As we head into the final month of the year, we would like to express our gratitude to everyone who has supported the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator project in 2023.

We have made significant progress in designing 36,000m2 of new state-of-the-art research infrastructure. We have also begun developing the industry engagement and operating models that will bring the vision of a precinct that integrates fundamental research with clinical and patient-centred research to life.

There have been over 250 staff and affiliates of Sydney Local Health District and the University of Sydney across 23 working groups, 12 technical review groups, and 9 project user groups that have collaborated on this work, and we are so excited about the possibilities.

This is just the beginning of our journey, but we are excited to see how much external interest the SBA has attracted already.

We are nearing final building designs and have submitted the State Significant Development Application. The demolition of the Bosch buildings and other enabling works will be finalised shortly, with the aim of breaking ground in the second half of next year.

We have been fortunate to receive further funding enhancements by the NSW Government for the SBA and the $940 million Royal Prince Alfred Hospital redevelopment. Together, these initiatives will transform the capabilities in Camperdown and see further recognition nationally and internationally for the Sydney Innovation Precinct for Health, Education, and Research.

We would like to wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and safe festive season and New Year. We are immensely grateful for your support of the SBA, and we look forward to bringing you more updates and news on the many exciting milestones and events coming up next year.

Dr Teresa Anderson, Professor Emma Johnston, Vincent McTaggart, Professor Robyn Ward, Dianne Leeson
SBA Executive Steering Committee

Interest in the SBA continues to gain momentum. We have hosted delegations and walking tours from Committee for Sydney, Pfizer, Seoul BioHub, Singapore, New Zealand, Minnesota MedTech 3.0 (the recently designated US Tech Hub for medical technology), and the European Union Ambassador to Australia and Vice-President of the European Commission. Earlier this month, we also presented at the National Health and Innovation Precinct Summit.

(Left to right) Seoul Biohub delegation, European Union delegation, National Health and Innovation Precinct Summit tour.

Professor Richard Scolyer AO and Professor Georgina Long AO have been jointly named the 2024 NSW Australians of the year. 

Richard and Georgina, co-medical directors of Melanoma Institute Australia, are members of the Sydney Research Council and Richard is a senior staff specialist with the Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology Department at RPA Hospital.

This award is wonderful recognition for Richard and Georgina whose world-leading research into advanced melanoma and advocacy for sun-safe behaviour and cancer prevention has saved thousands of lives.

Their immunotherapy approach, which activates a patient’s own immune system, has significantly increased melanoma survival rates.

After Richard was diagnosed with grade 4 brain cancer in June, he and Georgina adapted their breakthrough melanoma research to develop a series of world-first treatments to apply to Richard’s brain cancer. 

‘It has brought together our team and connected us with the Camperdown community.'

- Dr Melina Georgousakis, founder of Franklin Women

The SBA Innovation Hub, on Level 7 of Gloucester House, RPA, has been a hive of activity – bringing together clinicians, academics, researchers, advocacy, and industry groups in support of research development, innovation, and commercialisation.  

We would like to welcome Franklin Women as one of our first Hub tenants.

Franklin Women is Australia’s only professional community dedicated to supporting the careers of women working across the health and medical research ecosystem.

Dr Melina Georgousakis, Founder of Franklin Women, said the space has been transformative. It is the first office space for Franklin Women.

We are accepting applications and booking requests from staff, students, and industry partners for the SBA Innovation Hub, with 22 hot desks, a meeting room, and an extraordinary outdoor venue all available for bookings.  

For more information, please contact SLHD-SBAInnovationHub@health.nsw.gov.au.

An op-ed piece was published in a recent edition of The Daily Telegraph penned by the University of Sydney’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark Scott AO, on the inefficient and aging public transport system servicing the Camperdown area. Professor Scott implored for a Camperdown metro station which would service ‘a thriving area that represents more than 70,000 jobs and generates at least $13.3bn in annual economic output, an area where there already is more than $2bn of invested capital’.

‘We need to make sure that the people responsible for bringing our futuristic medical gateway to life are not relying on a 19th century transport infrastructure to get there.'

- Professor Mark Scott AO

A public transport infrastructure update would not only serve the needs of the 600,000 annual visitors to the area but also of a fast-growing community, especially in anticipation of the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator, a major component of the Tech Central precinct.

In a partnership between Sydney Local Health District, University of Sydney, and Cicada Innovations, we have been running a series of masterclasses on the foundational tools for commercialisation, idea generation, intellectual property, and more.

All classes are delivered in-person at the Susan Wakil Health Building and are free for staff and students from Sydney Local Health District and the University of Sydney.

The series will continue to June 2024 with new topics delivered each month. Click here to view and register for classes.

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The SBA is a partnership between the University of Sydney, Sydney Local Health District, and NSW Government to fast-track innovative research into better health outcomes.

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