Autogen means business with new appointment

Victorian biotech Autogen has appointed a business development director whose role will be to spark new collaborations and capitalise on its IP.

Dr James Campbell, the former life science investment manager for Melbourne University Private (MUP), joins Autogen as a result of recent restructuring following the departure of former managing director Joseph Gutnick.

Besides his MUP role, Campbell has also led a research group at CSIRO and worked on strategy projects with management consultants Booz Allen Hamilton.

"He's bringing a lot of experience to the company," said Autogen CEO Prof Greg Collier, noting that Campbell's career spanned academic research, management consulting and commercialisation.

Collier said Campbell was a good fit at Autogen, and that his initial role would be to maximise biotechnology collaborations. "We have several collaborations with pharmaceutical companies and are looking at more collaborations," he said.

"But we also have a whole range of new targets, and this is the next step in really concentrating on our core business."

In a statement, Campbell said Autogen had a tremendous portfolio of IP: "The international market has recognised Autogen's strong IP position, and is accessing the company's eXpress technology platform and other patented technologies, in comprehensive partnerships."

Campbell begins his role at Autogen on September 1.