delve into the history of psychedelics and their therapeutic potential, highlighting the ongoing research and regulatory changes happening globally. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of providing access to these treatments in Australia, where there is a limited number of trained psychiatrists and specialised clinics. Despite the obstacles, they remain optimistic about the potential impact of psychedelics on mental health care.
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The LSWA podcast is brought to you by Life Sciences WA. Stay updated on LSWA and connect by visiting our website, https://www.lifescienceswa.com.au.
This show is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.
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In this episode of the LSWA podcast, host Tracey Wilkinson sits down with Natalie Barber, the director of Clinical Operations at Chrysalis Advisory, and Professor Peter Richmond from the University of Western Australia.
Natalie and Peter discuss their respective roles in the clinical trial space. Peter, a paediatrician, focuses on improving children's health by conducting research on vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. He shares his involvement in every stage of the clinical trial process, from vaccine design to regulatory advisory boards.
Natalie's role is to support clinician researchers like Peter in delivering complex clinical trials. She explains the importance of understanding the protocols, engaging participating sites, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
The conversation covers the structured pathway that a drug or device must follow before being approved for the market. Natalie breaks down the phases of a clinical trial, starting from preclinical studies in the laboratory, progressing to phase 1, phase 2, and phase 3 trials involving larger populations, and even continuing with phase 4 post-marketing surveillance. She emphasises the time commitment and financial investment required, as well as the need for multicenter trials to gather data from different jurisdictions.
Throughout the episode, Natalie and Peter provide valuable insights into the world of clinical trials and the importance of evidence-based medicine. Their combined expertise offers a comprehensive understanding of the processes behind bringing new medical treatments to market.
We’d love your feedback on this podcast series, please take a moment to complete this short survey: https://forms.office.com/r/W0R1cEtMjh
The LSWA podcast is brought to you by Life Sciences WA. To stay updated on LSWA and connect, visit our website https://www.lifescienceswa.com.au
This show is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.
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In this episode of the Investor Meets Innovator Podcast, host Peter Birch sits down with Paul Anderson, the Managing Director of Orthocell. With over 25 years of experience in the medical space and a background in device development and regenerative medicine, Paul shares his insights on the life sciences industry and the journey of bringing innovative medical technologies to market.
Paul discusses the challenges and opportunities in the healthcare industry, particularly in Western Australia where the economy is heavily reliant on the mining industry. He emphasises the importance of intellectual property protection and the role it plays in generating value in products and advancements in manufacturing.
Through his own experiences with Orthocell, Paul highlights the crucial elements for success in the life sciences, including multidisciplinary teams, funding, faith, and patience. He dives into the lengthy and complex pathway to market for medical devices and pharmaceutical products, shedding light on the challenges investors in the industry need to understand and navigate.
Paul also shares the story of Orthocell's pioneering technique to treat tetraplegic patients, resulting in improved mobility and life-changing outcomes for patients like Adrian. He explains the role of patient advocates, surgeons, and government support in developing successful and marketable technologies.
We’d love your feedback on this podcast series, please take a moment to complete this short survey: https://forms.office.com/r/W0R1cEtMjh
The Investor Meets Innovator Podcast is brought to you by Life Sciences WA. To stay updated on LSWA and connect, visit our website https://www.lifescienceswa.com.au
This show is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.
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In this episode of LSWA Investor Meets Innovator, Host Tracey Wilkinson talks with Simon Handford and Angela Fonceca about the challenges and complexities of tech transfer offices and taking research to commercialisation. They discuss the challenges of taking an innovation from academia and industry, the slow pace of negotiations, issues with funding commitments from industry partners, and the role of technology transfer offices in aiding researchers.
They talk about the importance of managing expectations with various stakeholders and balancing academic records with commercialisation efforts, and the pressure on researchers and the need for clear communication to protect their work.
We’d love your feedback on this podcast series, please take a moment to complete this short survey: https://forms.office.com/r/W0R1cEtMjh
The LSWA Podcast is brought to you by Life Sciences WA. Stay updated on LSWA and connect by visiting our website https://www.lifescienceswa.com.au
This show is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network — the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.
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In this episode of the Investor Meets Innovator Podcast, host Peter Birch is joined by Ian Brown, Executive Chairman, and Intan Oldakowska, Chief Scientific Officer, of Rex Ortho. They discuss the journey of Rex Ortho, a platform technology company focused on orthopaedic fixations, particularly in proximal femoral fractures.
Intan shares the background of Rex Ortho, which started in 2012 when she and her co-founder, Matt Oldakowski, were approached by a surgeon with a need for a solution to fixation failures. Intan and Matt embarked on their PhD research, learning about biomechanical engineering, regulatory requirements, and commercialisation. After several pivots and investments, they are now preparing for a clinical trial.
