A world leading microbiome team on a mission
Our team has published seminal papers in Nature, Nature Biotechnology and JAMA reporting breakthroughs in the field of microbiome research. We also have a management team with a strong track record in drug discovery and development as well as experience with successful IND enabling applications with the FDA.
The discovery and development of innovative microbiome-based therapies is further bolstered by BiomeBank’s partnership with world-leading biomedical research organisations and hospitals. This includes RMIT University, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, St Vincents Hospital and Central Adelaide Local Health Network.
– Dr Sam Costello
Managing Director & Co-founder
Directors
Dr Costello previously worked as a consultant physician and researcher at leading centres in Australia and for microbiome therapeutics companies in the United Kingdom and Australia.
Read his research papers here.
Dr Rob Bryant is a consultant gastroenterologist and leading expert in clinical trials in inflammatory bowel disease.
Rob has published over 80 research papers with a clinical and research focus on microbiome-based and dietary therapies for inflammatory bowel disease. He is head of IBD service at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and co-founded BiomeBank in 2018.
Read his research papers here.
Investment manager with over 30 years of experience. Held senior portfolio management and business leadership roles in Asia and Australia with Blackrock Asset Management, Ellerston Capital., Goldman Sachs JB Were, and Argo Investments.
He currently, holds several board positions including, Chair of Perks Private Wealth Investment Committee, and Non-Executive Director of Funds SA.
Ms. Briefs is a visionary leader and accomplished executive with a distinguished career spanning over four decades. As a serial CEO and Independent Board Member, she has been at the forefront of driving innovation, improving patient outcomes, and shaping the future of numerous life science companies.
She is a former chair of the board of MDMA (Medical Device & Manufacturing Association), an Ernest & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and a National Judge for life sciences. She is a mentor at the MassLifeScienceCenter, NextGen Program, and a founding board member of Med Exec Women, an esteemed network of exceptional leaders. Ms. Briefs earned a BSB in Business, a BA in Psychology from Emporia State University, and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from Golden Gate University. She was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Business School at Emporia State University in 2022 for her global contributions to innovation and entrepreneurship.
She is a co-founder and CEO of AltrixBio, a late-stage preclinical pharmaceutical company that has developed an oral therapy that can replicate the metabolic success of gastric bypass surgery in a pill. Additionally, she is an angel investor and a Venture Partner at StageNext Ventures.
Founder, Director and manager of a number of successful medical devices and life sciences companies including director of Austofix, StratifEYE, Icsion.
He also serves as Trustee of a Charitable foundation.
Paul is an experienced, innovative, and entrepreneurial Board Director and Chief Executive who has earned a stellar reputation for impact during distinguished career in both the Finance and Not for Profit sector.
Paul has been acknowledged for his contribution to the Banking and Investment Industry by being awarded a Senior Fellowship of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia. Paul has also been recognised for his contribution to industry by being awarded the Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year in South Australia/Northern Territory and has also been awarded the Equity Trustees Australian Not for Profit CEO Award for Innovation. Paul has been acknowledged and awarded as an Honorary Fellow of the University of South Australia.
Paul is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and currently holds positions as a Non-Executive Director BiomeBank Pty Ltd, Director of Military and Emergency Services Health Australia, and a Governor of Pulteney Grammar School.
Paul is Chief Executive Officer of The Hospital Research Foundation Group and of its Australian affiliates: Military and Emergency Services Health Australia; Australian Breast Cancer Research; Kidney, Transplant and Diabetes Research Australia; Australian Prostate Cancer Society Ltd; The Centre for Creative Health; THRF Group – Stroke; THRF Group- Parkinson’s; Parkinson’s ACT Inc, THRF Group Palliative Care, Arthritis Foundation SA, and Australian Heart Research.
Stephanie is an Investment Manager at Artesian and the South Australian Venture Capital Fund. She has extensive experience in commercialisation of deep tech, especially in the health and medical sector. Prior to joining Artesian Stephanie worked as Director of Innovation & Translation at MTPConnect and spent over 5 years at Imperial College London as Director of Industry Partnerships & Commercialisation, Medicine, and later as independent expert consultant.
Stephanie holds an MBA from the University of South Australia, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), a Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) and has graduate qualifications in both Business and Biomedical Science. She previously served as Deputy Chair for Cure4CF Foundation and currently serves on the board of SAVCF and Artesian portfolio company Ferronova.
The Management Team
Jarek Kopias is a CFO and Company Secretary with over 25 years’ experience in finance and governance roles. He has held executive positions at multiple companies managing their ASX IPO process and finance function. Currently Company Secretary of multiple ASX
Corey Whittle is a quality manager with more than 20 years’ experience in GMP pharmaceutical quality systems and manufacturing in both the TGA and FDA environments, including over 10 years in leadership positions.
He has passion for creating and leading high performing teams and continuous improvement of quality systems.
She has led the submission and secured the world’s first regulatory approval of BiomeBank’s donor derived microbiome therapy.
Lisa is a microbiologist with a PhD and more than 10 years in industry and academia. Her academic research was in understanding complex microbial ecology.
Lisa established BiomeBank’s culturing workflow and leads the BB265 (defined therapy for ulcerative colitis) and ConsortiomeTM projects. She contributes to the development of advanced microbiological techniques and methodology.
Garrett is a live biotherapeutic product expert with over 5 years industry specific experience leading live bacterial therapy process development and GMP manufacturing.
He relocated from the US to Australia to join BiomeBank.
Sarah is a PhD scientist with over 5 years experience designing and coordinating clinical trials in North America and Australia.
She has experience with FDA and TGA governed clinical trials and co-ordinating hospital sites on large multicentre studies.
Andrew is a biotherapeutic and medical device product development professional with over 30 years’ experience in industry.
Andrew has played a key role in the development and registration of biotherapeutic products and in-vitro diagnostic devices into the key regulated markets. His role at BiomeBank focuses on development of robust processes for cultured therapy product manufacture, and product realization for investigational use and registration. Andrew has a PhD in biochemistry and immunology.
Kerrilee Fowler is a HR and WHS Manager with over 30 years’ experience in change management, HR strategy, recruitment, Injury management, mentoring, performance management, and professional development.
As a registered nurse and with her HR experience she has a passion for health and people. She has held HR roles at Barossa Fine Foods, Orthopaedics SA and Klein Tools prior to joining BiomeBank.
Lori Wakelin is an administrator with more than 20 years experience in the FMCG industry including global companies Diageo and Red Bull prior to joining BiomeBank in 2020.
Justin Green is a Chartered Accountant with over 15 years of finance experience across a broad range of industries in private and both small-cap and ASX100 listed companies.
Justin has previously performed the role of Company Secretary for an ASX listed company and is passionate about good corporate governance and the role it plays in building successful and sustainable businesses.