Connect Program Workshop
We are excited to announce that the first Connect Program workshop of 2022 will take place at the University of Melbourne and online on Friday 4 March.
The theme of the workshop is Entrepreneurship & Commercialisation Pathways.
When: Friday 4 March, 10am to 3pm.
Where: RMIT, Room 7&8 Conference Room, Level 7, Storey Hall (The Green Brain), Building 16, RMIT University, 342 Swanston Street, Melbourne | Online via Teams Live.
Register: To attend the in-person event, please click here.
Speakers will include:
- Vahram Papyan (Commercialisation Facilitator, Entrepreneurs Program, AusIndustry);
- Robert Crombie (VIC/TAS State Lead for i4 Connect).
- Sebastian Marcuccio, Advanced Molecular Technologies.
Nicholas Kirkwood, Science and Industry Liaison Manager, Exciton Science
Vahram and Robert will provide an overview on AusIndustry’s entrepreneurship program, and how they can help new entrepreneurs reach their goals.
Nicholas will talk about his experience in the scale up and invaluable experience he had working on a covid particle project in 2020/21 and how that has led him to his new role facilitating new industry connections and projects for Exciton Science.
Sebastian will discuss his experience of developing new products and IP in Australia.
The event will run from 10am to 3pm, with a one-hour break for lunch. Catering will be provided for all attendees.
The event will also be made available online via Teams Live for members who are unable to attend in person.
Schedule of Speakers
MC – Niki Strachan, Media and Communications Officer, ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science
10:00 - Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country - Paul Mulvaney, Director, ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science
10:15 - Sebastian Marcuccio, Advanced Molecular Technologies
11:00 - Coffee Break
11:20 - Nicholas Kirkwood, Science and Industry Liaison Manager, ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science
12:00 - Lunch and Networking
1:00 - Vahram Papyan, Commercialisation Facilitator, Entrepreneurs Program, AusIndustry, and Robert Crombie, VIC/TAS State Lead for i4 Connect
2:00 - End
Speakers
Vahram Papyan
Vahram is a seasoned professional with over 10 years of experience in start-ups, technology, mining, and consulting companies, with a multi-faceted background encompassing business intelligence and analytics, strategy, IP and innovation development, and supply chain management.
He has held several senior executive positions in the technology and mining industries, including as Chief of Strategy for an ASX-listed advanced manufacturing company with a valuation of over $100M and Deputy Director for a $94M European greenfield mining project.
Robert Crombie
Rob the VIC/TAS State Lead for i4 Connect, delivering the Accelerating Commercialisation programme through his role as Managing Director of C2CC, a specialist professional services company looking to turn smart innovation into commercial ventures.
He is an experienced operational and transaction-focused executive with a strong track record in building biotechnology companies in both the UK and Australia.
Rob has had previous roles as CEO of venture-backed QUE Oncology Incorporated as well as the founding CEO of ASX-listed Prescient Therapeutics.
Rob played a key role as Head of Melbourne Operations at Arana Therapeutics, taking the company from start-up stage through an IPO to Arana’s $318M upfront cash sale to Cephalon Incorporated.
Nick is Exciton Science's new Science and Industry Liaison Manager working to facilitate and create new industry based projects within the Centre.
Sebastian Marcuccio
Professor Marcuccio has over 35 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical drug discovery and development area.
Following his PhD in organic/medicinal chemistry at the Australian National University, he undertook postdoctoral studies in North America.
On returning to Australia, he was appointed Senior Tutor in Organic Chemistry at the University of Melbourne before joining CSIRO in 1986.
His significant contributions to medicinal chemistry include one drug having reached phase II clinical trials for the treatment of Hepatitis B and a number of preclinical candidates currently in development.
His work resulted in the establishment of Boron Molecular Pty Ltd at which he was the founding scientist, R&D director and board member between 2001 and 2004.
In 2005, Professor Marcuccio established Advanced Molecular Technologies Pty Ltd (AMT), as a biotech incubator and to develop new products and intellectual property in a variety of areas including new anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral drugs as well as a range of catalogue compounds for the fine chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.
Remote access
To join the event remotely via Teams Live, please click here.
