Darren Kelly

Biography

Darren is the Company’s CEO and Managing Director bringing over 25 years of management and research expertise in the life sciences and biotech sector. Concurrent to his role with OccuRx, Darren is the Associate Dean (Innovation and Enterprise) at The University of Melbourne, Department of Medicine, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, where his research expertise lies in progressing pre-clinical novel interventions and developing experimental models of cardiovascular disease. He has published over 200 manuscripts in the field of translational research and novel interventions many of which have had a direct impact on human disease. In 2009, Darren was a recipient of the prestigious TJ Neale award for outstanding contribution to nephrology. In 2015 Darren joined the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund as Venture Partner. Darren has proven history in translational research. He was previously Founder, CEO and Director of Fibrotech Therapeutics, a company that developed orally active anti-fibrotic inhibitors to treat underlying pathological fibrosis in kidney and heart failure, which was ultimately acquired by Shire Plc for a record 75 million USD upfront including milestone payments up to 600 million USD. Darren has a PhD in Translational Medicine from the University of Melbourne, and an Executive Diploma Business Administration. He is a current member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, AusBiotech, BioMelbourne Network and a Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology.

Research Interest

  Pharmaceutics & Biopharmaceutics Drug Targeting & Drug Development Pharmaceutical Research Pharmaceutical Materials Pharmaceutical Formulations Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Pharmaceutical Technology Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Pharmaceutical Engineering Drug Delivery Technologies Medical Devices Drug Regulatory Affairs Pharmaceutical Management