UQ leads the state at the Life Sciences Queensland Awards

The University of Queensland researchers and start-ups have won 4 out of 6 awards at the prestigious Life Sciences Queensland (LSQ) GENE Awards. 

Vaxxas won Company of the Year for its development of the innovative High-Density Microarray Patch, a needle-free vaccine delivery platform. The technology has the potential to transform vaccine delivery globally and strengthen Queensland’s position as a leader in biotechnology.  

Another UniQuest start-up ViceBio received the LSQ Radium Capital Emerging Innovator Award, in recognition of their work to develop new vaccines for life-threatening respiratory viral infectious diseases using UQ’s Molecular Clamp platform.  

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said the result highlights the significant impact of the commercially relevant research being undertaken at the University.

“The success of these start-ups, build on UQ innovation, is a great demonstration of research and innovation, from discovery through to translation, to solve key health challenges,” she said.

“Bringing these technologies and products to market also helps to drive Queensland’s reputation as innovation and entrepreneurship hub.”

Associate Professor Mark Smythe was awarded the LSQ McCullough Robertson Industry Excellence Award in recognition of his significant contribution to the Queensland life sciences industry over his 30-year career. 

Dr Smythe was involved in the discovery and translation of the anti-flu drug Relenza. In 2022, he became the CEO of Infensa Bioscience, a start-up company leading the development of first-in-class pharmaceuticals to treat cardiovascular disease. 

Dr Sonia Shah was awarded the Rose-Anne Kelso Commemorative Award for her research focused on improving cardiovascular health in under-represented communities including women and people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.  

Dr Shah is the fourth UQ Institute for Molecular Bioscience researcher in a row to win the Rose-Anne Kelso Award. 

Other UQ finalists in the 2023 LSQ awards included IMB, Professor Jennifer Stow and Infensa Bioscience. 

Media: UQ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au; +61 429 056 139