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PolyActiva successfully completes initial clinical trial with Latanoprost FA SR Ocular Implant delivering glaucoma treatment to patients over a six-month period
05-11-2020
Media AnnouncementsMelbourne, 5 November 2020 – PolyActiva Pty Ltd, a clinical-stage Australian ophthalmology biopharmaceutical company, today announced it has successfully completed its Phase I clinical study for its lead candidate, the Latanoprost FA SR Ocular Implant. The device was well tolerated in all 8 patients with no significant safety findings….
PolyActiva appoints Tracy Valorie, ophthalmic industry expert and former Bausch + Lomb executive, to its Board of Directors
30-10-2020
Media AnnouncementsMelbourne, Australia – 30 October 2020: PolyActiva Pty Ltd, a clinical-stage ophthalmology biopharmaceutical company, today announced the appointment of a highly experienced ophthalmic industry expert, Tracy Valorie, as a new member to the company’s Board of Directors. Ms Valorie is recognized in the industry for her success in…
Tracy Valorie
Non-Executive Director
BSc MBATracy Valorie joined the board of PolyActiva in 2020. She is the owner of TMV Associates LLC a strategic consulting business, has almost 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. Most recently Ms. Valorie served as the Sr. Vice President, General Manager of the US Pharmaceutical and Surgical Businesses at Bausch + Lomb. Prior to joining B+L in 2012, Ms Valorie was Pfizer’s Commercial Lead of Ophthalmology where she had Global responsibility for the Ophthalmology Brands as well as responsibility for commercial development of the mid-stage portfolio and long-range strategic planning. Her 30 year career in the industry has included roles in discovery science, clinical development, early commercial assessment, marketing and strategic planning. Ms. Valorie is a past board member of OWL, Ophthalmic World Leaders, and now sits on their recently formed advisory board. OWL’s vision is to promote and develop diverse leadership to advance Ophthalmic Innovation and Patient Care. She and has previously held board membership seats at The Glaucoma Foundation and the ARVO Foundation for Eye Research. Tracy holds a Masters in Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology from the University of Connecticut at Storrs, CT, USA.
Dr Justine Walter
Head, Product Development and Technical Affairs
Intra-articular Treatment of Osteoarthritis with Diclofenac-Conjugated Polymer Reduces Inflammation and Pain
27-11-2019
Media Publications- Authors:
- Adrian Sulistio, Friederike M. Mansfeld, Felisa Reyes-Ortega, Asha M. D’Souza, Sarah M. Y. Ng, Stephen Birkett, Anton Blencowe, Greg G. Qiao, Christopher B. Little, Cindy C. Shu, Alison M. Bendele, David Valade, Andrew C. Donohue, John F. Quinn, Michael R. Whittaker, Thomas P. Davis, and Russell J. Tait
ACS Appl. Bio Mater (2019), 2, 2822−2832. DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.9b00232. Published: 24 May 2019.
Our Unique Technology
30-10-2019
Media VideosAn update on PolyActiva’s drug delivery platform, showcasing its Latanoprost FA SR Ocular Implant for the treatment of glaucoma.
PolyActiva completes recruitment in key Phase I glaucoma implant safety study. Six-month treatment period demonstrated.
24-07-2019
Media AnnouncementsJuly 23, Chicago – PolyActiva Pty Ltd, a clinical-stage biotechnology company and leader in ocular drug delivery, has completed patient enrolment for its Phase I clinical trial to study safety and tolerability of its biodegradable, slow-release ocular implant for the treatment of glaucoma…
PolyActiva commences its first Phase I clinical trial
31-08-2018
Media AnnouncementsPolyActiva Pty Ltd, a clinical-stage Australian biotechnology company, has recently recruited first patients into its Phase I clinical study designed to show its glaucoma implant is safe and well tolerated…
Research Scientist (Organic/Medicinal Chemist)
Term: Fixed 12 months- Location:
- MIPS, Parkville
- Download description:
- Download
Due to continued growth and success, PolyActiva is seeking an experienced synthetic organic/medicinal chemist to join our team for a fixed 12 month term. This is a laboratory-based position reporting to the Head of Chemistry. Your primary responsibilities will be to deliver agreed pharmaceutical development outcomes through experimental design, method development, conduct of experiments and data analysis. Specifically:
- Design and synthesis of organic compounds on milligram to multi-gram scale for use as precursors, monomers and co-monomers for the preparation of drug-polymer conjugates.
