Published Monday, 30 April, 2007 at 08:59 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
PREMIER’S TRADE MISSION PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON QUEENSLAND CANCER RESEARCHERS
Queensland’s ground breaking cancer scientists and their medical breakthroughs will be a strong focus of the Queensland’s latest trade mission to Hong Kong, South Korea and the United State.
Premier and Minister for Trade Peter Beattie, who will lead the trade mission, said Queensland’s biotechnology companies and researchers had gained a strong international reputation for the research and drugs they are developing to combat cancer.
“It is one of the Smart State’s strengths and we will be building on that reputation -– particularly at BIO2007 which is being held in Boston from 6-9 May - and during my visit to Hong Kong,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said he would also be strongly promoting Queensland aviation and power industries in Hong Kong.
“The Korean leg of the trade mission will focus on education, tourism, and energy issues including possible research collaboration on Clean Coal Technology and other climate change initiatives,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said the Queensland Government was committed to the development of the State’s biotechnology industry and had led delegations to the United States for BIO, the world’s largest biotechnology convention and exhibition since 1999.
The Premier will be joined in Boston by State Development Minister John Mickel to showcase Queensland biotechnology.
“About 20,000 delegates attend BIO and the Queensland Government is continuing its significant investment in Queensland branding and positioning to facilitate leads, networking, new business and research collaboration opportunities,” Mr Beattie said.
At BIO2007 the Premier will host a Queensland BIO Business Reception on Saturday 5 May for 150-200 representatives from the US and international biotechnology, business and investment community.
The aim of the reception is to present the unique positives of 'doing biotech business' with Queensland and showcase Smart State strengths in biotechnology and life sciences.
Mr Beattie said the world’s first cervical cancer vaccine was developed in Queensland by Professor Ian Frazer and his research team at the University of Queensland's Diamantina Institute for Cancer, Immunology and Metabolic Medicine.
“The Gardasil vaccine protects against the strains of the human papilloma virus that cause 70 percent of cervical cancers,” Mr Beattie said.
Cancer of the cervix is one of the most common cancers affecting women, and kills about 270,000 women worldwide every year.
Gardasil is seen as a major breakthrough in defeating the disease worldwide and has become a flagship for other excellent cancer research being done in Queensland.
Mr Beattie said another Queensland biotech company Progen Industries had developed a product, PI-88, which was undergoing trials for the treatment of a range of cancers, including melanoma, liver, prostate and lung cancer.
The company expects to enter Phase III liver cancer trials later this year.
“Progen’s Phase II liver cancer trial results have been excellent,” Mr Beattie said.
Over half a million cases of primary liver cancer are recorded worldwide each year, making it the fifth most common cancer and the third major cause of mortality in cancer worldwide.
“Another Queensland company, Peplin, dubbed the Australian biotechnology sector’s ‘most valuable player’ for 2006, was trialling PEP005, a compound derived from weed sap, to treat skin cancer,” Mr Beattie said.
“PEP005 is proving to be a well tolerated and quite effective in clearing skin cancers, using a short course of treatment with minimal side effects,” Mr Beattie said.
He said Peplin was currently conducting a Phase 2b clinical trial in the US and results were expected in July.
“The Mater Medical Research Institute is also developing a world-first trial into a prostate cancer vaccine as well as doing other cutting edge cancer research,” Mr Beattie said.
During his trade mission Mr Beattie will also boost trade and investment opportunities and further promote Queensland’s sister state relationship with South Carolina.
“The relationship with South Carolina is blossoming with an increasing level of cooperation and collaboration between our research and business communities,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie will receive an Honorary Doctorate in Laws when he addresses the Commencement ceremony ay the University of South Carolina on 11 May.
In New York he will also announce this year’s Queensland Expatriate Awards for Queenslanders who have achieved significant success in their fields in the United States at a special award ceremony.
Media contact: Premier’s Office: 3224 4500
30 April 2007
Editors please note: still shots and DVD footage is available of Progen and still shots of Mater Media Research Institute are also available.
Premier and Minister for Trade Peter Beattie, who will lead the trade mission, said Queensland’s biotechnology companies and researchers had gained a strong international reputation for the research and drugs they are developing to combat cancer.
“It is one of the Smart State’s strengths and we will be building on that reputation -– particularly at BIO2007 which is being held in Boston from 6-9 May - and during my visit to Hong Kong,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said he would also be strongly promoting Queensland aviation and power industries in Hong Kong.
“The Korean leg of the trade mission will focus on education, tourism, and energy issues including possible research collaboration on Clean Coal Technology and other climate change initiatives,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said the Queensland Government was committed to the development of the State’s biotechnology industry and had led delegations to the United States for BIO, the world’s largest biotechnology convention and exhibition since 1999.
The Premier will be joined in Boston by State Development Minister John Mickel to showcase Queensland biotechnology.
“About 20,000 delegates attend BIO and the Queensland Government is continuing its significant investment in Queensland branding and positioning to facilitate leads, networking, new business and research collaboration opportunities,” Mr Beattie said.
At BIO2007 the Premier will host a Queensland BIO Business Reception on Saturday 5 May for 150-200 representatives from the US and international biotechnology, business and investment community.
The aim of the reception is to present the unique positives of 'doing biotech business' with Queensland and showcase Smart State strengths in biotechnology and life sciences.
Mr Beattie said the world’s first cervical cancer vaccine was developed in Queensland by Professor Ian Frazer and his research team at the University of Queensland's Diamantina Institute for Cancer, Immunology and Metabolic Medicine.
“The Gardasil vaccine protects against the strains of the human papilloma virus that cause 70 percent of cervical cancers,” Mr Beattie said.
Cancer of the cervix is one of the most common cancers affecting women, and kills about 270,000 women worldwide every year.
Gardasil is seen as a major breakthrough in defeating the disease worldwide and has become a flagship for other excellent cancer research being done in Queensland.
Mr Beattie said another Queensland biotech company Progen Industries had developed a product, PI-88, which was undergoing trials for the treatment of a range of cancers, including melanoma, liver, prostate and lung cancer.
The company expects to enter Phase III liver cancer trials later this year.
“Progen’s Phase II liver cancer trial results have been excellent,” Mr Beattie said.
Over half a million cases of primary liver cancer are recorded worldwide each year, making it the fifth most common cancer and the third major cause of mortality in cancer worldwide.
“Another Queensland company, Peplin, dubbed the Australian biotechnology sector’s ‘most valuable player’ for 2006, was trialling PEP005, a compound derived from weed sap, to treat skin cancer,” Mr Beattie said.
“PEP005 is proving to be a well tolerated and quite effective in clearing skin cancers, using a short course of treatment with minimal side effects,” Mr Beattie said.
He said Peplin was currently conducting a Phase 2b clinical trial in the US and results were expected in July.
“The Mater Medical Research Institute is also developing a world-first trial into a prostate cancer vaccine as well as doing other cutting edge cancer research,” Mr Beattie said.
During his trade mission Mr Beattie will also boost trade and investment opportunities and further promote Queensland’s sister state relationship with South Carolina.
“The relationship with South Carolina is blossoming with an increasing level of cooperation and collaboration between our research and business communities,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie will receive an Honorary Doctorate in Laws when he addresses the Commencement ceremony ay the University of South Carolina on 11 May.
In New York he will also announce this year’s Queensland Expatriate Awards for Queenslanders who have achieved significant success in their fields in the United States at a special award ceremony.
Media contact: Premier’s Office: 3224 4500
30 April 2007
Editors please note: still shots and DVD footage is available of Progen and still shots of Mater Media Research Institute are also available.