Ian, who joined the organisation later, talks about his decision to invest in Rex Ortho. He was drawn to the idea because it came from a surgeon with a genuine need, and he appreciated the effort and investment Intan and Matt put into understanding the market and gathering feedback from surgeons. Ian conducted his due diligence by interviewing surgeons and industry executives to assess the potential of the technology.
Throughout the episode, listeners gain insight into the challenges and successes of launching a healthcare startup, the importance of collaboration between clinicians and engineers, and the balance between financial returns and positive impact in healthcare investments.
To learn more about Rex Ortho and their innovative orthopaedic fixations, visit their website https://www.rexortho.com.au/
We’d love your feedback on this podcast series, please take a moment to complete this short survey: https://forms.office.com/r/W0R1cEtMjh
The LSWA Podcast is brought to you by Life Sciences WA. Stay updated on LSWA and connect by visiting our website https://www.lifescienceswa.com.au
This show is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network — the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.
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In this episode of the Investor Meets Innovator Podcast, host Peter Birch speaks with Arjun Balaji, an analyst with a clinical background at Tenmile, a venture capital firm in Perth, Western Australia. Arjun shares his background in medicine and his journey into the world of biotech startups before transitioning to investing.
In this episode Arjun discusses the importance of bridging the gap between clinicians and the technologies they use day-to-day. He highlights how investing in life sciences allows for both commercial success and positive impact. The conversation delves into the definitions of impact investing, philanthropy, and angel investing, and the role they play in the healthcare industry.
Learn about the mission of Tenmile to further the Australian biotech ecosystem through early-stage life sciences investing.
To learn more about Tenmile and their investments, visit https://www.tenmile.com/
We’d love your feedback on this podcast series, please take a moment to complete this short survey: https://forms.office.com/r/W0R1cEtMjh
The Investor Meets Innovator Podcast is brought to you by Life Sciences WA. To stay updated on LSWA and connect, visit our website https://www.lifescienceswa.com.au
This show is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.
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In this episode of the Investor Meets Innovator Podcast, host Peter Birch sits down with Dr Melissa McBurnie, Partner and Head of Impact at Brandon Capital.
You will hear about how Brandon Capital approaches investing with impact in the life sciences and get some insights into the processes that they use when making an investment in this space. You will also learn about the role balancing financial returns plays in creating positive impact.
Links & Resources:
- AusBiotech: https://www.ausbiotech.org/
- MTPConnect: https://www.mtpconnect.org.au/
- Life Sciences WA: https://www.lifescienceswa.com.au/
- Brandon Capital Partners: https://brandoncapital.vc/
- Brandon BioCatalyst: https://brandoncapital.vc/brandon-biocatalyst/
- Brandon Capital on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandon-capital/
We’d love your feedback on this podcast series, please take a moment to complete this short survey: https://forms.office.com/r/W0R1cEtMjh
The Investor Meets Innovator Podcast is brought to you by Life Sciences WA. To stay updated on LSWA and connect, visit our website
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In this episode of the Life Sciences WA Podcast, Dr Tara Speranza discusses her work as a healthcare and biotech analyst at Bell Potter Securities.
Dr Speranza is part of a group of three analysts who cover the healthcare and biotech sector in Australia, focusing on companies listed on the ASX. She has a background in molecular biology and endocrinology and has worked on various projects in the pharmaceutical industry.
Dr Speranza explains that as an analyst, she focuses on analysing the financial performance of healthcare and biotech companies, as well as their product pipelines and potential for growth. This involves looking at a wide range of factors, including a company's revenue and profit margins, its market share and competitors, and its ability to develop and commercialise new products and services.
Dr Speranza also discusses the unique challenges and opportunities in the healthcare industry. She notes that the industry is highly regulated, with strict rules governing the development and approval of new drugs and medical devices. This can make it difficult for companies to bring new products to market, but it also ensures that only safe and effective products are available to patients.
In addition, Dr Speranza emphasises the need to stay up-to-date on the latest scientific and technological developments in the field. She notes that the healthcare industry is constantly evolving, with new breakthroughs and innovations emerging all the time. As an analyst, she must be able to understand and interpret these developments in order to provide accurate and useful insights to her clients.
When it comes to investing in the life sciences industry in Western Australia, Dr Speranza believes that there are many exciting opportunities, particularly in the areas of biotechnology and medical technology. She encourages investors to do their due diligence and carefully evaluate the potential risks and rewards of different investments. She also emphasises the importance of building a diverse portfolio and being willing to take calculated risks in order to achieve success.
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Investment in life sciences in Western Australia is an area of great interest, as shown by the recent Life Sciences WA podcast episode featuring guests Greg Riebe and Steve Elias.
