George Tachas

Biography

Dr Tachas, received his Ph.D from the University of Melbourne in 1988 and a Diploma of Intellectual Property Law in 1994. Dr Tachas Ph.D studies (1984-88) were in gene transfer, cloning and characterising of genes important in immunology at the Centre for Cancer and Transplantation (now the Austin Research Institute) at the University of Melbourne. Dr Tachas’ three years’ post-doctoral studies (1989-1991) were in the molecular and cellular biology of vascular smooth muscle cells in cardiovascular disease as Head of Molecular Biology at the Cardiovascular Research Unit of the University of Melbourne’s Anatomy Department. It was during this time that he first used antisense oligonucleotides as research tools and developed an interest in antisense as potential therapeutic agents. Dr Tachas made the move to a leading Australian patent attorney firm, Griffith Hack and Co, in late 1991 where he spent 3 years as a biotechnology assistant and from 1995 to 1998 was a biotechnology-patent law consultant inter alia to the patent firm, Callinan Lawrie. Dr Tachas is well versed in biotechnology patent prosecution, opposition, infringement and licensing, portfolio management and the use of patents as a business tool. In 1997 Dr Tachas planned to start up an antisense company. Synergy with interests of the Circadian group of companies in also setting up an antisense company led to his roles as exclusive consultant first to Syngene Ltd and then to ATL (2000-2001). Since the ASX listing of ATL Dr Tachas has directed the company’s efforts in expanding its product pipeline and managing the company’s IP portfolio.

Research Interest

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology