CSIRO Futures launches its new report on Non-animal models for which Centre director, Prof Alastair Stewart was an active participant of the steering committee, sharing his expertise on microphysiological systems (MPS)

To promote the report and provide a platform for Q&A on the report, CSIRO Futures organises a Research and Industry Webcast: “Non-animal models: A strategy for maturing Australia’s medical product development capabilities.”

• When: Tuesday 12 September 12.30PM to 1.30PM AEST;
• Where: Join from your desk using the login details below (Pre-registration is not required).
• Webcast link: https://webcast.csiro.au/#/webcasts/csirofutures

Overview

Non-animal models have the potential to generate new revenue streams, improve productivity across the medical product development process, and support the global transition to reduce the reliance on animal models. CSIRO’s report, published on 31 August 2023, identifies 4 industry growth opportunities, 10 recommendations, and four research and development thematic priorities. Recommendations span several topics, including infrastructure, regulation, research, and governance, and were informed by consultation with over 100 experts from industry, research, and government. The report has the potential to extend beyond the medical product development process and benefit growth opportunities in other fields, such as veterinary and agricultural medicines, cosmetics testing, industrial chemicals, and eco-toxicology. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.

Host: Greg Williams, Associate Director, CSIRO Futures

Speakers:

• Laura Thomas, Manager, CSIRO Futures
  Laura is a Strategy Manager in the CSIRO Futures team, the advisory arm of Australia’s national science agency. Laura will present a summary of the key report findings and lead a discussion on how industry and research can help Australia to strategically enhance capability in this field.
• Dr Kim Fung, Principal Research Scientist, Health and Biosecurity, CSIRO
  Dr Kim Fung is a Principal Research Scientist and Team Leader in CSIRO, Health and Biosecurity. Her expertise is in the development and translation of novel and innovative diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for human health and disease with a focus on intestinal disease. Dr Fung will present a case study of a human organoid system that she has established for screening biological entities targeting disease prevention and personalised therapeutics.
• Dr Kim Halpin, Group Leader, ACDP, CSIRO
  Dr Kim Halpin is a veterinary virologist and leads the Pathology and Pathogenesis Group at the at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP). Her expertise is in emerging infectious diseases and utilising innovative molecular diagnostic technologies with the aim to manage and control emerging zoonoses. Dr Halpin will present a summary of the non-animal model work that ACDP scientists are currently undertaking.

Questions are welcome and may be submitted in advance (laura.thomas@csiro.au) or using the online tools available in the webcast.

The Graeme Clark Institute for Biomedical Engineering (GCI) recently announced the winning teams of the 2023 GCI Proof-of-Concept (POC) Funding Scheme. This new scheme aims to support researchers within the biomedical engineering field (including MedTech) who are employed by the University of Melbourne across different faculties to translate their research into viable commercialisation projects or start-ups.

Dr Bryan Gao (ARC CPTT ICPD) and Prof Alastair Stewart (ARC CPTT Director) are among the recipients for the project “Multiplexed Micro-physiological Perfusion System for Drug Testing“. Micro-physiological systems (MPS) are essential human-relevant, non-animal models extensively used in drug development. However, due to workflow incompatibilities and high operational barriers, applications have been unduly limited at smaller scales. There is an immediate need for a scalable and practical fluidic system for meaningful MPS adoptions across the industry. This project aims to directly address this demand by developing and commercialising a novel highly-multiplexed fluidic management platform for authentic biological sample culturing.

Click here for more info.

The ARC CPTT are delighted to welcome Ms Fiona Milner from Epichem to our Industry Advisory Board (IAB)! We were able to formally introduce her to the other members of our IAB at our most recent meeting.

Fiona recently started as General Manager at Epichem. With her 25 years of experience of senior management and leadership experience, Fiona will provide great resources for mentoring ARC CPTT trainees.

Welcome Fiona! We look forward to working with you.

We would also like to thank the outgoing member of the IAB, Dr Martine Keenan (Epichem) for her contributions, and we wish her well on her next endeavour.