Dr Chris Nave
PhD Grad Dip IP Law

Dr Nave is a founding partner of Brandon Capital Partners, and the Principal Executive of the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund. Chris was previously Director of Commercialization at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, where he was responsible for the commercialization of technologies developed at the Baker and the Alfred Hospital, including the management of local and international spinout companies.  Past directorships have seen Chris involved directly in the management, fundraising, and successful spinout of various companies in the life sciences industry. He is currently a Director of Spinifex Pharmaceuticals, Fibrotech Therapeutics, Osprey Medical Inc. 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 and he has completed the Private Equity and Venture Capital Program at Harvard Business School, Boston, MA.

Dr Darren Kelly, Chief Executive Officer
BMedLSc, MSc, PhD, FASN

Dr Kelly, a Professor at the University of Melbourne, is the founder of Fibrotech Therapeutics and is a recognized expert in the pre-clinical development of novel interventions for renal and cardiac fibrosis, consulting to several pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Dr Kelly has published over 150 manuscripts in his field of research, and in 2009 was awarded the prestigious TJ Neale award by the ANZSN for outstanding research in the field of nephrology. He is a current member of BioMelbourne Network, AusBiotech and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr John Kurek
BSc Hons, PhD Grad Dip Pharm Sc

Dr Kurek is the Investment Manager of Uniseed in Melbourne, and brings 10 years industry experience as a Biotechnology Manager with a focus on the strategic design and implementation of drug development programs. John’s previous roles have included Pharmaceutical Development Manager at BioDiem Ltd, where he was responsible for managing the preclinical, clinical and regulatory aspects of BioDiem’s drug development programs, and Preclinical Development Manager at Amrad Corporation Ltd where he was responsible for the management of preclinical drug development projects. His experience extends from drug discovery, to the phase I-II clinical phases of drug development. John has a PhD in Neuroscience and a Post Graduate Diploma in Drug Evaluation and Pharmaceutical Science, both from the University of Melbourne and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.