BIOFORUM2018.COM - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Lead Scientist, Government of Victoria

Dr Amanda Caples BSc Hons PhD GAICD was appointed to the role in mid-2016. Amanda brings broad experience in technology commercialisation, public policy development and governance of public and private entities. As Deputy Secretary Sector Development and Programs, Amanda was responsible for the development of Future Industries strategic sector growth plans and for support of the Victorian science, innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Amanda joined the Victorian public service in 2002 as the inaugural Director of Biotechnology and was subsequently appointed as the Executive Director Science and Technology to drive the state's science agenda. In these roles, Amanda has led the development of industry sector strategy plans, delivered research-led health initiatives, regulatory and legislative scientific reforms and established international alliances. Amanda has also worked with Commonwealth agencies on national science and innovation policies and programs, notably the Australian Synchrotron and the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Scheme.

Job Titles:

• President & Co - Founder, Bioforum

Amir has over 18 years of work experience in the life science industry. In 1998 Amir and Yehudith founded Bioforum Applied Knowledge Center and later led the company to its development and expansion into a data-focused CRO. Amir holds a LL.B and is a member of the Israeli Bar Association. His extensive experience and knowledge with clinical trials have been the driving force behind Bioforum's vision since the start of the company. Amir is a member of several life science and clinical trial associations and active advocate in helping break down barriers to help further advance these medical industries in Israel.

Job Titles:

• Company Secretary and in - House Counsel
• Managing Partner, CoSec Consulting

Blair has served as company secretary and in-house counsel for a number of private and public companies in China and Australia over the past 20 years. He has an in-depth knowledge of the Australian regulatory landscape and wide-ranging experience in China, including capital raisings, cross-border transactions, and corporate and commercial law. Blair holds a Bachelor of Law from Monash University, a BA (Honours) in Chinese, and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance from Chartered Secretaries Australia. Blair spent many years engaged in investment consulting and legal affairs in China, and is fluent in both written and spoken Mandarin. He is a member of the Governance Institute of Australia.

Job Titles:

• Deputy Executive Chair Melbourne Biomedical Precinct

Experience as a senior executive in the public and private sectors provides private sector results focus in the arcane and opaque public sector world.

Job Titles:

• Chief Business Officer
• Chief Data Officer, Clinical Ink

As Chief Business Officer, Jonathan Andrus is responsible for P&L across all of Clinical Ink's product lines, leads product management, corporate quality, data privacy and is part of the executive management team where he is focused on helping organizations embrace new technologies and approaches to clinical trial data collection and management. With 20+ years of experience, Mr. Andrus brings extensive expertise developing eClinical services that integrate data and technology to help life science companies optimize study execution. Mr. Andrus joined Clinical Ink from BioClinica where he led the eClinical Solutions Group to develop their current service offerings, including data management, quality management, implementation services and IWRS. While at BioClinica, Mr. Andrus built relationships and forged strategic partnerships with sponsors, CROs, regulatory bodies, technology developers and clinical research professionals. Prior to BioClinica, Mr. Andrus worked in pharmaceutical consulting and with CROs focused on quality, data management and validation. An active thought leader, blogger and presenter, Jonathan served as chair of the Society for Clinical Data Management (SCDM) in 2008 and 2014 and currently serves as the society's Treasurer. He is also an active member of DIA (where he serves on the Annual Conference Program Committee), ASQ and CDISC. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Temple University's College of Liberal Arts and Graduate School of Pharmacy and is a Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) and Certified Clinical Data Manager (CCDM®).

Job Titles:

• Director of the R & D Business Unit at Rambam Health Care Campus
• Director R & D Unit, Rambam Medical Center

Ms. Ronya Rubinstein is the Director of the R&D Business Unit at Rambam Health Care Campus. An attorney specializing in intellectual property, she received her LLB Cum Laude (1996) from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and her LLM from the University of Haifa. Managing both the legal and business strategic aspects, Ms. Rubinstein leads IP commercialization, research collaborations, information sharing, conduct of clinical trials, the promotion of an innovation ecosystem within Rambam Health Care Campus and the hospital's business development. is a board member of the also serves on the board of directors of MindUp, a digital health incubator she has been instrumental in Ms. Rubinstein is a board member of the Rambam Health Care Campus, a member of the hospital's patent committee and, in addition, she serves as a board member of the MindUp digital health incubator, she has been insturmental in creating. Ms. Rubinstein has been involved in different community activities including advocating for rights for people with disabilities, speaking on innovation, contributing to the start-up ecosystem of Haifa, and teaching innovation and clinical trials in the University of Haifa and Braude College.

Job Titles:

• Director
• Director, Solutions Consulting EMEA at Medidata

Paul MacDonald is a Director of Solutions Consulting at Medidata Solutions. His pharmaceutical career spans over 25 years within Data Management and Clinical Operations within CROs, in key areas related to implementation, change management and training in new technologies. Paul joined Medidata in 2007, and during his 11-year tenure within Consulting at the company, he has worked with a broad spectrum of sponsors, CROs, emerging biotech and academic organizations helping them to implement innovative technology solutions that impact all stakeholders in the execution of clinical trials. Prior to Medidata, Paul worked at PPD, the leading global contract research organization which provides comprehensive, integrated drug development, laboratory and lifecycle management services. At PPD, Paul's role encompassed coordinating, designing and delivering the European training curriculum. Paul also spent 10 years at IQVIA, The Human Data Science Company and prior to that he was a Clinical Data Manager at Roche Pharmaceuticals.

Job Titles:

• Board Member of TL Biopharmaceuticals, a Board
• SVP, Head of Global Specialty Regulatory Affairs, Teva Pharmaceuticals, USA

Rivka has been with Teva for 25 years during which she has held a number or roles ranging from BD (sourcing of new projects), running pharmacological studies assessing the mechanism of action of Copaxone (a drug for Multiple Sclerosis), Project leadership, managing the North America IR&D function and the Global Clinical Operation, heading the Global Innovative Research and Development (IR&D), focusing mainly on CNS, Autoimmune and Oncology and Heading Global Strategic Marketing, Biologics, Women's health, Immunology and Cell therapy. She was also leading the search for new products and the scientific evaluation of all opportunities. Rivka is a board member of TL Biopharmaceuticals, a Board member of the Philadelphia-Israel chamber of commerce and a member of its Science and Technology Committee and in the scientific Board of the BrainBoost Innovation Center (Segol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University).

Job Titles:

• Director of the Victorian Government Biomedical Trade and Investment Office in Tel Aviv at Israel - Australia Chamber of Commerce

Sky Gross is the inaugural appointment to the Biomedical Victorian Trade and Investment Office in Tel Aviv, where she is tasked by the Victorian Government, in collaboration with the Israel-Australia Chamber of Commerce, with serving as a proactive liaison for researchers, entrepreneurs and other professionals seeking to leverage the growing leadership of both countries in their areas of expertise and interest. Working closely with the direction of the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, the Office promotes mutually beneficial scientific and business relationships in the field of biomedical research and innovation. Sky holds a PhD in medical anthropology, with a strong background in medical ethics and education and research, as well as business degree. She is the recipient of several prestigious academic honours and has a wide publication portfolio in her field, which includes human, social, ethical and historical aspects of health and medicine. More recently she reported directly to Israel's Chief Scientist at the Ministry of Science and Technology and was responsible for policy setting and implementation of research funding and priorities.

Job Titles:

• Sheba Medical Center Technology Transfer Company CEO

From 1999 to 2015, Dr. Luria has been involved in the establishment of more than 40 biomedical startup companies that raised over 260 Million USD in their seed stage.