Medicines Australia and AusBiotech appoint new Director to steer the ‘Catalyst’

Stepping into the next chapter of Medicines Australia and AusBiotech’s joint venture, Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea AM has assumed the pivotal role of Director for the Cell and Gene Catalyst. This national collaboration between the two industry bodies is supported by a steering group featuring Pfizer, Novartis, Therapeutic Innovation Australia, Cell Therapies and CSL Behring.

Renowned for her extensive expertise at the interface of industry, academia, education, and government, Dr Evans-Galea previously served as the Director of STEM Careers Strategy at the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE). During her tenure, she spearheaded the strategic and operational development and delivery of ATSE’s $43M portfolio of national STEM Careers programs, which included initiatives like the IMNIS Industry engagement initiative, Elevate: Boosting Women in STEM Scholarships program and the STELR Schools engagement program.

With a rich background in leading international pre-clinical research programs in cell and gene therapy, notably at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Dr Evans-Galea is primed to steer the Catalyst towards transformative advancements.

Expressing her enthusiasm, she remarked “I am excited to apply my experience and expertise in cell and gene therapies, public policy and advocacy, and STEM workforce capacity-building. I aim to facilitate connections, opportunities and growth of Australia’s dynamic and vibrant advanced therapeutics sector.

“On a personal note, it is immensely rewarding for me to return to the health sector and enhance the field to which I devoted more than 15 years of my research career. This fits with my ‘why’. As a sector we all work together to help people living with debilitating disease.”

The inception of the Cell and Gene Catalyst traces its roots to AusBiotech’s Regenerative Medicine Consortium Project and the Strategic Roadmap for the Regenerative Medicine sector in Australia. The Catalyst is set to actively engage and collaborate with the sector, ensuring accessible, world-class treatments such as cancer immunotherapies, cell and gene therapies, and gene-editing therapeutics for all Australians. Aiming to fortify the national cell and gene therapy ecosystem, this industry-led initiative is geared towards enhancing capabilities across the entire value chain.

The Catalyst will strategically focus on accelerating the development, translation, commercialisation, and manufacturing of cell and gene therapies within Australia, propelling the nation to a leadership position on the global stage and bolstering both health and economy. Through industry-led education and training, the Catalyst aims to carve out new job opportunities in this rapidly expanding industry for Australia’s diverse and skilled STEM workforce.

Elizabeth de Somer, CEO of Medicines Australia, emphasised, “The future of medicine is rapidly evolving, and cell and gene therapies are leading the charge. There are currently 140 of these therapies in the final stages of development around the world, however, only a few of these innovative treatments are currently approved and funded in Australia.”

Ms de Somer underscored the critical need for Australian patients to access these innovative therapies and highlighted the ongoing Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Review as a prime opportunity to streamline the system and expedite access to these life-transforming treatments.

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