Qld’s booming biomedical sector hits world stage in Boston  

• About 50 Queensland businesses, universities and research institutions will touch down in the United States for the largest global biotechnology gathering, BIO International Convention
• Along with Queensland’s Deputy Premier, the Queenslanders will be encouraging international investment in the state’s fast-growing biomedical sector

A wealth of opportunities to invest in Queensland’s fast-growing biomedical sector will be showcased to global power players at the BIO International Convention in Boston.

Queenslanders will be out in force at the influential event, with Deputy Premier Steven Miles joining delegates from about 50 companies, universities and research institutions (see list below).

The Deputy Premier will attend the convention as part of a Trade Mission to the United States to encourage more investment in Queensland, especially from industries critical to decarbonisation such as the bioeconomy.

The Palaszczuk Government is seizing the opportunity to raise Queensland’s profile as a world leader in the biomedical and biotechnology space.

Queensland is fast becoming a global research and innovation hub thanks to the Queensland Government’s investment in state-of-the-art facilities, talent attraction and partnerships.

In December 2022, global healthcare company Sanofi, the Palaszczuk Government, The University of Queensland and Griffith University announced a partnership to establish a world-first mRNA research centre in Queensland called the Translational Science Hub.

Through the Industry Partnership Program, the Queensland Government has also invested $60 million towards the establishment of a scale up manufacturing facility, TM@TRI. This facility will enable companies to stay in Queensland and scale up production of their products for clinical studies.

The Queensland Biomedical Business Attraction Program will also open soon, designed to attract interstate and international industry to access Queensland’s biomedical capability.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier Steven Miles:

“BIO 2023 is our opportunity to tell the world what is being achieved in Queensland’s biomedical industry and what we’re capable of achieving in the future,” Mr Miles said.

“For more than 25 years, the Queensland Government has been investing in the innovation infrastructure, training and skilling opportunities needed to grow a world-class biomedical industry.

“We’re continuing to build on this proud legacy today and put Queensland on the global map as the place to work and invest in science.

“Today, our state is home to world-class research facilities and a highly-skilled workforce driving the development of new vaccines and healthcare breakthroughs.

“The fact that Sanofi, one of the world’s largest healthcare companies, chose Queensland ahead of other states to reshape 21st century medicine is a strong sign of things to come. I look forward to visiting Sanofi’s mRNA Centre of Excellence in Boston, which is now working closely with the Translational Science Hub in Queensland, along with Sanofi scientists in France.

“It’s a privilege to be joining some of our state’s best and brightest minds at BIO 2023 to show industry leaders across the world why Queensland’s biomedical sector is set to skyrocket.

“It’s also a valuable opportunity to get insights from US counterparts on the key issues of housing, Olympics legacy planning and making the most of the global shift to clean energy.”

Quotes attributable to Dr Iris Depaz, Country Medical Lead, Sanofi Australia and New Zealand:

“The BIO International Convention is an important week for Sanofi to discuss the latest technological advances and explore collaborations with the global medical community,” Dr Depaz said.

“There is already a lot of interest in the Translational Science Hub in Queensland and how it will advance medical understanding of the mRNA platform.

“Alongside the Queensland state delegation to the US, Sanofi is committed to growing the scientific ecosystem and supporting the Queensland Government’s commitment to making the Sunshine State the biomedical research state.”

ENDS

Additional Information:

United States Trade Mission:

• While in the United States, the Deputy Premier will also meet with councillors and developers in Cambridge, near Boston, to learn how the city has delivered unique affordable housing solutions.
• Mr Miles will also tour SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, which will host the 2028 Summer Olympics, and gain insights from the LA28 Organising Committee. The meeting will help steer legacy planning in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• The Deputy Premier will also meet with the Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles to discuss Queensland’s New-Industry Development Strategy and the economic opportunities for Queensland companies arising from the Inflation Reduction Act.
• The landmark legislation has opened enormous potential for Australia to build its renewables sector, increase critical minerals exports and tap into billions of US capital flowing to the global clean energy transition.

BIO International Convention:

• BIO 2023 will provide networking and partnership opportunities with more than 14,000 industry figures from 5-8 June 2023.
• The Biomedical and life sciences sector contributes $2.11 billion to Queensland’s economy, supporting more than 12,000 jobs, a rise from $1.57 billion in 2015-16. Queensland is home to about 1500 biomedical and life sciences businesses
• The industry’s growth has been supported through the Queensland Government’s Biomedical 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan
• Queensland companies, universities and research institutions attending BIO 2023 are: 360Biolabs; Acura Bio; Agilex Biolabs; Bellaseno; Beyond Drug Development; Biostate Pty Ltd; Brandon Capital/BioCatalyst; Brisbane Economic Development Agency; Canaria Technologies; Carpe Vitae Pharmaceuticals; Clinials; Coral Sea Clinical Research Institute; CROW Clinical; Cyteph; Davies Collinson Cave; Deloitte; Eevi Life; Ellume Health; Fovero Therapeutics; Graphics et al; Graythan Regulatory Services; Griffith University; Health Translation Queensland; Implicit Bioscience; James & Wells Intellectual Property; Kings Patent & Trade Mark Attorney; LABCORP; Life Sciences Queensland; Michael Buck IP; Microba; MTPConnect; Novoviah Pharmaceuticals; Pfizer; Pizzey’s Patent & Trade Mark Attorney; Provectus Algae; Qbiotics; QIMR Berghofer; QIC Real Estate; Queensland University of Technology; Sacco System Australia Pty Ltd; Sanofi Australia; Silverstone Developments; Southern RNA; Spruson & Ferguson; The University of Queensland; Thomson Geer; Translational Research Institute; UniSeed; University of Southern Queensland; University of the Sunshine Coast; Vaxxas; and WearOptimo.
• The Queensland contingent will be part of a wider Australian presence at the trade fair promoting investment opportunities and success stories of homegrown companies.

Media contact:  Amy Hunter 0423 651 484