AusBiotech and Medicines Australia launch new advisory group to accelerate advanced therapies

AusBiotech and Medicines Australia launch new advisory group to accelerate advanced therapies

01 October 2025: AusBiotech and Medicines Australia are inviting expressions of interest from current members to join the newly established Advanced Therapies Advisory Group, which will provide input into strategic leadership initiatives supporting Australia's growing advanced therapies sector.

Building on the legacy of the two-year Cell and Gene Catalyst, which laid the groundwork for Australia's cell and gene industry, the Advisory Group will support national coordination and enable collaborative policy discussions to address the sector's most pressing opportunities and challenges.

The urgency for greater coordination is underlined by the Australian Cell and Gene Therapies Innovation Investment Report, released today in partnership with Deloitte. The report reveals:

• 91% of respondents agree national coordination is essential to advance Australia's capabilities.
• Industry is growing rapidly and moving towards maturity.
• 71% of respondents plan to increase R&D investment.
• Challenges remain in manufacturing, workforce and patient access.

The Advisory Group will act on these findings and lead policy development and advocacy across the critical areas, including manufacturing capacity, workforce, and strengthening patient pathways to new therapies.

Representation will span membership from both peak bodies, with additional representation from the Solutions for Manufacturing Advanced Regenerative Therapies Cooperative Research Centre (SMART CRC), which will also play a central role.

AusBiotech CEO, Rebekah Cassidy: "Australia's advanced therapies sector is entering a phase of maturation, and national coordination is essential to ensuring patients, industry, and the healthcare system benefit from these innovations.

"Through this new Advisory Group, we will ensure industry voice is heard across priority areas as we shape policy discussions designed to grow Australia's leadership in advanced therapies."

Medicines Australia CEO, Elizabeth de Somer: "Collaboration is essential to maintain momentum in the delivery of advanced therapies - cell and gene technologies - to the community. This Advisory Group represents a very important step forward in unifying industry and other stakeholders to consider and address critical policies and delivery mechanisms to ensure we fully harness and maximise these important therapeutics now and into the future."

Professor Simon Cool, Chief Executive Officer SMART CRC: "This Advisory Group is a timely and strategic move for Australia's regenerative therapies sector. The SMART CRC strongly supports this initiative, which reflects our commitment to building a collaborative, industry-led ecosystem that delivers scalable, cutting-edge therapies to patients. We're proud to represent the voice of our 63 partners and look forward to contributing to meaningful health and economic outcomes for Australians".

Deloitte Global Investment and Innovation Incentive Partner, Greg Pratt: "The report underscores a critical opportunity for government to help unlock the full potential of Australia's cell and gene therapy sector. With clear signals of growing private sector momentum, targeted government investment can play a catalytic role - strengthening infrastructure, building workforce capability, and enabling national coordination. By supporting the development of a connected, end-to-end CGT ecosystem, we can accelerate translation, attract global investment, and ultimately deliver better health and economic outcomes for Australia."

The Advisory Group will provide a unified voice to government, industry, and the community, ensuring Australia seizes the opportunity to become a leading hub for advanced therapies and delivers better health outcomes for patients.

AusBiotech and Medicines Australia members interested in joining the new group should use this EOI form here to register their interest. The closing date for nominations will be Wednesday, 22 October.

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About AusBiotech :

AusBiotech is Australia's life sciences organisation, working on behalf of more than 3,000 members for more than 39 years, to provide advocacy and services that promote the global growth of the Australian life sciences industry. With our unrivalled membership breadth and national convening power, we drive the advancement of life sciences and our members' success in translating clinical research and technologies into real-world solutions while fostering knowledge sharing and collaboration to help life sciences innovators thrive.

About Medicines Australia :

Medicines Australia leads the research-based pharmaceutical industry of Australia. Our members discover, develop and manufacture the medicines that are the foundation of a healthy and prosperous society, including prescription pharmaceutical products, biotherapeutic products and vaccines. Our members invest in Australian medical research and take local discoveries and developments to the world.

About SMART CRC :

The Solutions for Manufacturing Advanced Regenerative Therapies (SMART) Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) is a nationally coordinated initiative that brings together expertise from across the regenerative therapy value chain. With 63 foundation partners spanning industry, government and research, the SMART CRC fosters collaboration to grow Australia's regenerative therapy ecosystem, accelerate breakthrough technologies and deliver life-changing treatments. Together, we will mature a self-sufficient, sustainable pipeline of technologies and talent, unlocking its full potential to benefit Australia's economy, healthcare, and patients.