Uniseed Panel: Research to Startup: A different road to impact

Think your research could have global impact? Now what?

Hear from researchers who have pursued a different path to gain global impact for their work – building a successful startup business.

Uniseed – a partner of the University of Melbourne – provides investment funding to commercialise research-developed technologies that bring significant impact to communities.

Uniseed has brought together a panel of researchers turned entrepreneurs who will share the highs and lows of their experience – from discussions with the Tech Transfer Office, leaving university (or not!), raising capital, forming teams and being in business. Every journey is different, but all have been fulfilling.

The panel includes:

• Professor Maree Smith is the inventor behind the novel analgesic technology developed by Spinifex Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of neuropathic pain – a debilitating and often poorly treated condition affecting millions of patients worldwide. Spinifex was acquired by Novartis in 2014 for USD 200 million plus milestone payments. Maree is Director of the Centre for Integrated Preclinical Drug Development and is an Emeritus Professor at the School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Queensland
• Professor Vern Bowles was Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Hatchtech which has developed a novel treatment for headlice. The research underpinning the core intellectual property of Hatchtech – XeglyzeTMLotion – is the culmination of 15 years of his work. In 2015, Hatchtech signed a USD 200 million agreement with pharmaceutical company Dr Reddy's Laboratories to commercialise the product. Vern is the Deputy Director of the Centre for Animal Biotechnology at the University of Melbourne.
• Dr Katrina Socoros has over nine years of experience in commercialisation of early stage technologies within both the University and investment sectors. Katrina leads the Life Sciences Portfolio within the IP & Technology Transfer team in RIC at the University of Melbourne and is involved in assessing, protecting and developing University technologies as well as identifying and negotiating with commercial partners or investors to further develop and exploit these technologies. Katrina was also an investment analyst with the Trans-Tasman Commercialisation Fund and holds a Bachelor of Biotechnology with First Class Honours and Master of Business (Science & Technology) at Monash University.
• Dr John Kurek is the Biotechnology Investment Manager of Uniseed. John is responsible for identifying new investment opportunities and managing Uniseed's overall biotechnology and life sciences portfolio. John's previous roles have included Pharmaceutic Development Manager at BioDiem Ltd, where he was responsible for managing the preclinical, clinical and regulatory aspects of BioDem's drug development programs, and Preclinical Development Manager at Amrad Corporation Ltd where he was responsible for the management of preclinical drug test.

Drinks and canapes to follow panel discussion.

Seats are limited so please register early to avoid disappointment.