Specialised Therapeutics Celebrates 10 Years and Unveils Expansion Plan

Melbourne, Australia 27 August 2018: Privately-held pharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Australia will today mark its 10th anniversary, unveiling new Australian headquarters and a business plan to drive healthcare innovation over the next decade.

The company, which was founded  ten years ago by pharmaceutical expats Carlo Montagner and Bozena Zembrzuski with a single chemotherapy product, has emerged as the largest privately-owned Australian specialty pharma company in the region, employing close to 50 employees, generating revenues of ~$30 million and with an expansive specialty drug portfolio spanning oncology, haematology, ophthalmology, supportive care and neurology.

Officially opening new Australian headquarters in Melbourne today, Chief Executive Officer Carlo Montagner attributed the company’s success to a strategy of in-licensing mid-to late stage products for full commercialisation, but said the next 10-year plan included in-licensing earlier-stage drugs, steering them through full clinical development and globally commercialising these products. “This may require us to list a subsidiary company either on the ASX or on Singapore’s SGX to co-fund compound development,” he said.

“Our vision for the first 10 years was to build a profitable pharmaceutical company partnering with leading global biotech and pharmaceutical companies.   While we continue to invest aggressively to further expand our global partnerships and product pipeline into new therapeutic areas, it is now time to build on these solid foundations and execute the next stage of our company’s development.”

Federal Treasurer, Deputy Liberal Party leader and Member for Kooyong Josh Frydenberg MP will officially unveil the company’s new headquarters, noting STA’s role in cementing Victoria as a major pharmaceutical and biotech hub.

“This company is an Australian start-up success story,” he said.  “We know that as many as 90 per cent of start-ups fail to flourish after five years. STA is a stand-out in the pharmaceutical sector and continues to grow, providing employment and generating strong revenues.”

Member for Kew and Shadow Education Minister Tim Smith MP commented:

“I am delighted that Specialised Therapeutics has chosen to set up their new headquarters in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, specifically in my electorate of Kew. Small to medium enterprises are vitally important for our local economy and community.””

Mr Montagner said: “Bozena and I are extremely proud of what we have achieved in the past decade, which has laid the foundations for our ultimate vision: to build a global pharmaceutical company delivering specialist medicines to patients where there is an unmet clinical need.”

Ends.

Media Inquiries:
Emma Power
STA Communications Manager
Phone: +61 419 149 525

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About Specialised Therapeutics Australia

Specialised Therapeutics Australia is an independent, international pharmaceutical company providing new specialist medicines to patients in Australia, New Zealand and across South-East Asia. Dually headquartered in Melbourne, Australia and Singapore, STA and its affiliate company Specialised Therapeutics Asia Pte Ltd collaborates with leading global pharmaceutical, biotech and diagnostic companies to bring innovative specialist therapies and technologies to patients in its key regions.It’s current portfolio includes products in oncology, haematology, supportive care, neurology and ophthalmology, but it is not confined to these therapeutic areas.