OUR MISSION
To develop targeted cancer therapeutics that provide better outcomes for patients
We’re building an Australian company with an ambitious vision to revolutionise cancer treatment across the globe. With exceptional expertise in drug discovery and pre-clinical development, a pipeline of promising drug candidates, and a team comprised of experienced executives, Aucentra is poised for success.
Our next step is to expand our clinical activities to take our discoveries into Phase II clinical trials.
Meet Professor Shudong Wang
Established by Professor Shudong Wang in 2017, Aucentra Therapeutics develops breakthrough drugs to address unmet medical needs for some of the most difficult-to-treat cancer.
Prof Wang, Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of South Australia, has over 20-years of cancer drug research and development experience and was previously the former Head of Chemistry at Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals Inc; with decades of experience specialising in the development of CDK inhibitors, Prof Wang is recognised as a global pioneer in this field. Aucentra’s deep pipeline of proprietary anti-cancer drugs, developed in collaboration with UniSA, include candidates to treat leukaemia, glioblastoma, cancers of colon, pancreas, ovary, breast, and lung. These novel compounds will transform cancer treatment by providing targeted and efficacious medicines with less side effects.
Aucentra’s expertise spans across the entire pharmaceutical lifecycle, encompassing drug discovery, development, and clinical implementation. This comprehensive approach demonstrates a unique, distinctive and efficient business model.
OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM
Prof Shudong Wang
Founder & Managing Director
- Head of Drug Discovery and Development, University of South Australia
- Inventor of >90 patents
- Former Head of Chemistry and Oncology Drug Discovery, Cyclacel, UK
- Founder of two biotech companies
- Consultant to multiple pharma companies
Maria Maieli
Chief Financial Officer
- Accomplished Executive working with Senior Management & Board to achieve global strategy
- Extensive experience in commercially driven industries having worked 30 years’ in a combination of ASX listed, unlisted and private companies in the sectors of manufacturing, healthcare and services
- Background knowledge in finance, corporate governance, risk and operations management
Dr Theodosia Teo
Director, Clinical Operations
- 5+ years experience in cell and molecular biology research
- In-depth understanding of disease mechanisms at the cellular level
- Analytical & problem-solving acumen
- Clinical trial immersion and data-driven insights
- Regulatory navigation and project management
Charmaine Symons
Chief of Staff
- Experience in executive operations and biotech management, with a focus within the health and biotech industry
- Expertise in business processes, within the private and public sector, with broad skills in project planning and management
- Specialised focus to strategically maximise organisational productivity and efficiency
Dr Jasmine Karanjia
Manager, Clinical Programs
- More than 3 years of experience within the clinical trial industry with a focus on Phase 1 oncology trial
- PhD in pharmacology with expertise in areas of drug discovery and development, cancer cell biology, pharmacokinetics, and murine xenograft models
- Prior R & D industrial experience in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics and bio-analytical method development and validation
- Master of Pharmacy in quality assurance
- Post-graduate diploma in pharmaceutical management
Dr Paul Wabnitz
Clinical Research & Development Director
- Medical Director and experienced Drug Development Consultant in Translational Medicine, Drug Design and Medicinal Chemistry.
- Expertise in toxicology, clinical trial design, planning & execution of a first-in-human clinical study.
- Extensive experience with complex novel drugs and targeted combination therapy.
ADVISORY BOARD
Dr John de Groot MD
Scientific Advisory Board Member
- Chief of the Neuro-Oncology Division at the University of California San Francisco
- Specialised in the treatment of patients with brain tumours
- Served as Director of clinical research in neuro-oncology and interim Chair of the department of neuro-oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Professor Chris Pepper
Scientific Advisory Board Member
- R M Phillips Chair in Experimental Medicine at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, UK
- Extensive research career with a patient focus, with over 100 papers published in high impact factor journals
- Focus on B-cell lymphocytic leukemia
- Author of 9 global patents as co-founder of TeloNostiX
Dr Jose Iglesias
Advisory Board Member
- Independent oncology consultant, Director, APEX Oncology Consulting
- International leader in clinical pharmaceutical development
- >20 years’ experience as a Chief Medical Advisor or Director in the field of oncology
- Led a range of international clinical trials
- Worked for major international companies such as Eli Lily and AMGEN, as well as start-up and mid-tier biotech companies
Mr Jun Liu
Director
- Board Member, Changzhou Qianhong Bio-pharma Co. Ltd
- Senior Biochemical Engineer
- 30 years’ experience in drug R&D and manufacturing
- Expert in industrial transformation of drugs from laboratory to production
Professor Ian Olver AM
Advisory Board Member
- MBBS MD PhhD FRACP FAChPM MRACMA
- Medical oncologist and bio-ethicist
- Chaired 6 national cancer and ethics committees
- Former CEO, Cancer Council Australia
- Former Clinical Director, Royal Adelaide Hospital Cancer Centre
- Established 2 clinical centers
- >300 publications
Dr John de Groot MD
Scientific Advisory Board Member
- Chief of the Neuro-Oncology Division at the University of California San Francisco
- Specialised in the treatment of patients with brain tumours
- Served as Director of clinical research in neuro-oncology and interim Chair of the department of neuro-oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Professor Chris Pepper
Scientific Advisory Board Member
- R M Phillips Chair in Experimental Medicine at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, UK
- Extensive research career with a patient focus, with over 100 papers published in high impact factor journals
- Focus on B-cell lymphocytic leukemia
- Author of 9 global patents as co-founder of TeloNosti
Mr Jun Liu
Director
- Board Member, Changzhou Qianhong Bio-pharma Co. Ltd
- Senior Biochemical Engineer
- 30 years’ experience in drug R&D and manufacturing
- Expert in industrial transformation of drugs from laboratory to production
Dr Jose Iglesias
Advisory Board Member
- Independent oncology consultant, Director, APEX Oncology Consulting
- International leader in clinical pharmaceutical development
- >20 years’ experience as a Chief Medical Advisor or Director in the field of oncology
- Led a range of international clinical trials
- Worked for major international companies such as Eli Lily and AMGEN, as well as start-up and mid-tier biotech companies
Professor Ian Olver AM
Advisory Board Member
- MBBS MD PhhD FRACP FAChPM MRACMA
- Medical oncologist and bio-ethicist
- Chaired 6 national cancer and ethics committees
- Former CEO, Cancer Council Australia
- Former Clinical Director, Royal Adelaide Hospital Cancer Centre
- Established 2 clinical centers
- >300 publications
OUR CONSUMER ADVISORY GROUP
John Clements
Dr Marilyn Mackinder
Dahlia Matkovic
Sarah Tinney
Chris Tretheway
Our Consumer Advisory Group exists to gain input from cancer survivors, as well as others whose lives have been touched by the disease, on our proposed research activities and findings, to ensure that issues important to consumers are identified, prioritised and shared.
Advisory Group members have the opportunity to contribute to our research and be the voice for cancer patients, an important interface between our scientists and the community, ensuring our projects remain focused on research that is impactful and can make a real difference for patients.
© 2023 AUCENTRA
All rights reserved.
Lab image photography by Chris Oaten.