Industry group AusBiotech and Austrade have partnered to help unlock new export pathways for small and medium-sized businesses in Australia’s multi-billion dollar life sciences sector.
The partnership will see AusBiotech appoint a new national ‘TradeStart’ advisor within its team to provide dedicated export advice to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical technology and digital health companies.
Austrade has a network of TradeStart specialists who advise on trade, markets and export challenges, working primarily with small and medium-size exporters, according to Austrade.
AusBiotech is the first life sciences peak body to partner on the program, which chief executive Rebekah Cassidy said would help companies trying to navigate complex global markets.
“This new role will help to unlock growth and global pathways by embedding a new and sophisticated level of strategic support directly into our ecosystem,” she said.
“With the life sciences sector playing an increasingly strategic role in Australia’s economy, it’s an important proof point in how industry and government can work together to match that potential with the right structures of support.”
AusBiotech is seeking applications for the role, with the successful candidate expected to work directly with life sciences companies to connect life sciences companies with Austrade’s global networks and programs.
Austrade chief executive Dr Paul Grimes welcomed the move, saying the partnership “reinforces our commitment to supporting Australian life sciences companies as they scale their businesses globally”.
“By working together with AusBiotech and Australia’s scaleups, we can create even more opportunities for the sector to expand and thrive,” he said in a joint statement.
The new partnership closely follows AusBiotech’s appeal to the government during the federal election campaign to help the sector gain commercialisation readiness.
With Justin Hendry
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