BMS5007 - Biotechnology: Commercialising biomedical science - 2017

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Biomedical Sciences

Coordinator(s)

Dr Melanie Pritchard

Unit guides

Offered

Clayton

  • First semester 2017 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit will examine case studies of medical biotechnology research and development, and will consider the industry context in which biotechnology is commercialised including: industry structure and competition; methods of financing, management approaches; the regulatory environment; product development and its commercial protection via intellectual property; and taking the product to market.

Students will examine case studies to analyse and evaluate the chances of commercialisation success of Australian companies in various phases of development, and present and justify their opinions in the form of class discussions, oral presentations and written business reports.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to;

  1. Interpret and critically evaluate the pathways from discovery science that lead to innovation and commercialisation of biotechnology innovations;
  2. Analyse and evaluate the critical role of intellectual property in the commercialisation of biotechnology;
  3. Apply advanced knowledge of how the major regulatory bodies [e.g. TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration); FDA (Food & Drug Administration); CTN (Clinical Trial Notification Scheme)] deal with specific innovations in the biotech / medtech sectors;
  4. Evaluate and critically assess and predict the potential for commercial development and success of a specific biotechnology innovation;
  5. Systematically build and validate arguments and opinions by sourcing and critically deconstructing relevant material and information, working both independently and as part of a team;
  6. Effectively communicate complex concepts on scientific content and business processes in written or oral formats.

Assessment

  • 2 x Reports (750 words) (10% each)
  • 2 x Online Quiz (5% each)
  • 2 x Short Answer Questionnaires (5% each)
  • 2 x Oral presentations (15 mins - Group, 5 mins Individual) (15%)
  • Performance in workshop discussions and in the informal presentation (5%)
  • Final Business report (3,000 words) (40%) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

On-campus: 4-5 hours of contact per week, which will include a mix of presentations from industry experts and workshop activities.

Off campus: a minimum of 7-8 hours of private study, including preparation of work for discussion and assessment.

See also Unit timetable information

Chief examiner(s)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study