Michelle Burke joins AusBiotech board

The AusBiotech board is receiving an injection of expertise on the inner workings of pharmaceutical companies along with the manners of regulators with the appointment of Mrs Michelle Burke to the board.

Burke is the Director of External Affairs at Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia, and also holds the position of Co-chair of the Access Strategic Committee at Medicines Australia.

Burke’s responsibilities at B-MS include: early asset commercialisation; pricing and reimbursement; government affairs and policy analysis; and public affairs and communications.

She has been intimately involved in several major policy issues in the biotechnology space, including Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme reform, biologics medicine policy and in opposition to the gene patenting bill introduced to parliament last year.

AusBiotech Chairman, Dr Deborah Rathjen, says Mrs Burke’s experience and background will be a great addition to the biotechnology industry’s peak body.

“Many of our member companies are entering the later stages of development and are beginning to explore partnership opportunities with large, multinational pharmaceutical companies.

“Michelle brings extensive experience and knowledge around the needs of these international companies and also the pathways to commercialising and marketing new products.

“Mrs Burke will also assist our organisation to work more closely with our partners and friends at Medicines Australia, as we share many positions on issues affecting Australia’s life sciences industry.”

Burke’s election follows the appointment earlier this year of investment manager and venture capitalist Dr Mark Harvey, a partner at CM Capital Investments. “With these recent additions, our board is gaining new expertise and knowledge to provide practical and valuable leadership and services to our industry. We always strive to respond to the current needs of our members. Our new directors will help us to do this in new and innovative ways,” says Dr Rathjen.

AusBiotech also announced the retirement of Dr Paul Walton and Dr Peter Isdale AM from the board.

Dr Walton, Senior Vice-President of Corporate Development at CSL Limited, joined the AusBiotech Board in October 2010. Dr Isdale joined the Board in July 2010 and is the General Manager – Research and Innovation, Corporate, with Transpacific Industries Group Ltd

“Dr Walton and Dr Isdale have provided invaluable leadership to our industry over the last few years, during a challenging period as governments reviewed many critical areas such as patent protection, research and development funding and policies to support clinical trials,” said Rathjen.

“Both men have provided their wisdom and insight to help us develop clear and effective positions on these issues,” said Dr Rathjen.

The AusBiotech board now includes:

Dr Deborah Rathjen (Chair) Dr Anna Lavelle (Chief Executive Officer) Dr Mark Harvey Dr Meera Verma Mrs Michelle Burke Mr Peter Turvey Dr Greg Roger

The announcement came after the AusBiotech AGM, which was held at the AusBiotech 2012 national conference today.