Vivopharm

When cell biologist and pharmacologist Dr Ralf Brandt decided to set up his own biotech company, vivoPharm, he chose to do so in South Australia because he liked the lifestyle.

But his decision to locate it in the CBD was because of its proximity to the University of Adelaide and the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science (IMVS) – institutions at the heart of the City’s Florey Precinct for medical science and research.

His company takes compounds singled out for their potential to combat cancer and tests them on different tumour cells for their effectiveness at inhibiting cancer cell growth.

“To be adjacent to these places is absolutely essential to us,” says Dr Brandt, who trained in Germany and has worked for the National Cancer Institute in the US and major European pharmaceutical companies. “Being part of this precinct is a real plus, one of our big advantages.”

Comfortably located in 9th floor offices above North Terrace, enjoying what Dr Brandt describes as “favourable rent and conditions”, there’s not a petri dish in sight. All vivoPharm’s actual research is conducted just down the road at the University of Adelaide and the IMVS.

“It has led to a real partnership between us,”Dr Brandt says. “We provide mutual support. They give us access to their equipment, but it’s good for them, too, because we pay for their services and extend the possibility of academic/industry linkages. We also have a strong partnership with the Centre for Pharmaceutical Research, part of the University of South Australia, which has enabled us to expand the portfolio of services that we provide.”

Dr Brandt says personal contact with the scientists and technicians working at these institutions is very important, and they also provide a potential recruiting ground for staff as vivoPharm expands.

“Three years ago there were just two of us – myself and the co-founder, now executive financial manager,” Dr Brandt says. “Now we have 15 full and part-time employees, with five times more turnover than in year one – and eight times the profit.”

Fast Facts

● Critical to be part of City research precinct
● Biotech cancer research focus
● Collaboration with adjacent businesses vital