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The Partnerships and Ventures team works across WEHI’s research themes, to identify innovative discoveries with potential to make a positive impact on human health.

Improving human health is at the heart of what we do. In close collaboration with our researchers, we determine how best to translate discoveries, through avenues such as clinical collaborations, partnering with industry or exploring spinout formation, to secure the best outcomes for patients.

We design, negotiate and close deals with our external commercial partners and manage strategic alliances, for greater collaboration across the medical research and development space.

Our vision

Our vision is to maximise the impact and value of WEHI research, people and partnerships. To realise this vision, the ambitious goal of the Partnerships and Ventures team at WEHI is a new innovative drug or technology based on WEHI’s research launched to global markets once every 10 years.

Our mission is to drive research commercialisation and grow entrepreneurial capacity by working collaboratively with scientists to build a rich, diverse portfolio of world-class projects and developing strong relationships with local and international investors and partners, with the ultimate goal of impacting health outcomes to benefit society.

Our expertise

Intellectual property and agreements management

We manage WEHI’s intellectual property portfolio and all agreements relating to commercialisation of WEHI’s research including but not limited to material transfer agreements, license agreements, collaboration agreements, and confidentiality agreements.

Our team includes experienced patent attorneys and legal counsels who provide specialist expertise in these areas.

Education and training

WEHI’s researchers and professional staff are provided with the opportunity to develop skills in technology transfer, business development, commercialisation and entrepreneurship through our long-running Business Development Internship program as well as our newly developed Entrepreneurship program.

External engagement and contributions to local ecosystem

Our team regularly attends and actively participates in industry conferences, including those hosted by AusBiotech, BIO (general as well as therapeutic area- and region-specific) and the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM). We also attend therapeutic area specific scientific conferences, for example in cancer, global health, immunology and inflammation, digital health and platform technologies.

The team also actively contributes to the local ecosystem, including:

  • The Association of Australian Medical Research Institute (AAMRI) and MRI Lawyers Network activities
  • The Melbourne Biomedical Precinct activities, including speaker engagements at University of Melbourne and Monash University events and participation in precinct committees
  • Global Victoria activities

Meet our team

Business Development

Dr Anne-Laure Puaux
Dr Anne-Laure Puaux
Head, Business Development and CEO WEHI Ventures
Dr David Segal
Dr David Segal
  • Oncology/Neurology
Business Development Lead
Dr Leo Lui
Dr Leo Lui
  • Neurological disorders
  • Technologies
Business Development Manager
Dr Victoria Jameson
Dr Victoria Jameson
  • Global health
  • Immunology and Drug discovery
Business Development Lead
Dr Onisha Patel
Dr Onisha Patel
  • Immunology
  • Inflammation
Business Development Manager
Dr Janet Yeo
Dr Janet Yeo
  • Ubiquitin
  • Drug discovery
Business Development Manager
Dr Wasan Forsyth
Dr Wasan Forsyth
  • Global health
Senior Business Development Associate
Dr Seth Jones
Dr Seth Jones
Entrepreneurship Lead
Photo of Michelle Kleynhans with a city background
Michelle Kleynhans
  • Digital Health
Business Development Manager
Natalie Wee
Dr Natalie Wee
Operations Manager
Sheena Segbedzi
Dr Ewa Michalak
  • Oncology
Senior Business Development Associate

WEHI Ventures Pty Ltd

Dr Anne-Laure Puaux
Dr Anne-Laure Puaux
Head, Business Development and CEO WEHI Ventures
Dr Leigh Coultas
Dr Leigh Coultas
Operations and Portfolio Manager
Dr Amanda Woon
Dr Amanda Woon
Venture Scientist
Photo of Nicholas Liau with a city background
Dr Nicholas Liau
Venture Scientist

Legal Counsel (Research & Business Development)

Photo of Chela Niall
Chela Niall
Head, Legal (Research and Business Development)
Peter Hallett
Peter Hallett
Senior Legal Counsel
Jessica Ashton
Jessica Ashton
Senior Legal Counsel
Anna Johnston
Anna Johnston
IP Counsel

Legal Operations (Research & Business Development)

Deanne Burgess
Deanne Burgess
Legal Operations Manager
Ella Swaney
Ella Swaney
Database assistant
Sheena Segbedzi
Sheena Segbedzi
Royalties Adminstrator

Explore business development & ventures

Contact us

To discuss partnering opportunities and collaborations please contact our team.

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Illuminate Spring 2024
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