|
2008
Thredbo Biotech Summit - Final Program as at 5pm Friday
18 July
(All sessions in Kosciuszko Room, Thredbo
Alpine Hotel, unless otherwise stated) |
| Thursday
24 July, 2008 |
| 8.00pm |
Informal
drinks and ski race briefing (Bernti's Bar, Thredbo
Village) |
| Friday
25 July, 2008 |
| 8.00am - 1pm |
Registration |
| 1.00pm |
Welcome
to the Thredbo Biotech Summit 2008 |
| 1.05pm |
Australian
Biotech: The Year In Review
The Bioshares team will review the events of the past
12 months in the local biotech sectors, highlighting
current trends, update on M&A activity and expected
IPO activity. A commercialisation timeline for the Australian
biotech sector will be provided together with a look
at the changing investment landscape and new entrants
into the sector.
- David Blake & Mark
Pachacz, Bioshares |
| 1.30pm |
Global Biotech:
The Year In Review
This presentation will look at international trends
in the international biotech sector, major events
that have occurred in the past 12 months, and the
outlook for the global biotech sector.
- Shane Storey, Wilson HTM
|
| 2.00pm |
Building Critical
Mass
The last two years has seen a two-tiered structure
occur in the Australian biotech sector. Companies
with late stage programs, over $20 million in cash,
a capitalisation in excess of $150 million and a strong
management team and board have been branded the Tier-1
biotechs. Companies capitalised at less than $50 million
with earlier stage programs and often living hand-to-mouth
due to limited funding are set to experience even
more dire conditions if the current credit squeeze
does not improve. This session will explore the options
open to companies to reach this point of critical
mass.
- Dr Greg Collier, CEO Chemgenex
Pharmaceuticals
- Prof. Silviu Itescu, Founder Mesoblast
- Michael Aldridge, CEO
Peplin
|
| 3.00pm
- Tea & Coffee Break |
| 3.45pm |
| |
Special
Guest Speaker - Dr Lester Crawford (former Commissioner
of the FDA)
As a former head of the FDA, Dr Crawford
has been invited to Australia as the Special
Guest Speaker at the 2008 Thredbo Biotech Summit.
His experience as a former chief regulator will
provide the basis for an invaluable and unique
opportunity for delegates to discuss critical
regulatory issues in the intimate environment
of Thredbo. Dr Crawford will present on mistakes
most commonly made by biotech companies globally
with the FDA with an interactive discussion
with delegates following the formal presentation.
Moderator - Mike Hirshorn
(Session sponsored by Arana Therapeutics
& QRxPharma) |
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|
| 5.00pm |
When to Change
the Biotech Business Model
Commercial biotechnology is over 25 years old. It continues
to be an evolving industry dependent on technology advances
that must work within existing healthcare systems that
also need to evolve. But what happens when your existing
biotech business model is not working? How do you make
the necessary changes in mid-flight? In this session
we will hear from companies that have needed to take
this road less travelled and the lessons that have been
learned.
- Michael Ohanessian, CEO Genetic
Technologies Ltd
|
| 5.25pm |
Technology
Focus - Pain
Several Australian companies are specialising in the
development of therapeutics for the treatment of pain.
There have been few commercial successes in this field
however the potential rewards are high. This session
will provide an overview of this filed together with
a look at the different approaches being taken by several
companies active in this space.
- Dr John Holaday, CEO QRxPharma
- Dr Ian Nisbet, CEO Xenome |
| 6.00pm |
Communication
& Investor Relations
Communication with investors in the biotech sector
is a critical business task for listed companies.
The technology can be difficult to understand and
assess, and there is a constant need to additional
funding from investors to continue development. Do
announcements need to be expanded or simplified, should
companies hold regular R&D days? Should companies
ensure there is sufficient planning for the next 12
months of news flow? Are companies getting it right?
This panel session will involve an open discussion
with communication specialists.
- Dr Deborah Rathjen, CEO
Bionomics
Panellists: Eva Reuter(Dr.
Reuter IR), Fay Weston (Talk Biotech),
Rudi Michelson (Monsoon Communications),
Stephen Nash (OTCQx, Merriman Curham
Ford)
Chair: Dr Deborah Rathjen
|
| 6.30pm |
End of day’s
formal sessions |
7.30pm
- 10.30pm - Cocktail
Reception - Credo Restaurant - Sponsored
by Wilson HTM
|
| Saturday
26 July 2008 |
| 7.30am |
Tea
& Coffee |
| 7.45am |
Antibodies:
Revolution & Evolution
This session will look at the evolution of antibody
drugs, what has made this class of drugs incredibly
successful, the hurdles that have been passed and
the limitations to date, and the challenges and opportunities
for next generation antibody drugs.
