Peter Cook is a pharmacist by training. He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy Pharmacy, a Masters of Pharmacy, and an MBA.
Mr Cook has extensive experience in innovation and innovation commercialisation with technology-based companies, and a strong manufacturing background. He also has extensive business experience within Australia, and has more than ten years of international commercial experience in Europe, US and Asia where he has lived and worked.
From 1976 to 1985, Mr Cook held senior positions with Nicholas Kiwi (a diversified company whose output ranged from medicine to shoe care, later acquired by US giant Sara Lee), including a stint as director of R&D, and was later based in Singapore as the South-East Asia managing director. He co-founded Invetech in 1987, then worked for a decade for Ansell Australia between 1990 and 1999, initially as group technical manager before becoming a research and development director, president of consumer products, and president of protective products. From 1999 to 2000, Mr Cook was the chief executive of FH Faulding's Hospital Pharmaceuticals. He was also chief executive and managing director of Orbital Corporation for 3 years before becoming chief executive & managing director of biotech company Biota in 2005.
In 2010, Mr Cook was presented with a Monash University Fellowship in recognition of his significant contribution to the life of the community through his professional distinction and outstanding service.