Primary Job Title Board Member Primary Organization 
Commercialisation Australia
Location Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Regions Asia-Pacific (APAC), Australasia Gender Female
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Dr Leanna Read served on the Federal Industry Research & Development (IR&D) Board for six years (1995-2002), during which time she chaired the Board’s Start and Biological Committees, and played an active role in the design and implementation of the Innovation Investment Fund (IIF).
She is the former and founding Managing Director and
CEO of biotechnology company, TGR BioSciences Pty Ltd and is currently a member of BioAngels, an Adelaide-based Angel investor network; a board member of Biosensis Pty Ltd and a member of the University of South Australia Council. She is also a longstanding member of the SA Economic Development Board and the SA Premier’s Science and Industry Council.
Ms Read was a member of the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council for six years. Other Federal Government appointments have included the Future Manufacturing Industry Innovation Council, ARC Council, National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Scheme Committee and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Research Committee.
Dr Read has a strong working knowledge of Federal grant programs both through her roles on the IR&D Board and its committees, and her success in securing several Commercial Ready grants and IIF funding (Nanyang Ventures) for her company, TGR BioSciences.
Dr Read is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has received a number of awards, including the inaugural Biotechnology Industry Service Award by the Australian Biotechnology Association (now AusBiotech); a Centenary Medal for services to the IR&D Board; the 2006 SA Premier’s Award for Science, Technology and Innovation Management Excellence; the 2006 South Australian of the Year in the category of Science and Technology; and the 2011 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Central Region, Technology).
