Hosted in Eagleworks - La Trobe University’s innovation centre within the Jenny Graves Building on the Melbourne Campus, it was an evening of insightful discussion and networking. The program highlighted the critical role of innovation in shaping the future of disease prevention and treatment.
Prof Ashley Franks, Co-lead, Lab for Applied and Environmental Microbiology, La Trobe University and Co-Director of the Mallee Regional Innovation Centre, opened the event. He established a theme of transformative ideas by framing the advancement in infectious diseases as a global imperative. Prof Franks noted that while the COVID-19 pandemic revealed worldwide vulnerabilities, it also proved that groundbreaking innovations and cures are achievable.
Couldn’t make it? Watch the full event recording here:
Snapshot
Attendees heard from four industry and academic leaders in the field.
Dr Richard Alm, Chief Scientific Officer, CARB-X, shared how the organisation is accelerating the development of novel antibacterial products to address drug-resistant infections. His insights into CARB-X’s diverse pipeline of antibiotics, vaccines, and diagnostics underscored the critical role of funding and technical support in advancing these innovations.
Emeritus Professor Marilyn Anderson, Founding Scientist, Deftbiotech, introduced Pezadeftide, a groundbreaking antifungal peptide derived from plant defensins. With its unique mechanism of action, Pezadeftide offers a promising solution to the growing challenge of drug-resistant fungal infections.
Dr Felicia Pradera, Director of Moderna’s Regional Research Centre and Strategic Alliances in Melbourne, leads the R&D collaboration strategies across Australia and the Indo-Pacific. She showcased the adaptability of mRNA technology and its transformative applications in infectious disease innovation. Her presentation highlighted Moderna’s commitment to global pandemic preparedness and fostering partnerships through the mRNA Access Program.
Professor Begoña Heras, Co-Founder and CEO, BioBreak Therapeutics, was the final speaker. The company is on a mission to harness the power of antibody technology to tackle one of medicine’s most stubborn challenges: chronic and recurrent urinary tract infections. With the global market estimated at US $19 billion, their work is not only timely - it’s transformative.
The evening concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where attendees engaged directly with the speakers, followed by a networking session.
This Industry Innovation Series event served as a call to action. Attendees left with insights into the latest advancements in infection and immunity science, opportunities to collaborate with researchers and industry professionals, and inspiration to innovate in their own fields.
As Prof Ashley Franks aptly put it, "Global impact starts here. Together, we are transforming lives through groundbreaking research and industry partnerships."
La Trobe University’s Industry Innovation Series is committed to driving impactful change by spotlighting critical topics including biotechnology, health, and digital innovation. Stay tuned for future events that bring together researchers, thought leaders and innovators to make an impact.
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