A new alliance has been announced by the Department of Defence, focused on building research collaborations between Australian universities, research institutes and SMEs to work on target research funded by the Defence and National Security sectors.
The “Safeguarding Australia through Biotechnology and Engagement” (SABRE) alliance will focus on improving cooperation between academia, industry, defence and national security. The three initial theme of the program have been identified as:
- Human performance and decision-making
- Genomics, bioinformatics and synthetic biology
- Agriculture and biosecurity
It is the belief the new framework would ensure defence and national security stakeholders have access to the latest biotech capabilities and will lead to the right questions being asked by the right people under the right framework.[i]
SABRE will aim to ensure that the defence and national security capitalise on new opportunities arising from biotech research and development conducted within Australia’s research and industry sectors. With a national focus, the SABRE alliance will draw together the right capabilities and capacities which currently exist in the biotech sector and support new horizon research into tangible outcomes.[ii]
La Trobe University has significant research capabilities and industry collaborations within these fields, with our research rated ‘well above world standard’ in 23 fields of research through ERA. We work connectedly with industry, with our co-located partners, Imunexus, AdAlta and Cann Group leading innovation and research within their fields, reflecting the strengths and capacity of the university for impactful and meaningful collaboration enabling companies like theirs to prosper.
Quin Chang, Director – Enterprise Development, Industry Engagement, La Trobe University says that partnerships between industry and La Trobe academia have a successful history of innovation and commercialisation outcomes.
“By working with La Trobe where we have world-leading experts within biotechnology and agriculture, we believe with our industry partner we can support the defence and national security interests of Australia. We have tested and proven research capabilities, ready to create impact.”
Along with our new Bio Innovation Hub, as part of the Research and Innovation Precinct opening in early 2023, La Trobe are positioned to support existing or potential industry organisations who are looking to partner or invest within these areas of research.
For further information on the partnership opportunities, please contact the Enterprise Development Team on enterprise.dev@latrobe.edu.au
La Trobe Industry contact: Hope Terdich, Manager – Marketing and Communications, h.terdich@latrobe.edu.au
