HaemaLogiX appoints former Health Minister Greg Hunt as Non-Executive Director

HaemaLogiX Ltd, an innovative clinical-stage biotech firm focused on developing novel immunotherapies for blood cancers and B-cell diseases, recently announced the appointment of Professor the Hon Greg Hunt to its board as a Non-Executive Director. Prof Hunt, who previously served as Australia’s Federal Minister for Health, brings a wealth of experience to HaemaLogiX, marking his first corporate directorship since leaving his ministerial role.

Prof Hunt served as the Federal Minister for Health from 2017 until 2022, a period during which he led Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, established telehealth as a permanent feature of Medicare, and made significant reforms in private health, mental health, aged care, medical research, and primary care. He was also responsible for the listing of over 2,000 medicines for public access.

Before his tenure as Health Minister, Prof Hunt held significant roles in the Australian government, including Minister for Industry, Innovation & Science, where he laid the groundwork for the Australian Space Agency, and Minister for the Environment, where he established key environmental initiatives such as the Emissions Reduction Fund and the Reef Trust. His distinguished service in the environmental sector earned him the title of Best Minister in the World at the World Government Summit in 2016.

Beyond his political career, Prof Hunt holds academic positions at prestigious institutions including the University of Melbourne and University College, London. He is also the Chair of the CARDIO4Cities Accelerator Steering Committee under the Novartis Foundation and the Chair of the Turner Institute for Mental Health at Monash University.

Upon his decision to join HaemaLogiX, Prof Hunt expressed his enthusiasm for the company's innovative approach to addressing unmet treatment needs in blood cancers. He highlighted the potential for immunotherapy and other emerging therapies to offer safer and more effective treatments for conditions like multiple myeloma.

HaemaLogiX, established in 2014, has been pioneering immune-based treatments for blood cancers, specifically targeting multiple myeloma and B-cell diseases. The company has identified unique therapeutic targets and developed antibody-based treatment strategies. One of their major focuses is on antibody therapies targeting kappa myeloma antigen (KMA) and lambda myeloma antigen (LMA), which are present on cancer cells but not on normal cells in patients with multiple myeloma and AL amyloidosis.

The KappaMab program, led by Professor Andrew Spencer from Alfred Health, has shown promising results with an 83% overall response rate in a Phase 2b study for multiple myeloma patients. The study also reported a 46% reduction in the risk of death without increased adverse effects compared to a matched case control group. Additionally, HaemaLogiX is collaborating with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre on a CAR-T development program, aiming to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial for relapsed/refractory myeloma patients.

HaemaLogiX CEO, Damian Clarke-Bruce, noted the strong synergy between Prof Hunt's vision and the company's mission. He emphasized that Prof Hunt’s addition to the board will further enhance HaemaLogiX's efforts to bring new treatments to market and expand internationally, particularly into the US.

Non-Executive Chairman Dr. John Cullity echoed these sentiments, highlighting Prof Hunt's strategic value to the company as it seeks to amplify its presence within the Australian life science sector and expand its reach globally.

In summary, HaemaLogiX’s appointment of Professor Greg Hunt as a Non-Executive Director is a strategic move that aligns with the company's mission to develop pioneering immunotherapies and advance treatment options for patients with blood cancers and B-cell diseases. Prof Hunt's extensive experience and vision are expected to significantly contribute to HaemaLogiX’s ongoing and future initiatives.