- Use standard techniques, particularly flash chromatography, for the purification of small organic molecules.
- Use and interpret data obtained from NMR, FTIR, HPLC(MS), MS to monitor, characterise and, if necessary, make recommendations for future targets and priorities.
- Produce scientific reports, patents and peer-reviewed journal articles, SOPs, MBRs and other GMP documentation..
- Contribute to the development of novel pharmaceutical products based on the company’s drug polymer conjugates.
- Contribute to the effective functioning of PolyActiva’s research team and help deliver its organisational objectives.
Vanessa Waddell
Head Commercial Operations and Business Development
BSc(Hons) MBAVanessa joined PolyActiva as Head of Commercial Operations and Business Development in 2017 and is responsible for operational business management, financial management, and business development. Vanessa brings to PolyActiva over 15 years experience in the biotechnology industry, predominately in early clinical stage pharmaceutical development and commercialization. Vanessa has experience with pharmaceuticals, biological products, and medical devices. She has executed several in-licensing, out-licensing and collaborative development programs, and managed intellectual property portfolios. Vanessa has held senior management roles in private and publicly listed biotechnology companies across core business competencies including general management, business development, IP management, project management (preclinical and clinical), and finance. Prior engagements include Starpharma Pty Ltd, Prima Biomed Ltd, Velacor Therapeutics, and Pathway Therapeutics.
Precise Control of Drug Loading and Release of an NSAID-polymer Conjugate for Long Term Osteoarthritis Intra-articular Drug Delvery
24-07-2017
Media Publications- Authors:
- Adrian Sulistio, Felisa Reyes-Ortega, Asha M. D’Souza, Sarah M. Y. Ng, David Valade, John F. Quinn, Andrew C. Donohue, Friederike Mansfeld, Anton Blencowe, Greg Qiao, Richard Prankerd, Stephen Quirk, Michael R. Whittaker, Thomas P. Davis, and Russell J. Tait
J. Mater.Chem B (2017), 5, 6221-6226. DOI: 10.1039/C7TB01518F, Published: 24 July 2017.
Dr Peter Kelly
Head of Product Development & Technical Affairs
DPhil PMPPeter joined PolyActiva as Head of Product Development and Technical Affairs in 2017. He has responsibility for management of all CMC activities associated with the development of PolyActiva products. His experience includes process development, analytical chemistry, and GMP Production of small and large molecule drugs for clinical development. Peter has lead the transition of numerous molecules from research in to clinical development. He is a PMP certified project manager and holds a DPhil in Organic Chemistry gained at the University of Oxford. Peter previously help positions at Patheon, GlycoSyn, Industrial Research Ltd and Vastox (now Summit Therapeutics).
Dr David Valade
Head of Polymer Materials
PhDDavid joined PolyActiva as a research scientist in 2014 and was appointed team leader in 2015 and head of polymer materials in 2017. He leads the production and performance evaluation of drug-polymers conjugates. David has more than 10 years’ experience in polymer chemistry, covering diverse areas such as energy, nanomedicine or electronics. After earning a PhD from the University of Montpellier II (France), he took post-doctoral positions at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the University of Queensland (UQ) and worked as a research scientist at Total S.A and CNRS (France).
