Panbio finds R&D leader in its own backyard

Medical diagnostics company Panbio has headhunted Prof Stuart Hazell, dean of the University of Southern Queensland's science faculty, as its vice-president for R&D.

His appointment caps a global hunt by the Brisbane biotech, which was looking for strong leadership of its increasingly complex R&D environment as its interests widen from diagnostics into drug development.

Hazell will oversee five core R&D teams at Panbio, some of which are conducting DNA and RNA probe tests while others are investigating generic platforms for drug development as well as diagnostics.

The irony of an international recruiting effort that discovered the best candidate in its own backyard is not lost upon Panbio CEO Mel Bridges. However, Hazell's combination of academic, research and commercial credentials clearly marked him out as the best choice for the position, Bridges said.

"We believe we found the right candidate within an hour of Brisbane. He has demonstrated leadership and management ability and as well as a research and academic background he has a strong commercial focus."

Hazell is considered one of the world authorities on the bacterium Helicobacter pylori which has been linked to the development of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer.

His work has led to development of a diagnostic test to detect the infection and he's been named as co-inventor on two patents assigned to CSL, relating to the treatment and prevention of Helicobacter infection using catalase as an antigen, and had an ongoing role in the development of a vaccine for the disease.

His commercial background embraces collaborations with a number of large pharmas, including with Astra and Pfizer. He's also held research and academic posts with five universities or research stations in Australia and the US.