Riebe is a company director and angel investor with decades of experience in commercialising emerging technologies and is currently a Commercialisation Facilitator for the AusIndustry Accelerating Commercialisation service, while Elias has over 20 years of experience in the field, including working with the federal government's R&D tax incentive program in his role with RSM.
The episode focused on the role of federal government incentives in supporting life sciences investment in Australia.
Riebe discussed his work with the federal government's Accelerating Commercialisation service, which provides non-dilutive funding to help demonstrate the value proposition of new technologies.
Elias explained the purpose of the R&D tax incentive program, which has been in place since 1986 and is designed to support and encourage businesses to engage in R&D activities that benefit the economy.
One of the key challenges in the life sciences space is the high level of risk involved in developing new technologies. This is where government incentives can play a crucial role in providing support and reducing this risk for investors. These incentives can help businesses demonstrate the value of their technologies, attract private investment, and ultimately bring new products and services to market.
Western Australia is well-positioned to take advantage of these incentives due to its strong research institutions and growing life sciences sector. The state is home to world-class research institutes like the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and the Telethon Kids Institute, which are driving the development of innovative technologies in the life sciences space.
Overall, the Life Sciences WA podcast episode highlighted the importance of government incentives in supporting life sciences investment in Western Australia. These incentives can help reduce the risks associated with investing in the sector, encourage private investment, and ultimately drive the development and commercialisation of new technologies.
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This episode features conversations with Paul Watt, Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Avicena Systems and Liddy McCall, Director of Yuuwa Ventures
Investment in life sciences in Western Australia has grown significantly in recent years. This growth has been driven by several factors, including the state's strong research and development infrastructure, its highly educated workforce, and its supportive government policies. In an interview on the Life Sciences WA Podcast, local investor Liddy McCall and serial medtech entrepreneur Dr Paul Watt, discussed the state of life sciences investment in Western Australia and shared some valuable lessons for other investors.
One of the key challenges facing life sciences investors in Western Australia is the high cost of conducting clinical trials. These trials are essential for proving the safety and effectiveness of new medical treatments, but they can be very expensive and time-consuming. To address this challenge, the government has introduced a number of initiatives to support clinical trial activity, including providing funding and other forms of support to researchers and companies.
Another important factor for investors is the availability of skilled workers. Western Australia has a strong education system, with many high-quality universities and research institutes producing a steady stream of highly trained professionals. This has helped to create a vibrant life sciences ecosystem, with a wide range of companies working on cutting-edge research and development.
A key lesson for investors is the importance of building relationships with key stakeholders, such as researchers, government agencies, and industry partners. These relationships can provide valuable insights and support and can help to accelerate the development and commercialisation of new technologies.
Another important lesson is the need to be patient and persistent. Developing new medical treatments can be a long and complex process, with many challenges and setbacks along the way. Investors need to be willing to stick with a project for the long haul, and to be flexible and adaptable in the face of changing circumstances.
Overall, Western Australia offers a strong environment for life sciences investment, with a range of supportive policies, a highly educated workforce, and a thriving research and development ecosystem. Investors looking to enter this market should be prepared for the challenges and opportunities that come with working in this dynamic and fast-changing field.
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In this episode of the Life Sciences WA Podcast, Dr Bi Mian discusses his work with the Australian Medical Angels, a medical syndicate that focuses on investing in HealthTech start-ups in Australia. Dr Mian, who is a medical doctor and runs a multi-specialist medical centre in regional New South Wales, founded the group with his co-founder Dr Amandeep Hansra. The group, which has 600 members, is unique in that it consists of verified clinicians across the medical and dental fields.
Dr Mian explains that the syndicate allows doctors to invest in start-ups without having to put up large amounts of money individually. Through the syndicate, doctors can invest as little as $5,000 and still be part of a larger investment in a company. This allows doctors to have a say in the direction of the healthcare industry and invest in products and services that they will be using in their own practices.
The Australian Medical Angels have invested in a number of start-ups, including a telehealth platform, a mental health app, and a company that uses artificial intelligence to analyse medical images. Dr Mian believes that the key to successful investing in the healthcare industry is to focus on solving real problems that clinicians face on a daily basis. He also emphasises the importance of being passionate about the work and having a deep understanding of the industry.
Overall, Dr Mian believes that the western Australian life sciences industry has a bright future, with a strong focus on biotechnology and medical technology. He encourages aspiring entrepreneurs in the field to take the time to learn about the industry and develop a deep understanding of the problems they are trying to solve. By doing so, they can create successful and innovative solutions that will make a real difference in the lives of patients.
