August saw BioNSW kick-off the Financial Year with a retrospective look at NSW's delegation to the 2024 BIO Conference. At an event kindly hosted by King & Wood Mallesons and in collaboration with Investment NSW and NSW Health, a packed room heard feedback from a variety of sectors and representatives from the state government's supporting agencies.
Panel Summary Preparation and Objectives:
Zoe Terpening was new to BIO and focused on understanding the international context and value of the NSW ecosystem. Her main objectives were to learn and understand the global perspective.
David Fox was returning to BIO after a long break and focused on re-establishing key networks and building trust relationships.
Christian Toouli attends BIO regularly and aims to progress partnership and licensing discussions, often starting outreach months in advance.
Catherine O'Mahony was a first-time attendee and focused on strategies for Australian companies to expand internationally, as well as networking with other Australian businesses.
Successes and Struggles:
Zoe Terpening faced some logistical challenges as a first-time attendee, but valued the opportunity to meet virtually-known partners in person and gain new insights on NSW's value proposition.
David Fox highlighted the importance of understanding the different incentives and "languages" of the various stakeholders (finance, regulatory, etc.) to effectively engage.
Christian Toouli emphasized the long-term nature of building relationships and partnerships at BIO, which can take years of nurturing.
Catherine O'Mahony found the support from Investment NSW and NSW Health invaluable as a first-time attendee, and highlighted the strong "Team Australia" camaraderie.
Overall, the panellists shared a range of positive experiences and valuable learnings, while also acknowledging the challenges of navigating the scale and complexity of the BIO conference. The importance of preparation, relationship-building, and understanding the diverse stakeholder landscape emerged as key themes.
Find the full event recording below.
Based on the insights shared by the panelists, here is a summary of key advice and tips for those looking to attend BIO next year:
Start preparing early - Reach out to networks, build relationships, and get familiar with the BIO partnering system well in advance (3-6 months prior).
Understand the diverse stakeholder landscape - Be aware of the different "languages" and incentives of the various groups you may engage with (e.g. investors, regulators, large pharma, etc.) and tailor your approach accordingly.
Leverage support programs - Take advantage of the preparation workshops, pitch coaching, and other support services offered by organizations like Investment NSW and MTP Connect to get ready for the conference.
Focus on quality over quantity - It's better to have a smaller number of high-quality meetings than to try to pack in as many as possible. Quality relationships and trust-building are key.
Embrace the networking opportunities - In addition to the formal partnering, be open to serendipitous conversations and connections, as these can often lead to valuable outcomes.
Follow up diligently - Don't let the momentum from BIO fade - be proactive in re-engaging with contacts and progressing potential partnerships or collaborations.
Provide feedback - Share your experiences and suggestions for improvement with the organizers, as this helps shape the support and programs for future years.
Consider a multi-year approach - Attending BIO is often a long-term endeavour, so be prepared to build relationships and progress opportunities over multiple years.
By keeping these tips in mind, attendees can maximize the value of their BIO experience and set themselves up for success in the global life sciences ecosystem.
Our sincere thanks to everyone who attended and the fantastic panel who contributed so pertinently!
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Event Schedule
12.30pm, Welcome:
Suzy Madar, Partner at KWM
Qiao Qiao, Director at Tadpole Bio & Committee Member, BioNSW
12.35pm, Panel: BIO 20224 – Success Stories & Lessons Learned
Moderator: Dr Brad Walsh, CEO at GlyTherix, Minomic International
Dr Zoe Terpening, Director Strategy & Precincts at UNSW
Christian Toouli PhD GAICD, CEO and Managing Director at FivepHusion
David Fox PhD MAICD, CEO at Topelia Australia
Catherine O’Mahony, Director at On Q Recruitment
1.15pm, Presentations: NSW GGP Updates & Feedback; A History of NSW at BIO USA
Nicoline van Cann, Associate Director, Export at Investment NSW
Anne O’Neill, Director, Enterprise, International Partnerships and Clinical Trials at NSW Health OHMR
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