Ambri scientist appointed to NSW Innovation Council

Ambri's Dr Bruce Cornell is the new addition to the NSW Innovation Council, after being appointed by the Treasurer and Minister for State Development, Michael Egan.

The council advises the NSW government on programs and policies to help create jobs, investments and exports through increased investment in the public and private sector.

One priority area for the Innovation Council is commercialisation of biotechnology.

Cornell, Ambri's senior vice-president and chief scientist, said that creativity and flair were important components in the commercialisation of products.

"Innovation is a long-term process and tenacity is a large ingredient in becoming a successful company," he said.

At the first council meeting today, Cornell said, "we discussed a number of deals between the states involving the sharing of resources between Victoria and Queensland. There is an encouraging amount of collaboration between states - it's not nearly as hostile as some believe."

He said that interaction between the states was reflected in the number of companies that had flown in from interstate areas to display their technology at the Australian Technology Showcase, a NSW government initiative.

Cornell and other members of the NSW Innovation Council attended the showcase, he said "joining crowds of thousands viewing the 300 or so exhibits from start-up companies and those in the early phase of commercialisation."

"There is a degree of sophistication in the displayed commercial products," he said.

"Usually there's an army of academic institutes and a few commercial successes, but this year there were many more commercialised technologies."

Of the 439 applications, 321 were selected to display at the showcase.