NanoPitch Driving Health Innovation
Get inspired by the next big ideas for health innovation.
Sydney Nano researchers are striving to make nanotechnology part of the solution to everyday problems. In health care, nanotechnology can improve outcomes for patients and save lives. At this event, Sydney Nano researchers pitched their ideas to a panel of expert judges to find possible partners to increase the impact of their work. This event will focus on key health areas including MedTech, Pharma, and BioTech, followed by a networking session with drinks and canapes.
Attendees listened to the latest advances in nanotechnology that are driving health innovation at the University of Sydney to:
- Be the first to hear about the latest innovations coming out of the University of Sydney
- Have the opportunity to network with the presenters, researchers, and industry
- Learn the art of pitching
- Find your next research and commercialisation partners
| Speakers | Pitch title |
| Prof. Vesna Miletic (FMH1) |
New biocompatible dental materials |
| A/Prof. Ann Kwan (Faculty of Science) |
Biocompatible coating for 3D printed implants |
| Dr. Md Mahbub Hassan (Faculty of Engineering) |
Nanohydrogel for cellular and ocular therapies |
| Dr. Hien Duong (FMH) |
Bacteriophage nanobots |
| Dr. Matthew Griffith (Faculty of Engineering) |
Development of the affordable artificial retina |
| Dr. Clara Tran (Faculty of Engineering) |
Plasma surface coating for Novel ImmunoDiagnostics platforms |
| A/Prof. Stefano Palomba (Faculty of Science) |
Mobile sensing for improved diagnostic and cancer detection |
| Mr. Matt Hadden (Faculty of Engineering) |
Determining the nanomechanical signature of human pathological tissues using advance analytical and bioengineering tools |
1FMH = Faculty of Medicine and Health. Note program is subject to change without notice.
The judges
Professor Anthony Weiss
Professor Anthony Weiss is the McCaughey Chair in Biochemistry, an NHMRC Leadership Fellow, and a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology. Tony founded the biotechnology clinical stage company Elastagen Pty Ltd which was sold to Allergan/AbbVie in one of the largest transactions ever completed in the Australian life science sector. He was recently awarded the Prime Minister's Prize for Innovation, the NSW Premier's Prize for Science and Engineering Leadership in Innovation, and the Eureka Prize for Innovation in Medical Research. He is also the President of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS).
Professor Julie Cairney
Professor Julie Cairney is the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research – Enterprise and Engagement) at the University of Sydney. Leading the implementation of the University’s industry, government and community research engagement strategy, Professor Cairney supports the Research Portfolio’s work in growing research income across the University, fostering world-class research performance and mentoring, and recognising the impact of our research activities with industry, government and community partners. A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, she serves on the Boards of the NSW Defence Innovation Network and the NSW Smart Sensing Network. She is also the CEO of Microscopy Australia, a national infrastructure project that provides open-access microscopy infrastructure across Australia.
Dr John Kurek
Dr John Kurek is the Biotechnology Investment Manager at Uniseed, Australia's longest running venture fund. At Uniseed John is responsible for identifying new investment opportunities, and also covers Uniseed's overall biotechnology and life sciences portfolio. Uniseed has supported 61 start-up companies, being the seed investor in most of these, and has exited ten investments, to date. John brings 24 years of industry experience as a Biotechnology Manager with a focus on the strategic design and implementation of drug development programs. His experience extends from drug discovery to the clinical phase of drug development. He has acted as a Director on the Board of investee companies that have collectively raised AU$300 million.