AusBiotech and Medicines Australia announce members of new joint advisory group to accelerate advanced therapies sector

AusBiotech and Medicines Australia announce members of new joint advisory group to accelerate advanced therapies sector

03 February 2026: AusBiotech and Medicines Australia have today announced the members of their newly established Advanced Therapies Advisory Group.

The Advisory Group will provide input into strategic initiatives that will support Australia's growing advanced therapies industry, focusing on the findings of the 2025 Australian Cell and Gene Therapies Innovation Investment Report - produced in partnership between AusBiotech, Medicines Australia and Deloitte. The Group will focus on topics related to policy development, advocacy and industry enablement specific to the cell and gene sector in Australia.

In forming the Advisory Group, AusBiotech and Medicines Australia are collaborating to elevate and unify the voice of Australia's advanced therapies sector.

We recognise the important role of the newly created Solutions for Manufacturing Advanced Regenerative Therapies Cooperative Research Centre (SMART CRC). For this reason, SMART CRC CEO Simon Cool has been invited to join the Group as its inaugural Chair.

Membership comprises senior representatives drawn from across the AusBiotech and Medicines Australia membership bases. They are:

Simon Cool, CEO, SMART CRC (Chair)
Brendon Boot, CEO, Skin2Neuron
Helen Dodds, Clinical Trials Startup Lead, Sanofi
Shanny Dyer, Director, Rheumagen Australia
Dominic Fernandez, Scientific Lead Cell Therapy and Immunotherapy, Epworth Healthcare
Cecile Francis, Director of Partnerships, UniQuest
Kathy Gibson, Executive Director Strategic Medical Engagement, Eli Lilly
Dylan Jones, Country Head of Value and Access, Novartis
Umesh Nair, Major Account Manager, Merck Life Science
Jasmine Oberwalleney, APAC CAR-T Launch Director, Miltenyi Biotec Australia
Gretchen Poortinga, Program Operations Director, Centre of Excellence in Cellular Immunotherapy, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Oona Reardon, Director, Pulse Economics Consulting
Warwick Shaw, Market Access Cell and Gene Therapies, Johnson & Johnson
Rebecca Stratford, Head of Market Access, Oncology, AstraZeneca
Stephen Thompson, Chief Executive Director, Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility

AusBiotech CEO, Rebekah Cassidy:
"The new Advanced Therapies Advisory Group will play a key role in developing and advocating for policy outcomes that help to grow Australia's position as a leader in advanced therapies. AusBiotech is delighted to be collaborating with Medicines Australia to bring the collective expertise of our members together with the SMART CRC. Together we can strengthen opportunities for unified national discussion regarding the development of this sector and, importantly, enable improved Australian patient access to cell and gene technologies."

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."

SMART CRC CEO, Professor Simon Cool:
"The SMART CRC is delighted to join AusBiotech as the voice of 63 partners advancing Australia's regenerative therapy manufacturing capability. With a decade-long pipeline of collaborative projects, we are committed to translating therapies to patients. Partnering with AusBiotech and Medicines Australia is a critical step towards accelerating medical innovation, creating jobs, and building a highly skilled workforce. We look forward to working together to deliver a lasting national impact."

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.

This announcement follows an expression of interest process open to AusBiotech and Medicines Australia members in late 2025.

Media inquiries:
AusBiotech Communications Advisor, Rose Mary Petrass / +61 457 867 78 / [email protected]
Medicines Australia, Anne-Marie Sparrow / +61 417 421 560 / [email protected]

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 AusBiotech
AusBiotech is Australia's leading national and global advocate for life sciences, working to help its more than 3000 members thrive by shaping policy, creating connections, and fostering knowledge sharing. With an unrivalled national convening power, AusBiotech supports its members' growth by
building an Australian life sciences ecosystem that leads in development and commercialisation, creating high-quality, innovative life sciences companies.

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.