AusBiotech appoints new board member

AusBiotech yesterday announced the election of a new member to its board of directors following the national biotechnology organisation’s annual general meeting, held at the national conference in Melbourne.

Michelle Burke, Director of External Affairs at Bristol-Myers Squibb (B-MS) Australia, has been elected to help lead AusBiotech. Burke has a long history of working with multinational pharmaceutical companies and currently holds the position of Co-Chair of the Access Strategic Committee at Medicines Australia. She has chaired working groups on high-profile policy issues associated with PBS reform and the 12.5% pricing policy implementation. More recently, she has been engaged in the opposition to the Private Members’ (gene patent) Bill last year and worked with the AusBiotech team on biologics medicines policies.

AusBiotech Chairman Dr Deborah Rathjen says Burke’s experience and background will be a great addition to the biotechnology industry’s peak body. 

“Many of our member companies are entering the later stages of development and are beginning to explore partnership opportunities with large, multinational pharmaceutical companies. Michelle brings extensive experience and knowledge around the needs of these international companies and also the pathways to commercialising and marketing new products. Mrs Burke will also assist our organisation to work more closely with our partners and friends at Medicines Australia, as we share many positions on issues affecting Australia’s life sciences industry,” Dr Rathjen said.

Burke’s current role at B-MS ensures extensive knowledge of the policy environment at a strategic and practical level. She has worked with the biotechnology sector and in pharmaceutical organisations for the majority of her career.

Burke’s election follows another recent addition to the board earlier in the year, with the appointment of investment manager and venture capitalist Dr Mark Harvey, a partner at CM Capital Investments.

“With these recent additions, our board is gaining new expertise and knowledge to provide practical and valuable leadership and services to our industry. We always strive to respond to the current needs of our members. Our new directors will help us to do this in new and innovative ways,” said Dr Rathjen.

AusBiotech also announced the retirement of two board members, Dr Paul Walton and Dr Peter Isdale AM. Dr Walton, while Senior Vice-President of Corporate Development at CSL, joined the AusBiotech board in October 2010. Dr Isdale joined the board in July 2010 and is General Manager - Research and Innovation, Corporate with Transpacific Industries Group.

“Dr Walton and Dr Isdale have provided invaluable leadership to our industry over the last few years during a challenging period, as governments reviewed many critical areas such as patent protection, research and development funding and policies to support clinical trials. Both men have provided their wisdom and insight to help us develop clear and effective positions on these issues,” said Dr Rathjen.

With this year’s appointments and the retirements, the new AusBiotech board of directors is:

• Dr Deborah Rathjen (Chair)
• Dr Anna Lavelle (Chief Executive Officer)
• Dr Mark Harvey
• Dr Meera Verma
• Michelle Burke
• Peter Turvey
• Dr Greg Roger