ausbiotech 2014
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Graeme O’Neill
Medical research Seeking the right company
P
microbiologists, and former chancellor of Victoria’s
that may involve working with or licensing external
La Trobe University.
companies, or setting up our own - it’s a crucial part
Gannon was recruited to head QIMR Berghofer rof Gannon is the director of the
Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane,
Australia excels in biomedical research but sucks at commercialisation. Professor Frank Gannon says that needs to change.
of what should be happening.
in 2011 from his former post as director-general of the
“The work we perform generally comes under
Science Foundation of Ireland, the dominant funding
the heading of translational research, but we prefer
agency for all research in Ireland.
a more rigorous description: there are several lead-
the translational arm of the Queensland Institute of
“Its motto is ‘Research with Consequences’ - it
up phases that get bundled with translation, that
Medical Research (QIMR). The institute is dedicated
supports excellence, and expects consequences,” he
we need to dissect out: the discovery of a target, its
to doing well, what Australia has done so poorly:
said. “When you normalise for differences in GDP,
characterisation, developing molecules to interfere
turning discoveries in cancer research, infectious
Ireland ranks close to Australia in the league table for
with the target, and then, translation.”
diseases, complex medical disorders and mental
research output but it does better than Australia in
health into new treatments, novel diagnostics and
transferring research results to industry.
prevention strategies.
“When the foundation was established, there was
“In the past, during the progression from discovery and translation, the enabling step of working with industry has tended to be omitted from the
Gannon, who is from Ireland, retells an all-too-
an expectation that it would foster a culture in which
familiar tale: Australia ranks 11th in the world for
scientists would work with industry to commercialise
Prof Gannon suggests that one reason why
generating new medical knowledge but languishes
their discoveries. They have come to know each other
Australia has done so poorly at commercialising its
near the tail of the field in transferring that knowledge
very well.”
medical discoveries is that Australian researchers are
to industry and the clinic.
discourse.”
Gannon says QIMR Berghofer is focused on
rewarded predominantly for publishing research
He will present the prestigious Millis Oration at
producing an impact from excellent research. “In
papers - not for their efforts in commercialising their
the AusBiotech 2014 Conference on the Gold Coast
the past, we have tended to focus on the impact in
discoveries.
this month - the oration honours the late Professor
the clinic,” he said. “We now recognise that, to get to
The process of research leading to publication
Emeritus Nancy Millis, one of Australia’s greatest
the clinic, we have to go through a commercial phase
becomes circular - an end in itself. “We need to break
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