Dr Janet Preuss
Quality Assurance Manager
BSc PhD MBA(Advanced) GAICDJanet joined PolyActiva as Quality Assurance Manager in 2016 and is responsible for the establishment and running of the Quality Management System in addition to regulatory and clinical activities. She brings to PolyActiva extensive experience in all aspects of the commercialisation of therapeutic products, with over 15 years’ experience in commercialising pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biologics and a range of other biotechnology. During this time, Janet has also successfully founded a number of companies devoted to providing services to the broader biotechnology industry, both in Australia and internationally. In addition to her management roles, Janet has also held a number of Board roles on not-for-profit, government and private organisations. Janet has an undergraduate science degree, PhD in Pharmacology, and an Advanced MBA from the University of Western Australia. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Head office
-
PolyActiva Pty Ltd
Level 2, 369 Royal Parade
Parkville VIC 3000
Australia - Phone
- +61 3 9020 3560
- Fax
- +61 3 9657 0777
Yuuwa Capital LP
VisitYuuwa Capital is a $40M early-stage venture capital firm based in Perth, Western Australia.
Yuuwa invests in outstanding opportunities where Yuuwa can provide both capital and expertise to help founders, management and early investors build great companies. Yuuwa invests in early stage companies principally in the areas of Life Sciences and Information and Communications Technology. Yuuwa Capital’s formation in 2009 was supported by private investors who work with Candor Financial Management and also by the Australian Federal Government’s Innovation Investment Fund program.
Brandon Capital / MRCF
VisitBrandon Capital Partners is a venture capital firm that manages the Medical Research Collaboration Fund (MRCF), which provides seed and venture capital investment to support the development and growth of Australian life science companies. Established in late 2007, the MRCF is a unique collaboration between major Australian superannuation funds, over 50 leading medical research institutes and research hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. The MRCF supports the development and commercialisation of biomedical discoveries originating from these member research organisations, providing both capital and expertise to guide the successful development of new therapies.
The first MRCF fund, MRCF1, of $11 million was raised in 2007, and then in 2008 the $50 million Brandon Biosciences Fund 1 was established. The MRCF2, a $40 million fund supported by the Innovation Investment Fund Scheme, was raised in 2011. In 2015, MRCF3 was established, with $200 million raised to continue to support promising Australian and New Zealand biomedical discoveries. MRCF3 was established with support from the Australian and New Zealand governments, as well as the state governments of Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Australian Capital Territory. The MRCF is Australia’s largest life science investment fund. In 2016, $230 million was raised for MRCF BTF to invest in maturing technologies that have progressed to clinical studies.
Bolder BioPATH, Inc.
VisitMichigan State University
VisitThe University of Melbourne
Department of Chemical Engineering and Department of Microbiology and Immunology
VisitMonash University
MIPS, ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science & Technology, HMSTrust Laboratory, and MMIC
VisitCentre for Eye Research Australia
VisitProfessor Barrie Finnin
Non-Executive Director
BPharm PhD PhCBarrie has been a director since 1999 and is a co-inventor of Acrux’s technology. He is currently an adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Victorian College of Pharmacy, Monash University, Australia. Barrie has more than 15 years’ experience in the management of commercially funded research in an academic setting. He has conducted projects at various phases of drug development and manufacture for major pharmaceutical companies, and has experience in the design and commissioning of GMP manufacturing. He also has experience as an external evaluator of new drug applications for the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Technology
PolyActiva has developed a platform technology that enables the slow release, site-specific drug delivery directly to the site of action.
Endophthalmitis Program
Preventive & Treatment Implants:
Sustained Drug Release & Fully Biodegradable
Dr Francis S. Mah
Francis S. Mah, MD, has practiced ophthalmology since 2000 with an emphasis in laser and cataract surgery.
After undergraduate studies at Cornell University and Dartmouth College, he attended the Medical College of Ohio, graduating at the top of his class. As a resident at the University of Pittsburgh, he earned a fellowship in cornea, external disease and refractive surgery and went on to participate in the clinical research training program. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Mah received numerous awards, such as the Pharmacia and Upjohn Outstanding Resident Award and the American Academy of Ophthalmology Senior Achievement Award.
