ProGel, a revolutionary micro-encapsulation technology, is among the many University of Queensland technologies UniQuest will be promoting at the annual Ausbiotech Conference next week, the premier biotechnology meeting for the Asia Pacific region.
With particles smaller than 50 microns, the ProGel technology allows for the low cost, bulk encapsulation of food, pharmaceutical and neutraceutical ingredients. ProGel particles are capable of surviving the stomach’s acidic conditions and can be ingested, inhaled or administered to the eyes for slow, targeted release. ProGel also masks unpleasant tastes and odours, including fish oil.
Other UniQuest projects to be promoted at Ausbiotech this year include therapeutics for managing pain, infectious diseases, metabolic diseases, and autoimmune diseases; medical devices; R & D tools; cancer therapies; diagnostic discoveries; vaccine and drug delivery innovations; new food and agricultural technologies; and future biofuel sources.
These opportunities are based on research from The University of Queensland’s science faculties and institutes (AIBN, QBI, Diamantina)*, as well as UniQuest’s other research partners: University of Wollongong, Mater Medical Research Institute, James Cook University, University of Technology Sydney, University of Tasmania, two ARC Centres of Excellence (integrative legume research and functional nanomaterials).
From its base within the Ausbiotech Conference exhibition hall (stand 62) UniQuest will have more than ten representatives actively networking with potential investors, licensees and research partners to advance its portfolio of new life sciences projects, as well as celebrate the many milestones reached since UniQuest was established in 1984.
UniQuest has helped to launch several ground-breaking Australian life sciences innovations:
• UniQuest was involved with the early commercialisation of the HPV technology discovered by Dr Ian Frazer and his late research partner Dr Jian Zhou, which has contributed to the development of a vaccine for cervical cancer. Since 2006, more than 45 million doses of Gardasil have been distributed worldwide.
• UniQuest bio-pharmaceutical start-up QRxPharma Limited listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in May 2007 and made history as Australia’s biggest biotechnology float. QRxPharma is continuing to commercialise University of Queensland-based innovations in pain management and cardiovascular health products.
• Another UniQuest start-up, ImpediMed Ltd, closed oversubscribed when it listed on the ASX and as a publicly-listed company it continues to focus on becoming the leading global supplier of non-invasive medical devices for assessment of individuals at risk of secondary lymphoedema and for monitoring of body hydration and composition.
UniQuest Managing Director, David Henderson, believes university-based life sciences innovations are contributing significantly to the Australian biotech industry
“In our 25 year history we have seen world-changing discoveries become available to the market and this year, UniQuest will be promoting a new wave of exciting licensing and start-up opportunities to investors and licensing partners,” Mr Henderson said.
“Our Ausbiotech stand will highlight the past, present and the future. We are looking forward to catching up with contacts who have played a role in the success of our biotech portfolio over the years and welcoming new prospective partners to our network.”
Ausbiotech 2009 will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from October 27-30.
* Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN); Diamantina Institute for Cancer, Immunology and Metabolic Medicine; Queensland Brain Institute (QBI);
Media enquiries: Leanne Wyvill +61 7 3365 4037, 0409 767 199 or l.wyvill@uniquest.com.au
About UniQuest
Established by The University of Queensland in 1984, UniQuest is widely recognised as one of Australia’s largest and most successful university commercialisation groups, benchmarking in the top tier of technology transfer worldwide. The company’s charter is to identify, package and commercialise research-based technologies, expertise and facilities to the community, industry, business and government. It has created more than 60 companies, and since 2000 UniQuest and its start-ups have raised a quarter of a billion dollars to take UQ technologies to market. Sales of products using UQ technology and licensed by UniQuest are now running at $5.2 billion per year. UniQuest now commercialises research, expertise and technologies developed at The University of Queensland, University of Wollongong, University of Technology Sydney, James Cook University, University of Tasmania and the Mater Medical Research Institute. For more information about UniQuest, please visit www.uniquest.com.au.
