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2026 Perth Biodesign Flagship Program Info Session

​​​Thinking about applying for the Perth Biodesign 2026 Flagship program? Wondering if it’s right for you?

​​​You’ll learn all about the program structure, what’s involved, how past cohorts went, tips for the application process and the time commitment. You’ll also hear from Biodesign alumni about their experience!

Bright Minds, Bold Voices: Reimagining how we fly

Bright Minds, Bold Voices: Reimagining how we fly

Project Sunrise is Qantas’ bold leap into the future of ultra-long-haul travel, backed by evidence-based research by scientists at the Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney.

This bold project has transformed fundamental discoveries about circadian biology into real-life impact – reimagining in-flight lighting, movement, nutrition and sleep to reduce jet lag and improve travellers’ wellbeing with scientifically measurable benefits.

Their research has informed the design of next-generation aircraft, built with futuristic cabin features helping passengers arrive more rested, alert, and ready to go.

In conversation with ABC Canberra’s Lish Fejer, we’ll hear from two leaders of the project:

  • Vanessa Hudson is Qantas Group CEO and Managing Director. She is leading the airline towards Project Sunrise take-off, with the first flights scheduled for 2027.
  • Professor Stephen Simpson AC FAA FRS is leading the team of researchers from Charles Perkins Centre, using real-world passenger data to enhance the in-flight experience and inform the next generation of specially designed ultra-long-range aircraft.

This event is for everyone including students, professionals, academics, policymakers, lifelong learners, and those simply curious about how science is shaping our future.

“Solving the wicked problem of the gap from research to translation”- Dr. Noel Chambers, CEO, National Foundation for Medical Research and Innovation

Learn about NFMRI’s strategy, grants and processes. With a focus on supporting translation across the ‘valley of death’, NFMRI CEO, Dr. Noel Chambers will explain how research applicants can increase their chances of success when applying for NFMRI support.

This is an interactive presentation which explores current philanthropic giving/culture and expectations. It will address early translational research pathways, gaps and how NFMRI’s strategy supports preclinical research to become attractive and competitive when seeking next-step partners that can bring your innovations to communities in need.

DEADLINE: AusBiotech Investor Readiness Panel (IRP) EOIs

AusBiotech is proud to announce the establishment of its new Investor Readiness Panel (IRP).

The IRP will provide stage-appropriate, non-binding guidance on a company’s readiness to engage with investors.

Individuals with experience engaging life sciences companies across stages can apply, including: 

  • Founders or CEOs of life sciences companies
  • Translational, clinical, or scientific experts
  • Commercialisation, licensing, or scale-up professionals
  • Investors (VC, CVC, family office, angel)

Successful applicants will demonstrate:

  • Ability to assess readiness to engage investors (not investment quality)
  • Comfort providing clear, written feedback asynchronously
  • Understanding (and able to help define) stage-appropriate investor engagement
  • Alignment with ’s non-endorsement, discovery-safe principles
  • Capacity to review submissions within agreed timeframes

Your contributions will be invaluable in shaping the direction and future investment progress that support the Australian ecosystem and AusBiotech.

An evening with John Van Der Wielen, FHRI Fund Advisory Council Chair

The WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub is delivering an exciting Spotlight event in February featuring John Van Der Wielen, Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Advisory Council Chair. The FHRI Fund is a major WA Government initiative, backed by sovereign wealth, to fund health and medical research, innovation, and commercialisation.

Join John and our Director Stakeholder Engagement Dr Tracey Wilkinson as they discuss the Fund’s new strategy, new programs (including the Spotlight program focused on rheumatic heart disease), reflections on the first four years of the Fund and what success looks like for the next four years.

Learn more and register here: An evening with John Van Der Wielen, FHRI Fund Advisory Council Chair

Innovative engineering in practice across health and energy

This full-day event showcases how innovative engineering is being applied across diverse sectors, from healthcare and advanced manufacturing to energy infrastructure. 

The morning sessions focus on bioengineering, highlighting the critical role biomedical and clinical engineers play in patient care within Western Australia’s public health system. Through real-world case studies, presenters will demonstrate how advanced design, analysis and rehabilitation technologies are improving clinical outcomes, supporting surgeons and care teams, and enabling patients with complex needs to return meaningfully to the community.

By attending this presentation, attendees will:

  • understand how bioengineering and rehabilitation technologies are applied in clinical environments to improve patient care and outcomes
  • recognise the role of additive manufacturing as a complementary tool in modern manufacturing, enabling new design and production opportunities
  • gain insight into transmission line planning and infrastructure developments required to support increasing renewable energy penetration in Western Australia
  • appreciate how technological advances have transformed anaesthesia practice, highlighting the intersection of engineering, physics and healthcare.

From Vision to Approval: Building the Right Regulatory & Clinical Evidence

Join the Respiradigm team with guest speaker Hugo LeMessurier for a candid & insightful discussion on regulatory & clinical trials strategy.

In this panel, Respiradigm will share what the team is building and why a robust regulatory and clinical trials strategy is non‑negotiable if you want to move fast without costly missteps.

Expect a candid discussion focused on clarity, sequencing, and capital efficiency, so the next steps are the right steps.

 

DEADLINE: LX Health LuminaX 2026 HealthTech Accelerator

LX is a leading Australian accelerator that provides comprehensive support to ten healthtech startups, including the investment, networks, and resources required to build globally successful companies.

LX has accelerated 52 Australian HealthTech startups. We’ve invested in some, helped raise $33M, connected founders with 1,000+ clinicians, executives, founders, and industry leaders, and provided tailored support from leading minds in health, tech, and capital to drive commercial outcomes.

While the LuminaX Accelerator is delivered at Cohort Innovation Space (QLD), interstate applicants are encouraged.

Learn more and apply here: https://lxhealth.com.au/luminax-accelerator/

WA RNA Salon Seminar & Networking Event

Join for the first Seminar & networking event for 2026.

Guest speaker, Dr Selene Fernandez Valverde joins from Sydney.

Dr Fernandez is a genomic scientist and bioinformatician at the UNSW RNA Institute and School of Biotechnology and Biomecular Sciences where she leads the RegRNALab. Her research focuses on non-coding RNAs and their role in the evolution of gene regulatory landscapes within and across eukaryotes, with a strong focus on plants.

The catering has kindly been sponsored by Merck Life Sciences and the travel funding supported by ARC CoE Plants for Space, along with annual funding from the RNA Society and Lexogen.

2026 BioInnovation Festival

The BioInnovation Festival is a five-day celebration of Western Australia’s life sciences and innovation ecosystem, featuring flagship events, regional tours, and partner-led activities.

BioInnovation Festival Conference – 11 March 2026

Connecting innovators, industry, and investors to explore the latest breakthroughs in life sciences. The program features over 50 speakers across keynotes, themed streams, and networking designed to spark collaboration and accelerate commercialisation.

Themes:

• Cross-disciplinary innovation
• Medical & Health
• Agriculture, Aquaculture & Life Sciences
• Commercialisation & Investment Readiness
• Partnerships & Ecosystem Growth

Program Highlights:

Morning keynotes, two focused streams, afternoon sessions, a “meeting of the minds,” and a Networking Sundowner. Optional Networking Dinner in the evening.