After a global search, Professor Victoria Cogger has been appointed as founding Executive Director of the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator (SBA), a landmark $780 million partnership between the University of Sydney, Sydney Local Health District and the NSW Government. Opening in 2028, the SBA is set to transform Australia’s biomedical landscape by fast-tracking world-leading research into real-world health care solutions.
An international research leader in ageing liver and targeted drug delivery, with a strong track record in research commercialisation, Professor Cogger joins the SBA from her current role as Director of the ANZAC Research Institute at Concord Hospital, Australia.
Among her most recent achievements, Professor Cogger co-founded spinout EndoAxiom to lead the development of nanomedicines for clinical use. A culmination of 20 years of research by Professor Cogger and colleagues has seen its lead product, nanotechnology-based oral insulin for diabetes treatment, progress to 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.”
“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.”
Chief Executive of Sydney Local Health District, Deb Willcox AM said, “Victoria is an outstanding appointment and the right person to realise the vision of the SBA.”
“She is also a beacon for women in medicine and research and for those young women aspiring for a career in these endeavours.”
Currently under construction, the innovative SBA complex in the Camperdown node of Tech Central will bring together an unparalleled concentration of global biomedical research talent and clinical expertise. Purpose-built to accelerate discovery and translation, the SBA will physically connect the University of Sydney with Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, invigorating an already vibrant ecosystem where researchers, clinicians, consumers and industry partners from across NSW can work side-by-side to identify problems and deliver accelerated breakthroughs.
“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.
“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 also thanked her colleagues and collaborators at the ANZAC Institute and said she is grateful for her time there and the trust people put in her as their leader.
Professor Cogger undertook both her undergraduate and PhD studies with the University of Sydney. She was awarded a Healthy Ageing Postdoctoral Fellowship and travelled to the National Institutes of Health, USA to complete her postdoctoral studies. She is a professor in the University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health and held numerous leadership positions before she was appointed Director of the ANZAC Institute in 2023. These included Co-Director of the District’s Centre for Education and Research on Ageing and Associate Dean (Research Education) in the Faculty of Medicine and Health.
The SBA Executive Director is a joint appointment of the University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District, reporting to the SBA Council. Commencing 30 March, Professor Cogger will provide strategic and executive leadership and operational oversight as the SBA is established ahead of the completion of the state-of-the-art complex in 2028.
The SBA project is a state-level priority and a key initiative under the University’s Sydney in 2032 Strategy. It is co-funded by the NSW Government and University of Sydney, and supported through generous philanthropy.
For more information about the SBA join our mailing list or contact info@sydneybiomedicalaccelerator.org.