AusBiotech champions Australia’s momentum in the global life sciences race

AusBiotech has wrapped up a week packed with bilateral and multilateral engagements at the BIO International Convention 2025 in Boston. Riding the momentum of this year’s theme The World Can’t Wait, AusBiotech sent a powerful message: Australia stands at a pivotal crossroads, and the time to unlock the full potential of its life sciences innovation for the health and economic prosperity of the nation is now.

The highlight of the week came as AusBiotech and the UK’s BioIndustry Association (BIA) took a bold step forward, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at aligning policy frameworks and deepening collaboration between two of the world’s most promising biotech hubs. The partnership promises to fast-track the development and commercialisation of innovative medicines, diagnostics, and therapeutics, setting a new standard for international biotech cooperation.

“Australia and the UK are already strong and trusted partners in the life sciences sector,” said AusBiotech CEO Rebekah Cassidy. “Our complementary innovation systems and shared values have enabled deep collaboration across research, commercialisation, and trade. This MOU signals a shared intent to go further – to scale up our partnership and drive mutual growth through innovation.”

Beyond this landmark alliance, AusBiotech took centre stage as Australia’s voice within the International Council of Biotechnology Associations, a global coalition coordinated by BIO. At a time when clinical trials, manufacturing resilience, and supply chain agility have never been more critical, AusBiotech steered conversations toward building a robust, future-ready biotech ecosystem that serves global health imperatives.

“In a changing world, there is a need for robust global co-operation to build a resilient, innovative biopharmaceutical and biotechnology ecosystem that benefits the health of people everywhere,” Cassidy said. “The International Council of Biotechnology Associations plays a critical role in enabling global advocacy on the most important topics across our industry, and AusBiotech is proud to lead Australia’s voice across these discussions.”

AusBiotech’s influence was felt across the convention floor as it actively facilitated discussions with strategic partners across the Asia-Pacific and North America. Engaging with the Japan Bioindustry Association, the Japanese government, and Taiwan BIO, AusBiotech spotlighted Australia’s growing strengths in clinical trials, tropical and infectious diseases, radiopharmaceuticals, and regenerative medicine. Conversations with Canadian and U.S. counterparts delved into workforce development and amplifying the patient voice in product innovation, setting the stage for deeper collaboration ahead.

The week also saw AusBiotech join forces with member companies Moderna and Sanofi, alongside representatives from Austrade, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Global Victoria, and Canadian officials, on site visits to R&D and manufacturing hubs. These tours highlighted the tangible impact of international investments in Australia’s life sciences infrastructure, sending a clear message that the country is a rising star in the global biotech constellation.

Reflecting on the week, Cassidy said, “The urgency for action was loud and clear on the ground at BIO25. Advancing onshore biotech capability at speed is a priority for all our major peer markets. The time is now for Australia to heed the call with similar urgency.”

Team Australia was supported on the ground at BIO25 by the state governments of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Austrade, CSIRO and MTPConnect.

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