Chief Executive Officer

The organisation

Established in 2009, Sementis Ltd is an Australian unlisted public biotechnology company based in Adelaide, dedicated to the research and development of new vaccines to tackle the world’s most challenging diseases. 

Sementis Research & Development is based in the UniSA Bradley Building within the state-of-the-art Adelaide BioMed City Precinct and conducts its R&D activities in partnership with the University of South Australia. 

The entity uses its proprietary Sementis Copenhagen Vector (SCV) platform and associated manufacturing system for the rapid development of effective vaccines to tackle infectious diseases of the highest unmet medical needs, as well as vaccines for pandemic preparedness. 

Sementis’ vaccine technology is also under evaluation for the prevention of allergies, with potential future applications in other conditions such as autoimmune disease and cancer. Currently, their lead vaccine candidates include a combination Zika-Chikungunya vaccine, a ‘second generation’ COVID-19 vaccine and a therapeutic vaccine for peanut allergy. 

The SCV platform system couples a non-replicative viral vector with a genetically engineered commercial manufacturing cell line. The genes of disease antigens can easily be added to the viral vector, allowing for rapid adaptation of the vaccine against a single or multiple diseases and then manufactured on a commercial scale.

The brief

Extensive advanced pre-clinical studies have shown that vaccines using the SCV platform are safe and efficacious after a single vaccination, eliciting potent T and B-cell immunity, and long-lasting protective vaccine immune response. Sementis is now focused on final pre-clinical toxicology and immunogenicity studies in preparation for first-in-human Phase I clinical trials.

Brooker Consulting was invited by the Sementis board to provide a confidential proposal to assist in the search and selection of an outstanding candidate to be CEO. 

The position brief for this role was seeking an experienced, high achiever who had worked in a best-in-class organisation.  A strong stakeholder relationship manager capable of managing a team of exceptional executives and scientists to lead Sementis through clinical trials and international commercialisation.  Success would require forging new and existing strategic partnerships and alliances, continuing to build upon funding sources and embedding a robust values-driven culture.  Qualifications in business or science should be combined with blue chip industry experience, active local and global connections, and exposure to strategic funding and capital transactions.

The process

Brooker Consulting conducted an extensive global executive search and selection process to identify an outstanding candidate. A combination of advertising in the public domain and targeted candidate sourcing elicited a list of potential candidates who had the necessary industry knowledge, along with strong credentials in leadership.  9 candidates were shortlisted, of whom 6 were interviewed.

The outcome

After a rigorous interview and selection process, Sementis appointed Dr Anne Collins to the role. Dr Collins has 30 years of international experience in the medical technology and pharmaceutical industries, as well as proven expertise in manufacturing, capability building and business development. Dr Collins has a unique combination of tertiary qualifications in Biochemical Engineering (MSc and PhD)and business (MBA and GAICD), complemented with deep experience in biomanufacturing and scientific services.