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In this podcast episode of the Life Sciences WA Podcast, the guest was Bronwyn LeGrice, CEO of ANDHealth. The focus of the discussion was on investing and commercialising digital health.
LeGrice introduced herself and discussed her background, which included seven years in venture capital and over 20 years in the commercialisation of medical technologies, including setting up and Health. She explained that ANDHealth is Australia's only dedicated digital health commercialisation company.
When asked to define digital health, LeGrice said that it is the application of technology and software with or without connected devices to change the healthcare paradigm. She emphasised that at and Health, they focus on what they call "evidence-based digital health", or digital health where clinical and/or commercial evidence is required to enable a technology to make it to market.
LeGrice also discussed the potential for digital health to improve the efficiency of the healthcare system, and how ANDHealth helps companies in the digital health space to be investment ready. She stressed the importance of having a solid business plan and a strong team, as well as understanding the regulatory landscape.
Overall, the discussion highlighted the potential for investment in the digital health space, and the importance of commercialising technologies with clinical and commercial evidence in order to bring them to market.
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Dr Alma Fulurija
Dr Alma Fulurija is the Head of the Strep A Vaccines team at Telephone Kids Institute. In this interview, she discussed the process of vaccine development, which is a long, expensive, and high-risk process, but has the potential for high rewards if successful. The Covid-19 pandemic has shown that vaccine development can be done faster with more money and collaboration.
Dr Fulurija discussed the different phases of vaccine development, including the discovery phase, where researchers try to understand the biology of the disease they are trying to treat and identify the target they want to eliminate. This is followed by the pre-clinical development phase, where researchers conduct experiments on cells and animals to assess the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
Next is the clinical development phase, which involves testing the vaccine on human volunteers in a series of clinical trials to evaluate its safety and efficacy in different age groups and populations. The final phase is manufacturing, where the vaccine is produced on a large scale for distribution.
Dr Fulurija emphasised the importance of funding and collaboration in the vaccine development process. She also discussed the potential for growth in the life sciences sector in Western Australia, highlighting the state's strong track record in this area. She emphasised the importance of supporting and investing in early-stage companies in the sector.
In addition to discussing the vaccine development process, Fulurija also touched on the challenges and obstacles that can arise during this process. She discussed the need for regulatory approval and the importance of gaining the trust and support of the public. She also talked about the role of the government in providing funding and support for vaccine development.
Dr Fulurija also highlighted the potential benefits of vaccines, not only in terms of protecting individuals from infectious diseases, but also in terms of public health and economic benefits. She discussed the potential for vaccines to prevent outbreaks and control the spread of infectious diseases, thus reducing the need for expensive medical interventions and allowing for a healthier and more productive population.
In conclusion, Dr Fulurija emphasised the importance of continued investment and support for the life sciences sector, particularly in the area of vaccine development. She highlighted the potential for growth and success in this area, as well as the potential benefits for public health and the economy.
Dr Martine Kenan
Dr Martine Keenan is the Chief Innovation Officer for Melbourne-based company Synthesis Research. In this interview, she discussed the process of drug development, starting with the patient need and working backwards to identify potential therapies. Keenan emphasised the importance of early-stage research and the need to conduct experiments on cells and animals before moving on to clinical trials.
She discussed the challenges and obstacles that can arise during the drug development process, including the need for regulatory approval and the importance of gaining the trust and support of the public. She also talked about the role of the government in providing funding and support for drug development.
In terms of Western Australia, Dr Keenan highlighted the state's strong track record in life sciences and the potential for further growth in the sector. She also discussed the importance of supporting and investing in early-stage companies in the life sciences sector.
Dr Keenan emphasised the potential benefits of new therapies and treatments, not only in terms of improving patient outcomes, but also in terms of public health and economic benefits. She discussed the potential for new drugs to prevent and treat diseases, thus improving the health and productivity of the...
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Glenn Butcher is the CEO of FundWA, a venture capital firm focused on investing in technology-enabled innovation businesses in Western Australia.
In this interview, he discussed the potential for growth and success in this area, highlighting the state's strong track record in life sciences research and the potential for commercialising this research into products and services.
Butcher discussed the different types of organisations and products that might be of interest to investors in the life sciences sector, including drug development, medical devices, and digital therapeutics.
He emphasised the need for investment in this area, particularly in the form of early-stage funding, to support the development and commercialisation of these products.
Butcher also discussed the challenges and obstacles that can arise in the life sciences sector, including the need for regulatory approval and the importance of gaining the trust and support of the public.
He also talked about the role of the government in providing funding and support for the life sciences sector.
In conclusion, Butcher emphasised the potential for growth and success in the life sciences sector in Western Australia, highlighting the state's strong track record in this area and the potential for creating value and improving public health through the development and commercialisation of new products and services.
