Ms Kneipp was a leading figure in the establishment of the $20b Medical Research Future Fund and its $500m+ Biomedical Translation Fund, which doubled Australia’s investment in health and medical research. She also led the Government’s agenda on clinical trial reform enhanced by a collaborative industry forum with state agreed National Partnerships and worked to secure the R&D Tax Incentive clinical trial determination.
Ms Kneipp is currently the Research Director for the Human Health program within the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
She was the driving force behind the Commonwealth’s Health portfolio first representation at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) Convention leading the 2018 Ministerial delegation. To this day she remains a strong advocate for the Team Australia approach to promoting our nation’s great biotechnology innovation offerings.
“The life science ecosystem in Australia is vibrant and leading the way in the new innovation economy,” she said.
“The pandemic has reinforced the sector’s worth and has revolutionised its capabilities and sovereign capacity. AusBiotech is a champion of advocacy, and I cannot wait to make a positive contribution to ensuring the settings are right for our sector to thrive.”
In addition, Graham McLean has been appointed as a Board Observer. Graham brings with him a rich and varied experience in healthcare, including 16 years in executive leadership roles at global medtech company Stryker, where he successfully accelerated technology-led growth in multiple businesses.
Based in Sydney, Graham currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Universal Biosensors (ASX:UBI), is a non-executive director at CleanSpace (ASX:CSX)(a high quality respirator manufacturer) and Suicide Prevention Australia and advisory roles and investments in a number of smaller Australian bio/medtech companies including MedTech Actuator. He is also Chair of the AusBiotech NSW Committee (AusBioNSW) which provides support, advocacy and events for NSW members.
“I am thrilled to take on this role as a Board Observer during this exciting phase of significant innovation and growth in our industry. I am passionate about growing the Australian-based biotechnology sector and look forward to working with members to contribute significantly to the success of our industry over the coming years.”
AusBiotech Chair, Mr Geoffrey Kempler, said: “On behalf of the AusBiotech Board, I am thrilled to welcome Erica Kneipp and Graham McLean. Their passion for and commitment to the Australian biotech industry, coupled with Erica’s outstanding achievements and in-depth knowledge of government and policy and Graham’s expertise and success in medtech and commercialisation will be a valuable contribution to the work of AusBiotech in helping the sector to realise its full potential.”
AusBiotech CEO, Lorraine Chiroiu, added: “AusBiotech is the champion of the biotech sector and we are proud to be guided by a Board with such relevant, high calibre experience. Erica and Graham’s rich experience and expertise is reflective of our value, and our ambitious goals and vision. I look forward to working more closely with them as we continue to drive the sector forward and create opportunities to enable its world-class innovation and technologies make a positive contribution to Australia, and the world.”
The new AusBiotech Board, effective today, includes:
