$780m Sydney Biomedical Accelerator gains its founding Executive Director

Professor Victoria Cogger has been appointed as founding Executive Director of the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator (SBA), which opens in 2028. A $780 million partnership between the University of Sydney, Sydney Local Health District and the NSW Government, the SBA is intended to transform Australia’s biomedical landscape by fast-tracking world-leading research into real-world healthcare solutions.

Cogger — an international research leader in aging liver and targeted drug delivery, with a strong track record in research commercialisation — joins the SBA from her current role as Director of the ANZAC Research Institute at Concord Hospital. “Taking this role is the realisation of a lifelong ambition to really focus on impact, and to give others the opportunity to do the same,” Cogger said.

“The SBA is about giving our researchers and clinicians the best support and opportunities to work collaboratively with each other, and with industry, to make that happen,” Cogger added. “In 10 or 15 years these opportunities will create greater impact through better therapies, precision treatments, different care pathways [and] knowledge sharing, and we will approach healthcare problems in different ways.”

Cogger counts among her most recent achievements having co-founded spinout EndoAxiom to lead the development of nanomedicines for clinical use. A culmination of 20 years of research by Cogger and colleagues has seen its lead product, nanotechnology-based oral insulin for diabetes treatment, progress to phase 1 clinical trials.

“Victoria’s extensive skills and experience working at the interface between universities and the health system make her the perfect fit for this role,” said Professor Mark Scott AO, University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and President. “She understands both the opportunities and complexities the SBA partnership brings, and above all she is passionate about the ultimate goal of improving health care for patients.”

On the appointment, Deb Willcox AM, Chief Executive of Sydney Local Health District, said: “Victoria is an outstanding appointment and the right person to realise the vision of the SBA.” Willcox added, “She is also a beacon for women in medicine and research and for those young women aspiring for a career in these endeavours.”

Image credit: University of Sydney/Stefanie Zingsheim