** October 7th BioBreakfast. What opportunities for Australian biotech companies in China? Tips for success. Sponsored by GSK.

NOTE: Speakers and topics may change without notice.

With a GDP of US$3,450 billion in 2007, China is now the third largest economy in the world, behind the US and Japan. Since economic liberalisation in 1978 the country's GDP has grown an average 9.9 percent per year, and China is now the world's ninth largest market for pharmaceuticals. Under the Chinese Government's 11^th  Five-Year Guideline, 2006-2010, national investment in research and development in 2010 is projected to be USD $140 bn per annum (in 2007 GDP terms). Over the same period, analysts predict that China will become the world's fifth largest pharmaceuticals market (Sources: PwC "Investing in China's Pharmaceutical Industry". 2006. www.Biopharma.com).

Click here for registration form

Many global pharma companies have established manufacturing, as well as R&D centres in China, including GSK, which has established its OTC research and development centre in Tianjin, and Roche, which recently opened its R&D centre in Shanghai. AstraZeneca, Bayer, Eli Lilly, and Hoffman-La Roche, have also set up Chinese R&D or clinical trial centres.

Indicators point toward significant opportunities for Australian biotech companies in research and clinical development collaboration, when the investments of the Chinese Government and the global pharmaceutical sector are taken into account.

Our October BioBreakfast examines the trends and opportunities for Australian biotech companies in the Chinese pharma and medical research sectors.

GSK Australasia's Head R&D Alliances Australia/NZ, Dr Ashley Bates, will briefly overview the rationale behind the decision to create a GSK R&D Centre in China and comment on the possible implications for Australia.

AT-Bio Pty Ltd.'s CEO, Mr Jim Murray, will present a case study of setting up a joint venture company in China. AT-Bio is a joint venture between Atholl Pty Ltd (Melbourne), and the Tianjin Institute for Pharmaceutical Research (China), focussed on drug development.

Mr Murray will make observations on his experiences in:

• finding Chinese partners and developing relationships,
• designing the appropriate business model and corporate structure for China
• gaining Government approvals
• managing international regulatory compliance
• intellectual property strategies; and
• obtaining financial investment

Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories' Director, Professor Richard Boyd, will speak about Monash University's partnership with Peking University in the $2 million Australia-China Centre for Excellence in Stem Cell Research. The Centre pools scientists, knowledge, and technologies of the two universities, accelerating investigation into the characterisation of stem cells, the development of novel therapies and opening up new commercial opportunities. Professor Boyd will also discuss the intellectual property (IP) strategy adopted by Monash University in this research collaboration.

Almost half of the Australia-China Centre’s money is provided from the Federal Government’s Australia-China Special Fund for Scientific and Technological Cooperation.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about research and clinical collaboration opportunities in the burgeoning Chinese market place.

• Venue: Supper Room, Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston St, Melbourne,  VIC  3000.
  
  Registration: from 7.15 am. Buffet breakfast 7.20 am - 7.55 am.
  
  Presentation - begins 8.00 am sharp. BioBreakfast concludes 9.00am.
  
  Price: BioMelbourne Network Members: $55.00, Non-Members: $88.00 - incl GST
  
  RSVP DEADLINE - By 10am Wednesday October 1st. (Late registrations cannot be accepted).
  
  NOTE: Speakers and topics may change without notice.
  
  Registrations received after the RSVP date cannot be accepted.

Please note: Due to the popularity of our BioBreakfasts, Network Members have priority.

Nicole Pitcher Administration Coordinator, email: npitcher@biomelbourne.org, tel: 9650 8800