The 18th Bioshares Biotech Summit begins today at the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle, Western Australia.
The two-day event follows on from the successful Hobart conference held in 2023 which had a record 200 attendees.
This year’s summit provides the opportunity for biotech companies to access new retail and institutional investors in WA, and for biotechs and service providers to build closer links with a very active biotech sector in the state which enjoys strong support from the WA State Government.
"This is a very exciting time to be involved with WA's health and medical life sciences sector as we strive and work towards making our state a global centre for medical research, innovation, investment and impact, Acting Medical Research and Innovation and the Digital Economy Minister Paul Papalia said.
"It's a major coup for our state to host the prestigious Bioshares Biotech Summit which generates opportunities for local businesses to showcase their achievements.
"The Cook Government is committed to investing in biotech to help our local industry to grow and support WA companies in solving some of the world's most challenging health and medical issues."
Race Oncology Ltd (ASX:RAC, OTC:RAONF) is one presenter that is helping to solve these issues.
Race executive director Dr Pete Smith will present from 5.30 to 5.50pm WST later today as part of Session 4: Repurposing Existing Pharmaceuticals.
During his presentation, Dr Smith will underscore the importance of cardiovascular toxicity caused by oncology therapies and how it affects patients’ lives post treatment.
He will also discuss the clinical history of Race’s lead asset bisantrene, the development of the new RC220 bisantrene formulation and Race’s clinical plans for RC220 bisantrene.
The Perth biotech scene
Perth boasts a dynamic biotech research and development sector, including institutions such as the University of Western Australia, the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, the Lions Eye Institute, the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science and the Telethon Kids Institute.
The city now hosts 244 life science companies, a figure that has doubled over the past six years.
Notable technologies seeded in Perth include Sirtex Medical, sold to China Grand Pharmaceutical in 2018 for US$1.9 billion, the ADAPT tissue processing technology from Anteris Technologies Ltd (ASX:AVR, OTC:AMEUF), implanted in over 35,000 patients, and three drugs for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, discovered at the Perron Institute and licensed to Sarepta Therapeutics Ltd, which have received FDA approval.
What is Bioshares?
Bioshares is Australia's leading biotech stock report, providing independent investment research on Australian biotech, pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. It is published by Blake Industry and Market Analysis Pty Ltd (BIMA).
Initially launched as a quarterly hardcopy report in 2000, Bioshares transitioned to a weekly electronic format from edition 13 onwards and then to a fortnightly edition in 2021. It has chronicled the biotech sector's evolution from its early obscurity in 1999, through various market phases, to becoming a primary resource for biotech investors.
Blake Industry and Market Analysis Pty Ltd (BIMA) was founded in 1998 by Mark Pachacz and David Blake and offers independent investment research to stockbrokers, fund managers and other clients. BIMA is licensed by the Australian Investment and Securities Commission.
In 2005, BIMA initiated the first Bioshares Biotech Summit, a significant event for biotech investors, held in Queenstown, New Zealand from 2011 and moved to Albury in 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
What to expect
This is a non-stop two-day conference with some major players in the biotech space presenting.
You can see the full program here.
After the opening by Dr Jags Krishnam MLA, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, WA, there will be a quick presentation titles Australian Biotech Sector, Review and Outlook by Euroz Hartleys analyst Seth Lizee.
From there, day one will include presentations on new opportunities from Neuren Pharmaceuticals, Cyclopharm, EBR Systems, Aroa Biosurgery, Cosgate, Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals (ASX:CUV) and RoseRx.
After lunch on day one, the conference will move to discuss finding the next blockbuster drug. Presenters will include Dimerix, Cynata Therapeutics, Amplia Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:ATX) and PYC Therapeutics.
Day one will end with a discussion about repurposing existing pharmaceuticals and will include Island Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Race Oncology Ltd (ASX:RAC, OTC:RAONF) and Paradigm Biopharmaceuticals.
Day two will be another packed day with topics focused on new kids on the block, diagnostics and different ways to treat diseases. It will close with an investment panel discussing whether positive sentiment has returned to the global biotech sector and if so how long will it last, the global trends in biotech and best picks.
Presentations to look forward to will come from Genetic Technologies Ltd, Orthocell Ltd (ASX:OCC, OTC:ORHHF), Syntara Ltd (ASX:SNT), Chimeric Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:CHM), LBT Innovations Ltd, Acrux (ASX:ACR) Ltd, Argenica Ltd, Microba Lifesciences Ltd, Tryptamine Therapeutics and more.
For more information and registration details go to: https://www.bioshares.com.au