You're invited to join us for a lunchtime panel session on the theme of Innovation and Investment in Australian Healthtech.

Featuring an experienced panel of venture capital and early stage investors and healthtech entrepreneurs, this interactive discussion will explore what it takes to be an ‘investable’ venture - both from an Australian and global perspective. It will also showcase how such investment is used to genuinely accelerate growth.

The panel will feature discussions around: 

• What it takes to be an investable healthtech business venture
• Who is investing in Australian healthtech? How does investment help?
• What are the risks with getting invested in? 

Venue 

• For members and prospective members: Online via Zoom 
• For TiE Melbourne Charter Members: Face to face in the Melbourne CBD (subject to government restrictions)
• Griffith University Students: Griffith Innovation Centre, Nexus Way, Gold Coast

Time 

12:00 - 1:00 pm AEDT 
11:00 am - 12:00 pm AEST 

Cost

Charter Members and Members: Free

Griffith Students: Free

Non-members: $ 20 

Panelists

Dr Amir Zalcenstein - Healthtech Investor 

Amir Zalcenstein is an equity capital markets (ECM) advisor with Lodge Partners and CNJ Ventures' Managing Director. Amir was previously CEO of two pharmaceutical startup companies (SoluBest Ltd, now Formulex, and Amrphical Ltd, now Density Calcium), VP Business Development of a NASDAQ listed company (Biondvax, BVXV:NASDAQ).  After arriving in Australia in 2014, Amir was investment manager at OneVentures for 4 years until the end of 2018.  He has since worked with a number of hedge funds on their healthcare portfolios and is  currently establishing InVivo Capital, a global healthcare fund.

Rolee Kumar and Dr Stuart Gunzburg - Healthtech Entrepreneurs at Virex Pharma

Virex Pharma Ltd is developing GlyXine, a novel nanoemulsion anti-viral formulation that inhibits replication of respiratory viruses including Influenza A A/H3N2, H1N1, H5N1; Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus; Herpes Simplex Virus; SARS-CoV (SARS) and SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) Coronaviruses.  Virex’s current product pipeline is focused on developing anti-viral drugs based on Glycyrrhizin (sourced from liquorice root) which has been administered intravenously since 1977 with no significant adverse effects. Glycyrrhizin has poor solubility and low oral bioavailability however has demonstrated to have broad spectrum anti-viral activity against a range of viruses affecting the respiratory and neurological functions. The first product has been strategically chosen to fast track the development from clinic to market.  The novel formulation will allow administration to the site of infection (the lungs) using inhalers and nebulizers, at a lower dose and can be formulated and manufactured cost effectively.

The Company has secured Etchell Capital as a cornerstone investor and is seeking up to $2M to develop other proprietary anti-viral formulations based on Glycyrrhizin.  Virex Pharma seeking funds to develop novel intranasal formulations for treating  viral infectious agents affecting the brain such as meningitis and encephalitis.  These indications represent a huge unmet need with opportunity to fast track the development from clinic to market.

Rolee Kumar, CEO at Virex Pharma

Rolee Kumar has worked in the health and medical sectors for over 20 years. She co-founded biopharmaceutical Company, Phylogica Ltd taking it from seed funding to listing it on the ASX where it reached a market capital of $100 million.  She has extensive experience of having worked with start-ups and entrepreneurs in the medical technology sector.  She has closed deals with pharmaceutical/biotechnology companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars and has experience in assessing M&A opportunities.  Ms Kumar has extensive experience in organisational strategy, managing intellectual property and research and development commercialisation.  Her roles have included IP management, Industry Engagement Manager, Operations Manager and Director of Business Development. 

Dr Stuart Gunzburg, Chief Scientific Officer at Virex Pharma

Dr Stuart Gunzburg is the Chief Scientific Offier of Virex Pharma. He has an extensive background in medical research having completed his PhD at The University of Western Australia and subsequently holding positions at Cornell University in New York and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.  Dr Gunzburg completed his MBA at The University of Western Australia majoring in finance. He has worked in the capital markets as a health and biotechnology analyst and investment advisor.  He has been involved in several start-up ventures covering a diverse range of applications including anti-cancer drug development, renewable fuel production, waste management system developments and technology applications in the explosives industry. 

 Dr Gunzburg’s work on the nanoemulsion drug delivery technology is the foundation of the Company’s GlyXine© anti-viral drug formulation and he will manage the Fast Track clinical trial  programme.

Dr Peter Kambouris, National Commercialization, CSIRO 

(Australian National Science Agency)

Dr Peter A. Kambouris has over 20 years of experience in accelerating the contribution of hard-tech research focused investments into global innovation solutions for communities, businesses, industries. 

Peter was formally trained as an organic chemist at the University of Queensland and worked as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Strathclyde and University of Melbourne before joining CSIRO as a research scientist within the international collaboration with CibaVision, resulting in the first extended wear contact lens.

His interest in the intersections between science and business saw Peter venture into the biotechnology industry in 2000 and complete a Master of Technology and Innovation Management with Deans Honours at the University of Queensland.

Dr Kambouris re-joined CSIRO in 2006 and, through applying structured business development pathways, created value for CSIRO and its stakeholders across vital economic sectors of mining, manufacturing, data, automation, and health. His efforts in technology transfer are recognized through the awarding of multiple CSIRO Awards and a Eureka Innovation prize, which sparked the creation of new companies and accelerated established entities.  Dr Kambouris was also at the forefront of implementation and building capability in CSIRO for the Lean LaunchPad approach to customer discovery and market validation and software as a Medical Device (SaMD) frameworks.

Peter is also an industry advisor with the University of Queensland School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences and Griffith University Department of Business Strategy and Innovation.

More recently, Peter was the COO of Xing Technologies before commencing his Enterprise Manager – National Commercialisation Programs role at CSIRO.

Peter’s group helps identify commercialization potential and investment.

Natasha Rawlings, Investment Manager, Uniseed

Natasha Rawlings is an Investment Manager for  Uniseed and is a tech entrepreneur who has led, founded and mentored early and mid-stage tech start-ups. Prior to this, Natasha had a successful career in product development and  marketing holding top management positions in Australian and UK companies.

 Natasha’s previous roles include CEO and Founder of StreetHawk, a mobile relationship management platform, and CEO of Heads Over Heels – an organisation that helps women entrepreneurs with scalable businesses grow.

 Natasha’s corporate experience includes Marketing Director of International Masters Publishers (publishing) and Guthy-Renker (cosmetics and fitness), and as a Senior Manager in corporate innovation and new revenue streams at News Corporation in the UK.

 Natasha is also a Non-Executive Director of three start-ups Forcite Motorcycle Helmets,  Cardihab and Wildlife Drones, and holds a Bachelor of Business from the University of Technology, Sydney and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Anoushka Gungadin, CEO of Posture360

Anoushka Gungadin is the CEO of Posture360, a multi award winning company, offering smart technology, digital wearables and SaaS solutions to posture, back and spinal problems.

She has more than 20 years of experience across Australia, Asia, Europe and Africa, as an executive, board director and founder.

Anoushka is a NED on the Boards of the Ed-tech, GetMee, healthtech, Allevi8 and fintech, Anglo African Investments. She heads TiE Women Melbourne, a global mentoring and funding platform for women entrepreneurs.

Anoushka’s previous roles include CEO of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and founding CEO of the Australia India Chamber of Commerce and more than 10 years as heading finance for the French law firm, Gide, in China.

Anoushka is passionate about the role of leaders in the modern workplace, she is an international speaker, researcher and author on this topic.

Anoushka is a trained Economist, holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School and is an Associate Certified Coach of the International Coach Federation.