Brisbane to host major life sciences industry conference in 2018

SAN DIEGO, USA: International bio investors have been invited to Brisbane after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the Queensland capital will play host next year to a gathering of the leading players in one of Australia’s most exciting and promising high-tech industries.

Speaking at the BIO International Convention in San Diego in the United States, Ms Palaszczuk said almost 1000 business leaders, investors and scientists from Australia and overseas would attend the AusBiotech 2018 national conference from 31 October to 2 November at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre next year.

The annual AusBiotech national conference draws representatives from the life sciences industry, including medical device manufacturers and biotechnology firms.

Ms Palaszczuk said the life sciences industry was one of the world’s fastest-growing industries, with demand for innovative medical devices and new therapeutics and vaccines increasing, particularly in the emerging Asian markets.

“In Queensland, the industry is underpinned by strong research capability and a Government that backs innovation,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Our scientists are working in areas of growing demand, from therapeutic, diagnostic and vaccine development to adult stem cell technology, ag-biotech, industrial biotech, alternative fuels, and tropical health research.

“We have the desire, the know-how and I’ve made sure the Government support is in place so we see this very important industry grow even more.”

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government recognised the industry’s potential as a major income-earner for the state and as vitally important to the government’s commitment to diversify the Queensland economy.

“Through our $420 million Advance Queensland initiative, we are developing the necessary commercialisation capabilities to translate the excellent research happening in our labs into commercial products and services that ultimately benefit patients and consumers,” Ms Enoch said.

“The AusBiotech national conference provides us with a fantastic opportunity to promote the scale, quality and diversity of the Queensland industry. It is the premier event for attracting international interest and investment to Australia and crucially generates the necessary partnerships between business and research. Alongside the Brisbane conference, it will also be an early stage investment event.”

AusBiotech CEO Glenn Cross said: “We held the AusBiotech conference on the Gold Coast in 2014 and in Brisbane the year before that.

“While AusBiotech has held many networking events, briefings and roundtables in the state since then, we’re excited to bring the national conference back to Queensland,” Mr Cross said.

“The Queensland Government has been a long-time supporter of the life sciences industry and their support is seen once again, with Premier and Minister Enoch leading the Queensland delegation to the 2017 BIO International Convention in the US.”

Media contacts:

Kerryn Manifold- +61428 510 973