Meet Julie Phillips

B Pharm, M Sc, Dip Hosp Pharm, MBA, MPS, AICD Julie Phillips

Why did you join the University Council?

I was glad to accept an invitation to join the Council to contribute to the existing impressive and growing strengths of the University of Newcastle in life science research and commercialisation.

What do you look back on most fondly when it comes to your own education?

A totally unexpected happy experience amidst the grind of study was the interaction with fellow students and teachers from different walks of life. Their life experiences and approach to problem-solving reinforced to me the value of having a team.

Biography

Ms Julie Phillips is a pharmacist with a strong background in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, having worked as the CEO and Director of start-up Australian biotechnology companies operating in the life sciences sector. AS CEO of Biodiem Ltd she negotiated the LAIV licence to the World Health Organisation, and commercial licences to the Serum Institute of India and Changchun BCHT Biotechnology Ltd, China; and many Australian and international research agreements including with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Julie is CEO of BioDiem Ltd (a royalty-receiving company) and its subsidiary Opal Biosciences Ltd.  She is the Chair of Industry Innovation and Science Australia's R&D Incentives Committee; until February 2020 was Chair of AusBiotech Ltd, the peak biotechnology industry association in Australia and is currently a non-executive director of the Medtech and Pharma Growth Centre, MTP Connect.