Connecting South Australia and Western Australia biotech to the globe!
26 June 2024
As the biotech world converged on San Diego for BIO 2024, attendees of the ‘Bridgewest Connects: Linking Global Biotech to South and Western Australia’ event stepped outside the city’s hustle and bustle for a morning of networking and connections at a special private reception hosted by the Bridgewest Group.
BioCina and NovaCina, two of Australia’s leading CDMOs, along with LumaCina - Bridgewest Perth Pharma and BioOra showcased their incredible journey of unlocking Australia’s potential in the biotech sector through their facilities in Western Australia and South Australia.
The event was coordinated by WA’s Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, SA’s Department for Trade and Investment, and MTPConnect through the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub and MTPConnect Adelaide Intermediary Program, together with the Bridgewest Group, a private investment firm with global investments in innovative software, semiconductor technologies, life sciences and biotech,
The San Diego weather was grey but the networking was bright as brilliant minds and companies behind WA and SA’s thriving biotech sectors converged. In between tasting food and wine offerings featuring produce from both states, hot topics of conversation included the states’ cutting-edge research and manufacturing facilities, government support for the sector, leading clinical trial providers, and attractive tax benefits that make Australia an appealing destination for biotech and medtech ventures.
Guests, which included national and international dignitaries, biotechnology leaders, and investors, also gained firsthand insights into investment in Australia and the story of Bridgewest establishing operations in Perth and Adelaide.
The crowd heard from a range of speakers, including:
* Bridgewest Ventures CEO Saum Vahdat (pictured) shared Bridgewest Group’s vision and purpose behind their investment in life sciences.
* BioCina CEO Mark Womack spoke about the Biologics manufacturing capabilities of BioCina in Adelaide.
* Bridgewest Perth Pharma CEO Cyrus Mirsaidi introduced NovaCina and the importance of small molecule manufacture now and into the future.
* LumaCina Chief Commercial Officer Jon Kafer elaborated on LumaCina - Bridgewest Perth Pharma investment into a pipeline of new products.
* BioOra’s Managing Director John Robson spoke about BioOra’s accessible cell therapy manufacturing in New Zealand.
* Invest and Trade Western Australia’s Commissioner to the Americas Natasha Monk and South Australia’s Department for Trade and Investment Business Development Manager – Health Sandra Hack inspired guests to engage with South Australia and Western Australia.
Director Adelaide Intermediary Program Jo Close said the event was a unique opportunity timed perfectly to leverage Australia’s participation at BIO.
"It was a privilege connecting South Australians and Western Australians with international guests at this amazing event– seeding new partnerships, groundbreaking ideas and exciting opportunities,” she said.
Director Stakeholder Engagement WA and the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub lead Dr Tracey Wilkinson highlighted the impact of the Bridgewest Group on the event - and their growing importance in the Australian ecosystem.
“Thank you to Saum Vahdat and the Bridgewest Group for their generous hospitality in San Diego and their continued investment into Australia. The opportunities for future partnerships and collaborations are exciting for both SA and WA and I look forward to continuing to support this valued relationship,” she said.