Biographical entry
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Bright Sparcs
Biographical entry
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Pucci, Alessandra Alberta (1942 - )AO, FTSE |
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| Biochemist | ||
| Born: 1942 Eritrea | ||
| Alessandra Alberta Pucci was founder and chief executive of Australia’s first biotechnology company Australian Monoclonal Development (AMD). AMD was formed in the 1980’s to develop diagnostic tools and products for the treatment of diseases based on monoclonal antibodies. She later became head of Biodiscovery Ltd, a company that invests in Australian Research, and Director of the Dairy Research and Development Corporation and of Bio-Q Pty Ltd. Pucci was awarded appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1988 for her services to the community, especially in the area of biotechnology, and to industry. |
Career Highlights | ||||||
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After completing a doctorate in pharmaceutical chemistry at Pisa University, Italy, Alessandra Pucci decided to study biomedical sciences at the University of Florence. She obtained her second doctorate there. In 1970 she moved to Australia and soon completed a PhD in immunology at the University of Sydney. This sparked her interest in linking science and business, and lead to the creation of Australian Monoclonal Development (AMD) in 1981. The company, Australia’s first biotechnology company, was founded on private funds and a research and development grant from the Australian Government. Within a few years AMD became very successful so was listed on the Sydney Stock Exchange in 1986. In the same year Pucci founded Monoclonal Australia Ltd. Both AMD and Monoclonal Australia Ltd. Were taken over by ICI Australia in 1989. In 1996 Alessandra Pucci turned her interests to research investment and started Biodiscovery Ltd. A company which invested in Australian Research and was a joint venture between the Garvan institute, John Curtin School of Medicine, and CSIRO Division of Entomology. Biodiscovery was eventually taken over by some of its board members and became a wine producer. Pucci next worked as Director of the Dairy Research and Development Corporation and of Bio-Q Pty Ltd. The Dairy Research and Development Corporation was responsible for funding dairy research and development. Chronology
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Published by The University of Melbourne eScholarship Research Centre on ASAPWeb, 1994 - 2007 Originally published 1994-1999 by Australian Science Archives Project, 1999-2006 by the Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre Disclaimer, Copyright and Privacy Policy Submit any comments, questions, corrections and additions Prepared by: Acknowledgements Updated: 26 February 2007 http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/biogs/P004442b.htm |