Upon completion of his training at Pittsburgh, he joined the school’s faculty, serving as director of the Clinical Vision Research Center and the Charles T. Campbell Ophthalmic Microbiology Laboratory, co-director of the Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery Service, and director of the Cornea and Refractive Surgery Fellowship. Dr. Mah also served as medical director of the CORE Eye Bank and as team ophthalmologist for the NFL Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dr. Mah is the author of numerous peer reviewed articles ranging from LASIK surgery to viral diseases of the external eye. He has published numerous abstracts and delivered a wide range of presentations on 6 continents. Dr. Mah serves in several leadership positions, including Chair of the Cornea Clinical Committee, and as a member of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Committee for American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and as Co-Chair of the Cornea Preferred Practice Patterns for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Currently, Dr. Mah is the Director of the Cornea and External Disease Service, and Co-Director of the Refractive Surgery Service at Scripps Clinic Medical Group in La Jolla, California.
Prof Jonathan G Crowston
BSc MBBS PhD FRCOphth FRANZCOJonathan is the Ringland Anderson Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne and Managing Director of the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA). He is a practising glaucoma specialist clinician at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.
He gained his ophthalmology training at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London and was awarded a PhD for work on ocular fibrosis at the Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London (2000). He subsequently completed Glaucoma Fellowships at the University of Sydney and UC San Diego where he then joined the glaucoma faculty, prior to moving to Australia in 2006.
Jonathan serves as a director on a number of boards including the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), ORIA (2008+), World Glaucoma Association , CERA Technologies Pty Ltd (2015+), Et al Research Pty Ltd (2015+), Oculo and Sight for All (2016).
Jonathan’s research is focussed on understanding why ageing predisposes to optic nerve disease and in particular focussing on neuroplasticity and the potential for retinal ganglion cell recovery.
He has published over 160 peer-reviewed manuscripts and co-authored three books. Jonathan has received a number of awards for his research and training. He is the recipient of the 2016 Peter Watson Medal from Cambridge Ophthalmology Society and the inaugural recipient of 2016 ARVO David L Epstein Award recognising outstanding research in Glaucoma and for mentoring young clinical investigators.
Dr Andrew Donohue
Head of Chemistry
BSc(Hons) PhDAndrew joined PolyActiva as the Head of Chemistry in 2010 and leads the production and development of the drug-monomers and polymers. Andrew has 15 years’ experience in organic / medicinal chemistry and extensive experience as a team leader within the drug discovery and biotechnology field. After gaining a BSc(Hons) and Ph.D. from Monash University, he took post-doctoral positions at CSIRO Molecular Science and the Dyson-Perrins Laboratory at the University of Oxford. Andrew has held positions at the Biomolecular Research Institute (BRI), The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), and Cytopia Pty. Ltd. working on inhibition of inflammation and cancer. Dr Donohue is a co-inventor on a patent with a compound in Phase I/II clinical trials for the treatment of myelofibrosis.
Dr Russell Tait
Chief Executive Officer
BPharm PhD MBARussell has been CEO since February 2010, and joined the board of PolyActiva in August 2011. He is a co-inventor of PolyActiva’s technology. He is currently an adjunct Associate Lecturer at Monash University in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Victorian College of Pharmacy, Australia. Russell has more than 20 years’ experience in drug delivery and pharmaceutical product development with leading pharmaceutical companies, including Glaxo Australia, Faulding (now Hospira) and CSIRO. Whilst at CSIRO, he was the recipient of the CSIRO medal for Business Excellence for having lead the team responsible for publishing the CSIRO Total Well Being Diet book. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer of PolyActiva Pty Ltd in February 2010. Russell holds degrees in Pharmacy from the Victorian College of Pharmacy, University of Melbourne and is a registered pharmacist. He also took a post-doc position at Kansas University.
