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.
OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM & ADVISORY BOARD
Professor Shudong Wang
Founder & Managing Director
- Head of Drug Discovery and Development, University of South Australia
- Inventor of >90 patents
- >150 publications
- Former Head of Chemistry and Oncology Drug Discovery, Cyclacel, UK
- Founder of two biotech companies
- Consultant to multiple pharma companies
Joe Bayer
Chief Executive Officer
- CEO and Board Director with over 30 years experience in a diverse range of healthcare, consumer products and pharmaceutical industries.
- Broad range of senior management roles and director roles held in Australia, UK and Asia
- Experience in listed companies both on the ASX and LSE (London Stock Exchange).
- Strong skillset in strategic and operational management, M&A activity and corporate governance and compliance
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.
Dr Priya Parikh
Business Development Manager
- Doctorate Degree in Medicine, University of Sydney, and MBA candidate at UNSW
- Completed the Oxford Leading Strategic Projects Programme
- Strong scientific and research background
- Experienced in business development and contract development
- Previously held roles in clinical research organisation, global pharma company, and not for profit organisation
Charmaine Symons
Director of Operations
- Extensive management experience, with a focus within the health and biotech industry
- Expertise in supporting boards, CEO’s, Executives and VIPs within the private and public sector, with broad skills in project planning and management
- Specialised focus to strategically maximise organisational productivity and efficiency
Melissa Rolevink
Finance Manager
- Over 18-years experience in commercial financial management and accounting
- Over 20-years experience in accounting, administration, compliance and general management services
- Experience in the private company environment, serving the needs of a number of private company Board of Directors and related committees
Dr Jasmine Karanjia
Clinical Programs Officer
- PhD in pharmacology with expertise in areas of Drug Discovery, Cancer Cell Biology, Pharmacokinetics and Mouse Xenograft Models
- Prior industrial R&D experience in Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) and Bio-analytical Method Development and Validation
Theodosia Teo
Commercial and Clinical Planning Manager
- PhD in cancer biology with > 8-years’ experience in pharmaceutical science
- > 10-years laboratory experience especially experienced in meeting ISO standards
- Strong scientific track records
- Experienced in operating high-throughput genotyping system
Jenny Surim Jung
Legal Affairs Intern
- Concurrent degree in Bachelor of Laws and International Relations at the University of Adelaide
Professor Chris Pepper
Scientific Advisory Board Member
- Chair in Cancer Research 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 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
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
Dr David Fuller
Advisory Board Member
- Senior Vice President, Clinical Development, Syneos Health
- International leader in biopharmaceutical development
- >30 years’ experience in clinical trials and drug evaluation
- Led 5 product approvals
- Worked for major international companies inc. Pfizer, Roche and Genzyme
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.
© 2020 AUCENTRA
Lab and Building image photography by Chris Oaten.