Australian Biotech: A 2007 Perspective from Alison Coutts

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Alison Coutts, Executive Director at eG Capital in Sydney, Australia. Alison reviews some of the major changes she has observed in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry in Australia over the last 12 months, reflecting on the progress that many companies have made and the general maturation of the industry as a whole. She discusses the increasing interest which Australia’s biotech sector is receiving from international pharmaceutical companies and comments on the nature of the relationship which these major players are intent on seeking. Alison also provides a look ahead to 2008 and what it might hold for Australia’s many biotech companies. 

About Alison Coutts

Alison has over 25 years’ experience in international engineering project management, strategy consulting and executive search. Since the mid-1990’s, Alison has been involved in the financial markets; in venture capital, stockbroking and investment banking. She is a Non Executive Director of Bio-Link Partners Sydney, a company established to commercialise life sciences research from leading research institutes around Australia. She also chairs the external advisory council for CSIRO’s Health Sector projects. Alison was a member of the advisory panel which worked with the Australian Securities Exchange to draft the latest code of best practice for reporting by biotechnology companies. She also heads the Securities Institute’s Masters Degree course in Biotechnology.

Alison has a degree in Chemical Engineering, a Masters degree in Business Administration and a Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology. She is a co-founder of eG Capital.

About eG Capital

Emerging Growth Capital (eG Capital) is a leading full-service financial advisory and brokerage firm dedicated to providing innovative, professional financial services to emerging growth companies in the life sciences and biotechnology sector. eG Capital recognises Australia’s global comparative advantage in this sector and the significant investment opportunities which will arise over the coming decade.