2026 Forum Program

Pyrmont Theatre

9.30 am

Session 1

9.30 am

Welcome and introduction


Chair
Professor Michael Kassiou,
The University of Sydney

Panel
Dr Laura Issa, Bespoke Genetic Medicines Inc.
A/Prof Lindsay Wu, Proto Axiom
Dr Phil Kearney, Amaroq Therapeutics


9.35 am

Keynote

Dr Daniel Beard
Senior Lecturer, The University of Newcastle
Co-Founder and CSO of ShearFlow


10.05 am

ShARC Tank Pitch
An effective therapy for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s Disease

Prof Greg Neely
The University of Sydney
CEO of Enhanced Analgesics

10.30 am

Morning tea

Please note location change to C2.2 after morning tea.

Room C2.2

11.15 am

Session 2

Chair
Dr Sharissa Latham,
Garvan Institute

Panel
Dr Anand Gautam, G2ome Consulting
Dr Maria Lund, IP Group
Chris Alma, Biotech Industry Executive


11.15 am

Pitch
Microbiome-Derived Protein Therapeutics for Colorectal Cancer

Dr Howard Yim
UNSW


11.40 am

Pitch
Fail faster, Succeed smarter:
real-time on-target validation in drug development

Prof Mathias Francois
The University of Sydney


12.05 am

Sponsor presentation

Dr Heather Donaghy
Scientific Engagement Manager, Cell and Gene Therapies
Therapeutic Innovation Australia

12.15 pm

Lunch

1.30 pm

Session 3

Chair
Dr Aster Pijning
Centenary Institute

Panel
Leah Goodman, Biointelect
Dr Prashanth Rajan, Brandon Capital
Prof Paul Young, ABINITIO


1.30 pm

Fireside chat
In conversation with
Prof Michael Kassiou and Dr Aster Pijning

Dr Alan Taylor
Executive Chairperson
Clarity Pharmaceuticals


2.15 pm

Pitch
OptoSleep
A revolutionary new therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Dr Fiona Knapman
UNSW

2.55 pm

Session 4

Chair
Dr Aidan Grosas
University of Wollongong

Panel
Prof Brendon Monahan, MedChem Australia
Dr Mike Lamprecht, Tenmile
Dr Laura Issa, Bespoke Genetic Medicines Inc.


2.55 pm

Pitch
On demand gene therapies for dementia

Dr Magdalena Przybyla
Macquarie University


3.20 pm

Pitch
Small molecule for the discovery of Niemann-Pick Type C disease

Dr Janney Wang
The University of Sydney

3.45 pm

Afternoon tea

4.30 pm

Session 5

Chair
Dr Kirsten Coupland
University of Newcastle

Panel
Kathy Connell, Avecho
Dr Phil Kearney, Amaroq Therapeutics
Dr Wolfgang Jarolimek, Syntara


4.30 pm

Pitch
Targeting histone H3 supply in epigenetically addicted cancers

Dr Jean Bertoldo
Children’s Cancer Institute


4.55 pm

Pitch
Transforming glioblastoma treatment through
targeted gene delivery and blood-brain barrier modulation

Dr Guoying Wang
Macquarie University


5.20 pm

Best speaker awards

5.30 pm

Close