Business Events Perth has recently secured two separate bids to host Australia’s largest life sciences conference, AusBiotech, next year; and the International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases in 2024.
Business Events Perth chief executive Gareth Martin said AusBiotech 2022 is expected to attract over 1,000 researchers, developers, start-ups, investors, innovators, universities, and corporates to Perth. Slated to be held in October 2022, the congress will also bring new commercial opportunities to Western Australia’s thriving biotechnology industry.
“Western Australia’s life science industry is one of the fastest-growing in Australia, with the total economic contribution estimated to be A$29.7 billion (US$23 billion) last year,” Martin said.
Running in conjunction with the conference will be the Australia Biotech Invest & Partnering event, which will provide opportunities for local companies and professional service providers to connect with key stakeholders and investors.
There are currently around 40 biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and more than 50 medtech and digital health companies based in Western Australia, along with 22 research institutions and almost 65 services and support organisations.
Business Events Perth partnered with the Western Australian Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation and the City of Perth to secure the event.
Next up in 2024, the International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases will return to Perth for the first time in over 50 years.
The International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases is one of the leading global conferences on neuromuscular diseases, attracting thousands of delegates from around the world.
The event was first held in Perth in 1971, following the ground-breaking research by Western Australian Emeritus Professor Byron Kakulas AO who showed that degenerated muscle could regenerate in quokkas.
This research eventually led to United States Food and Drug Administration approved treatments developed by the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, with application to other diseases.
Tourism Australia supported the bid to bring this event back to Australia through the Business Events Bid Fund Program.
Tourism Australia’s managing director, Phillipa Harrison, said in a statement: “Securing these types of events, particularly with the long lead time involved, will ensure that Australia remains front of mind among global decision makers and continues to attract high-value business events in the future.”
To secure the conference Business Events Perth worked with the local conference organising committee, which features prominent neurological scientists from the Perron Institute and PCOs Arinex.