Dr James Williams
Director
BSc(Hons) PhD MBAJames has been a Director of PolyActiva since January 2013. He is a Founder and Investment Director of Yuuwa Capital LP, a venture capital firm based in Western Australia. Prior to establishing Yuuwa Capital, James was Managing Director of two medical device companies, ASX-listed Resonance Health Ltd and Argus Biomedical Pty Ltd, both of which took their products to market under his guidance, and CEO of drug discovery company Dimerix Bioscience Pty Ltd. He also co-founded and is a former CSO and Director of iCeutica, Inc., a clinical stage nano drug reformulation company that was acquired in 2011. James is a Director of Yuuwa investee companies Adalta Pty Ltd and Gordiantec Pty Ltd. He is also a Director of Linear Clinical Research Ltd, a specialist early phase clinical trial unit, a member of the “Panel of Experts” for the University of Western Australia’s Pathfinder Fund and remains a Director of Dimerix Bioscience. He completed his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at the University of Aberdeen, PhD at Melbourne University and MBA at the University of Western Australia.
Dr Chris Nave
Chairman and Non-Executive Director
PhD GAICDChris Nave has been a director since January 2011. He is a founding partner of Brandon Capital Partners and Principal Executive of the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund. Chris has been directly in the management, fundraising, and successful spinouts of various companies in the life sciences industry. He previously was Director of Commercialisation at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia, and prior to this, was Manager of the Biotechnology Team at Melbourne Ventures. Chris has international experience with Leiras Pharmaceuticals in Finland, a wholly owned subsidiary of Schering AG, working for their Business Development group. He successfully moved companies to the US, securing investment from US investors for these companies. Chris is currently a Director of Osprey Medical Inc., Spinifex Pharmaceuticals, Fibrotech Therapeutics, Fluorotrop Pty Ltd and BACE Therapeutics. Chris has a first-class Honours degree in Science and a Ph.D. in Endocrinology and Physiology from the University of Melbourne.
Our Company
PolyActiva's drug-polymer conjugate technology enables site specific drug delivery from medical devices.
Investors
PolyActiva has received funding from private capital investors and been a recipient of a number of grant programs.
Products
The PolyActiva product portfolio is composed of market validated products at different stages of development and with different risk / reward profiles.
The Hydrolysis of Diclofenac Esters: Synthetic Prodrug Building blocks for Biodegradable Drug-Polymer Conjugates
08-09-2015
Media Publications- Authors:
- Feng Wang, Joshua Finnin, Cassandra Tait, Stephen Quirk, Igor Chekhtman, Andrew Donohue, Sarah Ng, Asha D'Souza, Russell Tait, and Richard Prankerd
J Pharm Sci (2016) 105, 773-785 (Research Article – Pharmaceutical, Drug Delivery and Pharmaceutrical Technology). DOI:10.1002/jps.24665, Published:8 September 2015.
PolyActiva raises AUD$9.2M in Series B venture funding
19-02-2013
Media AnnouncementsPolyActiva announced today that it has raised AUD $9.2 Million in a Series B financing round from a consortium of investors including the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF) and Brandon Biosciences Fund 1 (BBF1) (both managed by Brandon Capital), Yuuwa Capital and additional participation from angel investors.
New funding to commercialise medical research in Victoria
21-07-2011
Media AnnouncementsVictorian Minister for Technology Gordon Rich-Phillips today announced new funding of $1.6 million from the Victorian Government to support the operation of the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF) over the next four years. An example of an innovative business benefiting from the MRCF is PolyActiva…
Efficacy of antimicrobial polymer coatings in an animal model of bacterial infection associated with foreign body implants
16-03-2010
Media Publications- Authors:
- Emily Hart, Kristy Azzopardi, Heng Taing, Florian Graichen, Justine Jeffery, Roshan Mayadunne, Malsha Wickramaratna, Mike O’Shea, Brunda Nijagal, Rebecca Watkinson, Stephen O’Leary, Barrie Finnin, Russell Tait, and Roy Robins-Browne
J Antimicrob Chemother (2010) 65 (5): 974-980. DOI:10.1093/jac/dkq057, Published:16 March 2010.