AusBiotech appoints new CEO: Former Sanofi corporate affairs and sustainability leader takes the helm

Biotech News: AusBiotech, the nation’s leading industry body for the biotech sector, has named former leader at Sanofi, Rebekah Cassidy, as its incoming Chief Executive Officer. Cassidy, renowned for her strategic acumen and deep understanding of the health industry, will take the helm on 20 May 2024.

With a career spanning leadership roles in large corporations, global entities, and governmental bodies, Cassidy brings a wealth of experience in navigating complex stakeholder ecosystems and fostering impactful partnerships. Her most recent tenure as Sanofi’s Deputy Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability for Australia & New Zealand underscores her commitment to driving positive change within the health sector.

Dr James Campbell, Interim Chair of AusBiotech, expressed the board’s enthusiasm for Cassidy’s appointment, stating, “Rebekah’s policy and stakeholder expertise, coupled with her track record in transparent and inclusive leadership and her clear passion for amplifying an aligned voice for life sciences in Australia, made her a standout candidate. The Board and I are looking forward to supporting Rebekah as she leads a new way forward for our committed AusBiotech team.”

Cassidy expressed gratitude for the opportunity, emphasising her eagerness to contribute to AusBiotech’s mission.

“Australia is well known for the strength of its biotechnology community and we can all be immensely proud of both the exceptional science that the sector delivers as well as the social and economic value that members bring,” she said.

Contemplating her most impactful and memorable moments during her tenure at Sanofi, she told Health Industry Hub, “Sanofi is an extraordinary organisation filled with passionate people who care deeply about the impact of their work in Australia and with our wider community. The last few years in particular have been immensely rewarding and I’m proud of all that my team has achieved, of their willingness to challenge the status quo and their ability to build new relationships and collaborations on a basis of shared value. Together we forged new paths with so many stakeholders from patient groups to peak bodies. I’m looking forward to watching Sanofi build on this momentum over years to come.”

Looking ahead, Cassidy emphasised “As our policy makers and leaders work to diversify and modernise our nation’s economy, shore up greater sovereign capability, and make more in Australia, it will be critical that our sector delivers a clear and aligned voice on the stubborn barriers to bolster investment attraction and commercialisation success.

“I’m hoping to hear many voices on these topics over coming months. I’m looking forward to listening intently and working to identify new opportunities for collaboration so that we can harness the opportunity in front of us, and continue to grow Australia’s life science community.”

With her proven track record in leading high-performing teams and her dedication to challenging the status quo, Cassidy is primed to steer AusBiotech toward continued success in advancing the nation’s biotechnology sector.

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