Monash Careers Seminar: Biotech Project Manager Emma Ball BSc (Hons), PhD, MBA 14 Sept 2005

1. Monash Careers Seminar: Biotech Project Manager Emma Ball BSc (Hons), PhD, MBA 14 Sept 2005

2. Agenda • Background on my current company & role • How I got there (reverse order) • Biotech industry • Advice for new players

3. Prima Biomed Ltd • ASX listed company (PRR) • Immunotherapeutics: oncology focus, some infections disease & rheumatoid arthritis • Multiple projects: Phase II clinical trial to early stage research & development • Virtual management company (sub-contract, outsource) • Technologies from Austin Research Institute • Many high profile partners • AstraZeneca • Biomira • Zymogenetics • Xencor • Medarex • Universities: Monash & Melbourne

4. Organisational Overview

5. Prima Biomed LtdManagement Structure

6. Project Manager’s Role(June 2004 – current) • Milestones are met & projects run to budget • Coordinate all parties involved in operations (e.g. scientists, manufacturers, service providers, consultants, contractors) • Development & implementation of product development strategies • Construct R&D plans & budgets • Technical review committees, scientific advisory panel • Liaise with business development to develop and implement new projects • Liaise with IP management to ensure patent protection • Communicate to management, board and external stakeholders

7. Cons Keeping scientists focused on timelines & budget Juggling multiple projects & responsibilities Juggling multiple relationships Managing competing projects Pressures of being listed & reporting Pros Interact with great scientists & science, without having to do it Exposed to multiple projects & responsibilities Making many contacts Exposed many technologies and multiple aspects of product development paths Exposed to commerce & finance. Pros & Cons

8. How did I get there?

9. MBA (2003-05) • Was highly technically specialised • Needed to learn more general skills • Understand a new language • Not feel intimidated in a room full of suits • Meet new people from varied industries

10. Commercial Role at Monash (2001-2004) • 2003-04 Project Manager, Prostate Diagnostics: Monash spin-out company • Interaction with MonComm & Commercial world (AusBiotech, Bio) • Connections & Mentors • Stood out from other scientists by doing something slightly different • Started with an interest in patenting research 2001

11. Academic Role at Monash(2000-04) • Post-doc • Mentored by Gail Risbridger: strong female role model, highly supportive • Needed another challenge: could do the science but needed something else

12. RMH(1999-2000) • Worked with Urologists • Learned about clinical aspects of science • Applied for jobs at Lonely Planet, Australian Australian Volunteers Abroard etc etc – anything to get away from science • Experience was invaluable (hindsight)

13. BAD Took too long Isolating experience At the end, confidence shattered, no direction GOOD Would not have changed anything! Made some great friends Learned how to do good science in a clinical environment Learned independence & persistence PhD (RMH & RCH)(1994-1999)

14. BSc(hons)(1990-1993) • Melbourne Uni • Majored in Genetics • Honours at RCH • No clear career goals or direction

15. Current Role & Future Goals • 34 years old: career just beginning • Happy in current company: many possibilities • Don’t know what’s in store, well positioned to make a move when it is appropriate • Business development then CEO role (?) • May seek experience in another industry, will probably gravitate back to biotech

16. mid – late 1990s • Was interested by science but did not want to be a scientist • Did not know what other career options were available other than bench or lecturing • Australia seemed like a black hole

17. 2005……… • Biotech / pharma industry in Australia is growing • Many more local opportunities, varied roles • The world is becoming smaller, a truly global industry • A way to go yet, opportunity to ride the wave

18. Biotech Industry • Difficult, complex industry • Few successful models • Need to be a jack-of-all-trades and a specialist simultaneously (education & experience) • High level of uncertainty • Pressures of being listed • Probably earn better $ sooner in another industry

19. Biotech Industry • Exciting & dynamic industry • Great people • Industry is crying out for talent • Plenty of opportunities • You are in the right place at the right time!

20. Advice • It is OK not to have a plan, proviso: • Ensure you a good at what you are doing at the time & approach your work with enthusiasm • Be visible in your organisation • Forge links with the outside world, talk about your work. • Be prepared to take risks & extend yourself • Work out what makes you different & build on that • If you are lucky enough to have a plan, work out how you can make small incremental steps to get there • Seek mentors & champions • Remember where you have come from & be prepared to help others, share your networks

21. CONTACT DETAILS: T: 61 3 9854 5700 F: 61 3 9854 5777 www.primabiomed.com.au