Bloom Curtin: Spotlight on Biotechnology

Phylogica is a leading peptide drug discovery company that utilises proprietary Phylomer peptide libraries and screening methodologies to identify unique peptide drug candidates for its pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners.

Speakers at the event
Richard Hopkins CEO of Phylogica

Richard is a founder of Phylogica and is currently the CEO. His most recent research is focussed on engineering peptide leads for drug development. He has published over 20 peer reviewed papers and is a co-inventor on over 10 patent applications, several of which have been issued in the US and Europe.

Previously Richard carried out postdoctoral research in yeast genetics at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research (now Telethon Kids Institute), Perth, Western Australia. His research focussed on the development of a novel class of peptides, trademarked by Phylogica as Phylomers^® and the methods to integrate them into various high throughput screening platforms such as yeast- two-hybrid and phage display.

Richard has a BSc (Hons) and completed a PhD in Molecular Parasitiology.

Paul Watt CSO of Phylogica

Paul is a founder and the CSO of Phylogica and is the principal inventor of Phylogica’s drug discovery technologies. He has published more than 48 peer reviewed papers, and has filed more than 22 patent applications many of which are granted in the US and Europe. Specialising in drug discovery biotechnology and experimental genetics, he has attracted over A$5 million in research funding from Australia and the United States to develop the technology underpinning Phylogica.

Previously Paul founded InfaMed Ltd., now owned by Cambridge, UK-based Avita Medical Ltd.   They are commercialising an FDA-approved / CE-marked paediatric drug delivery device that he invented, which is currently being marketed internationally. He was also an Honorary Research Fellow at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research (now Telethon Kids Institute), Perth, Western Australia and was appointed Adjunct Professor at the School of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Western Australia.

Paul carried out postdoctoral research in yeast genetics at Harvard and Oxford Universities, where he discovered and characterised proteins involved in maintaining genome stability. He has a DPhil in Molecular Biology from Oxford University and BSc (Hons) from the University of Western Australia.