- Dr David Fuller, CMO Arana
Therapeutics
|
| 8.20am |
Accessing
Overseas Markets Part A: Re-imbursement
Gaining re-imbursement for healthcare products
is seldom discussed by investment groups yet is a
crucial factor to the successful launch of most drug
and medical device products. This session will focus
on navigating through the very complex US re-imbursement
system and what questions investors should be asking.
- Greg Brown, CEO ImpediMed
Accessing
Overseas Markets Part B: Pricing & Negotiating the
EU Regulatory Framework
The pricing of pharmaceutical products about
to be launched on the market requires much consideration.
Once a reimbursement rate is set it's difficult change.
And when you have one product to be used for different
indications the decision process becomes very complicated.
Working through the European regulatory process can
very challenging with several Australian gaining considerable
experience. These topics will be explored in detail
in this session.
- Dr Alan Robertson, CEO Pharmaxis |
| 9.20am |
The
Changing Generics Industry: Part A
This presentation will look at the changes occurring
in the global generic pharmaceutical business. Low cost
generic players from India are squashing margins, and
generic players have been forced into developing branded
products, either NCEs or super-generics.
- Dr Peter Smith, CEO Alchemia
The Changing
Generics Industry: Part B
This presentation will be a case study of a
highly successful generics business, Abraxis, that was
formed initially as a generic pharmaceutical business
and more recently has built its fortune on the success
of its super-generic drug, Abraxane.
- Carlo Montagner, Director Alchemia |
| 10am-11am
- Tea & Coffee Break |
| 11.00am |
Partnering
This presentation will consider the partnering
options for biotech companies. When is the right time
to partner? Should biotechs be holding onto their assets
further up the value chain? Has partnering changed,
how does the partnering option change for companies
with a different asset base? What do investors expect
or want.
- Dan Devine, CEO Patrys |
| 11.20am |
Innovative
Business Models for Emerging Technologies
This session will look at innovative business models
required by both Pharma and biotech for the successful
commercialisation of new technologies, such as stem
cell therapy. The session will from both pharma and
biotech followed by a panel discussion by groups active
in the stem cell space.
Speakers: Dr Ajan Reginald (Roche),
Dr Alastair Riddell (CEO Stem Cell Sciences)
Panelists: Prof. Silviu Itescu (Founder
Mesoblast)
|
| 12.00pm |
Analyst
& Investor Panel – Surviving the Capital Market
Squeeze
Representatives of newly formed biotech funds will discuss
their mandates, describing their investment philosophies
and investment activities to date. An investor panel
session will follow to discuss current investment issues,
provide their outlook perspectives for the sector, discuss
the current squeeze on capital for cash thirsty biotechs
and what alternative options are out there for companies.
- Matt McNamara, Investment Manager,
Intersuisse Bioscience Managers
- David Fisher, Director Brandon Capital
Partners
Other Panelists: Scott Power (Analyst,
ABN Amro Morgans), Dr Gregor Rozenberg
(Senior Investment Manager, Queensland BioCapital Funds)
Chair: Dr Carrie Hillyard, Partner,
CM Capital |
| 12.30pm |
Private
Company Previews
In this session a selected list of invited companies
that we expect will become of more interest to investors
over the next 12 months will argue their business case,
describing the challenges ahead and achievements to
date, the potential of their technology and the funding
that has been required to bring their businesses to
their current stage and from where that investment has
been sourced.
- Duncan Veal, CEO Fluorotechnics
- Kerry Hegarty, CEO Sienna Diagnostics
- Mark Compton, CEO Immune System Therapeutics |
| 1.00
- 4.00pm Ski Break / Networking |
| 4.00pm |
Afternoon
Tea (Threbo
Alpine Hotel lounge) |
| 4.30pm |
Session A:
CEO Closed Session
This session is strictly for biotech CEOs only.
Topics to be discussed will include: when is the right
time to kill a development project; how do you build
the perfect share register; working with boards of directors;
communications with the market.
(Townsend Room, Thredbo Alpine Hotel)
Sponsored and chaired
by Freehills
Session
B: Networking or Investment Seminar
Following an afternoon of skiing, delegates
are invited to informally network with other conference
delegates (Guest Lounge Thredbo Alpine Hotel)
or attend a special seminar on biotech investment strategies
(Tate Room, Thredbo Alpine Hotel) where warm
refreshments will be provided.
|
6.00pm
End of Conference Sessions |
| |
6.45pm
& 7.00pm sharp - Late: Conference Dinner at Lake
Crackenback Resort
(Buses leave adjacent to Thredbo Apline Hotel &
information booth, Friday Drive) |
