genomiQa announces new CEO

genomiQa, one of Australia’s leading genomic analytics companies, today announced that Colin Albert has been appointed as the company’s new CEO.

Mr Albert has more than 20 years’ commercial experience in start-ups and large pharmaceutical companies both in Australia and globally.

Most recently, he held the roles of Commercial Head of the Asia Pacific region for Roche Pharmaceuticals and Regional General Manager of the Asia Pacific region for Roche Foundation Medicine based in Singapore. Prior to that, he was the Vice President, Business Effectiveness and Strategy with Shanghai Roche Pharmaceuticals Ltd based in Shanghai.

Mr Albert completed a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Economics and Politics, at the University of Queensland before pursuing other post-graduate study and business qualifications. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

genomiQa’s strength is the analysis of the whole genome, particularly the use of bioinformatics, to provide guidance for clinicians on decisions about treatment.

“Based on the high-quality genomic pipeline developed by genomiQa’s founders, Dr Nic Waddell and John Pearson, the company is poised to become a world leader in whole-genome analytics, and further, establish a role for whole genome analysis in routine clinical practice,” Mr Albert said

“I am delighted to join a world-recognised team that is dedicated to commercialising research that will make a difference to patients’ lives, and to support Australia’s biopharmaceutical industry in developing breakthrough, innovative products to treat cancer and other diseases.”

The Chairman of the genomiQa board and Director and CEO of QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Professor Frank Gannon, said Mr Albert brought a rich and diverse set of skills, knowledge and business experience to the role.

“I am delighted to welcome Colin Albert as we enter a new and ambitious phase of the company,” Professor Gannon said.

“Under his leadership, genomiQa will reach its goal of becoming a global leader in whole-genome data analysis, both in Australia and abroad.

“genomiQa has ambitious plans to expand into China in the next 12 months and to launch genomiQa:CapeXL^TM – which will provide whole genome analysis for cancer patients – and genomiQa:NGSCheck^TM – a quality check for the output from next generation sequencing machines – onto the global market.

“Mr Albert brings a great combination of skills, experience and business acumen, which will ensure that these goals are reached.”

About genomiQa:

genomiQa is a start-up company originating from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute’s SEEDBox® initiative, which prepares promising research for commercialisation. genomiQa will offer hospitals, clinicians and companies high-quality analysis of data from whole genome sequencing.