From June 16 to 19 2025, La Trobe University was Boston bound for the 2025 BIO International Convention, one of the world's largest and most prestigious biotechnology conferences. It drew nearly 20,000 attendees from across fields – from public pharmaceutical companies, biotech startups, academia, not-for-profit organisations, to government agencies, business development professionals, and investors – and the globe.
The event provided an invaluable platform to gain insights into the latest global biotech trends, highlight the University’s biotechnology research and capabilities, and connect directly with industry leaders and investors in the sector.
La Trobe’s expertise and capabilities in biotechnology are world-class and leading researchers, with specialist areas spanning from nanotechnology to antimicrobial peptide therapeutics, attended the convention to showcase projects and discuss research collaboration opportunities.
- Professor Brian Abbey
Leads development in advanced optical technologies for biological imaging, utilising techniques in coherent optics and nanotechnology. Research spans optics, nanofabrication, and X-ray science, contributing to innovations in biosensing and early-stage cancer detection. Professor Abbey is a Co-Founder of AlleSense.
- Dr Wenyi Li
Leads novel antimicrobial peptide therapeutics research for the development of a class of therapeutics able to effectively treat antimicrobial resistance associated with wound infections and diabetic foot ulcers.
- Professor Begona Heras
Leads the Infection and Immunity Theme at the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS). Specialist interest in the area of infectious diseases with a focus on dissecting the protein machineries that drive bacterial infections.
- Dr Jason Paxman
Specialises in biotechnology with a focus on bacterial virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance. Work includes investigating autotransporters and disulfide oxidoreductases, which play key roles in bacterial pathogenesis. He has contributed to the discovery of new bacterial toxins, such as Ssp, which could lead to novel antimicrobial treatments.
Professor Heras and Dr Paxman are both spinning out a company focused novel therapeutics for prevention and elimination of Escherichia coli biofilms.
La Trobe University is at the forefront of biotechnology research and innovation, with strengths in areas such as agricultural biosciences, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and medical technologies. Through state-of-the-art research facilities, including the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), the University empowers researchers to tackle critical health and environmental challenges. A highlight of La Trobe's contributions is a new partnership with global biotechnology company BioNTech to establish a state-of-the-art mRNA clinical-scale manufacturing facility at its Melbourne campus in Bundoora. This facility will focus on developing investigational mRNA therapies for serious diseases, including cancer.
Additionally, the Bio Innovation Hub makes La Trobe the destination for early-stage biotech startups, for whom access to cutting-edge lab facilities can be a game-changer but high costs and limited infrastructure are often major barriers. A thriving research environment, now home to biotech innovators VivaZome, Epigenes and Aeterna Health, the Hub has affordable bench space still available for industry. Designed specifically for startups, tenancy includes access to an OGTR-approved PC2 laboratory and it connects emerging innovators to a thriving biotech research community, fostering growth, collaboration, and cutting-edge discoveries.
Explore Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS)
Explore Biomedical and Environmental Sensor Technology (BEST)
Explore Australian Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Medical Innovation (ACAMI)
Explore La Trobe University Research Platforms
By leveraging strong partnerships with industry, government, and global research networks, La Trobe continues to position itself as a leader in addressing some of the world’s most significant and pressing scientific problems.
For general enquiries or more information, please contact industry.engagement@latrobe.edu.au
