Professor Victoria Cogger has been appointed as the founding Executive Director of the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator (SBA) following an extensive global recruitment process. The SBA is a major $780 million project involving a partnership between the University of Sydney, Sydney Local Health District and the NSW Government. Scheduled to open in 2028, the facility aims to speed up the transition of laboratory research into practical medical treatments.
Professor Cogger is an internationally recognised expert in targeted drug delivery and liver ageing. She moves to the SBA from her position as Director of the ANZAC Research Institute at Concord Hospital. Her career has been marked by a strong focus on commercialisation. She co-founded the spinout company EndoAxiom, which is currently taking nanotechnology-based oral insulin into phase 1 clinical trials.
University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Mark Scott AO said, “Victoria’s extensive skills and experience working at the interface between universities and the health system make her the perfect fit for this role.” He added, “She understands both the opportunities and complexities the SBA partnership brings, and above all she is passionate about the ultimate goal of improving health care for patients.”
The SBA complex is currently being built in the Camperdown area of Tech Central. Once finished, the hub will physically link the University of Sydney with Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. This design is intended to allow scientists, doctors and industry partners to work together in a shared space to solve urgent health problems.
“Taking this role is the realisation of a lifelong ambition to really focus on impact, and to give others the opportunity to do the same,” said Professor Cogger. She further noted, “The SBA is about giving our researchers and clinicians the best support and opportunities to work collaboratively with each other, and with industry, to make that happen. In 10 or 15 years these opportunities will create greater impact through better therapies, precision treatments, different care pathways, knowledge sharing and we will approach health care problems in different ways.”
Professor Cogger will start her new role on 30 March. She will oversee the strategic and operational development of the site as it prepares for its official opening. Deb Willcox AM, Chief Executive of Sydney Local Health District, described her as an “outstanding appointment” and a “beacon for women in medicine.”
