Investing in Biotech

Join us for our first 2020 forum of the year on Thursday 22nd May, 6pm (registration from 5.30pm) at the University Club of Western Australia.

Biotech is one of the hottest investment sectors at the moment. The smart money has moved from mining into what some are calling a "biotech revolution". Learn what investors are looking for, the different pathways to market, and what investment opportunities are being taken up by savvy West Australian investors, scientists, and entrepreneurs. Our esteemed panel of experts features two UWA MBA graduates and a PhD from Cambridge.

James Williams - Founder and Investment Director of Yuuwa Capital LP
James is a Founder and Investment Director of Yuuwa Capital LP, a biotechnology and IT focused venture capital firm based in Western Australia. Prior to establishing Yuuwa Capital, James was Managing Director of two medical device companies, ASX-listed Resonance Health Ltd and Argus Biomedical Pty Ltd, both of which took their products to market under his guidance, and CEO of drug discovery company Dimerix Bioscience Pty Ltd. He also conceived, co-founded and was CSO and Director of iCeutica, Inc., a clinical stage nano drug reformulation company that was acquired in 2011.

Dr Deborah Cooper - Independent Consultant to the Biotech sector
Deborah is a Biotech professional who gained her qualifications in the UK, culminating in a PhD from Cambridge University in Cell Biology/Immunology. It was whilst at the Dept. of Surgery UWA that she had the opportunity to move into a commercial technology company and became the inaugural Production Manager at Verigen Australia, a private company with a European parent delivering cell therapy for cartilage repair. Deborah has since spent 12 years in the sector with several organisations, and has been responsible for capital raising in the publically listed environment as well as for product development, commercialisation and strategic positioning. Deborah now utilises those skills as an independent consultant to the Biotech sector, specialising in feasibility and gap analysis for new product development and pathway to market delineation.

Brian Leedman - Chairman of Ausbiotech, Vice President of pSivida Corp
Brian is an investor relations professional focusing on the biotechnology industry and co-founder of two newly ASX listed biotechnology companies, Oncosil Medical Limited (OSL) and Imugene Limited (IMU). As the current Vice President of dual-listed biotechnology company pSivida Corp. (Nasdaq: PSDV, ASX: PVA), he has led many international roadshows that have raised in excess of $45m from Australian, European and United States investment funds. Brian is also the Chairman of Ausbiotech (WA), Director of Heritage Perth and Director of the Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce (WA).