Vale Michael Hirshorn, life science leader

The life science community has lost one of its pioneers and leaders with the passing of Dr Michael Hirshorn, who lost his battle with cancer on Friday 18 November 2011.

Mike had spent over 30 years in the life science industry, from its earliest stages in this country, and helped drive some of its greatest successes.

He played a major role in the commercial development of Cochlear, and spent some time as that company’s CEO. He was also a founding director of Resmed.

His last role was as the founder and director of Four Hats Capital, which specialised in investments in life sciences, IT and other technology companies.

Mike held a number of directorships of companies such as QRX Pharma, LBT Innovations, Biotron, Cathrx, ITL, Dynamic Hearing and TGR BioSciences.

Mike was a member of the AVCAL Council and has served on numerous Government advisory committees including working groups of the Prime Ministers Science Engineering and Innovation Committee.

In 2004 Michael was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for commercialising medical technology, and in 1988 he won BRW Businessman of the Year (Technology) for establishing Cochlear in the US, Europe and Japan.

Mike will be missed by friends and family as well as the broader life science and biotechnology community.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of Mike’s passing. The biotechnology, science and business communities will feel this loss acutely given his active presence and enormous contribution,” said AusBiotech CEO Dr Anna Lavelle.