Robert Daniels – Director & CEO

Robert joins Elastagen with significant experience gained over the previous 10 years in establishing and managing life sciences companies. Robert has worked across a broad range of the life science industry including contract research, medical devices and therapeutics. He has been successful in raising capital; managing in- and out- licensing programs; joint venture creation; and, managing product development programs through to the clinic. Robert’s experience includes University spin-outs through to listed companies; and, he has worked in the UK, Australia and Hong Kong. Most recently he was VP Asia Pacific for PharmaVentures Ltd, a boutique transaction advisory firm specialising in the life sciences. Prior to that Robert was Chief Commercial Officer at Novathera Ltd (recently merged with MedCell Ltd) where he gained significant domain experience in the regenerative medicine field. Robert has a PhD from University College London and a Masters in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the Swinburne Graduate School of Entrepreneurship.

Prof Tony Weiss – Founder & Consultant Scientist

Professor Tony Weiss is the lead inventor and scientific expert behind the Intellectual Property licensed by Elastagen from the University of Sydney. The Weiss lab is a leading international research team which for over the past 15 years has been focussed on understanding the expression, manipulation and potential applications of human Tropoelastin. The Weiss lab has been able to construct a synthetic gene which for the first time is capable of large scale production of the full-length human Tropoelastin protein. In addition, the Weiss lab has a deep understanding and knowledge of the behaviour and characteristics of Tropoelastin, its interactions with other extracellular matrix molecules and contacts with cell-surface proteins, and the coacervation process it undergoes to produce Elastin. He has been recognised for his contributions to the Elastin research community by his election to Chair of the 2009 Gordon Research Conference. His awards include a Fulbright Fellow, NIH Fogarty International Fellow, and various research prizes and medals. He served on the Australian Biotechnology Advisory Council and is on the Australian Research Council College of Experts. He was given a personal chair as the foundation Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology and holds three affiliate research institute appointments.