Life Sciences Real Estate Summit

4 September, 2025 | Doltone House Hyde Park, Sydney

Investment, development, construction and design strategies for Australia’s life sciences sector

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About the Event

The Life Sciences sector is expanding rapidly in Australia, with the country being an attractive destination for companies looking to invest in research and development (R&D) in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and in other related fields. This is contributing to growing occupier demand and creating a real estate goldrush as developers and investors flock to the opportunity.

With this in mind, Life Sciences Real Estate Summit will bring together (occupiers) medical laboratories, medical research organisations, health manufacturing, pharmaceutical companies, contract research organisations, biotech firms, and genomics with (real estate & capital) investors, developers, sales & leasing specialists, capital markets and Government to discuss investment, development, construction and design strategies to support the growth of Australia’s life sciences sector.

Join us to discover the latest trends, the developments shaping the sector and the challenges that the sector needs to overcome to meet demand and deliver the next generation of science and research real estate.

2022 Speakers

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Summit will start in...

2024 Speakers

Antony Slumbers

Global Workplace Expert (UK),

Stace Fishwick

Executive Director-Commercial Development & Management, Property and Development NSW

Jake Mascarenhas

Senior Program Manager – Global Real Estate Strategy, Design, Development , Atlassian

Domino Risch

Director, Placeology

Letitia Hope

Head of Property Experience, ISPT

Tanya Lanycia

Director – Commercial Development, Property and Development NSW

Oliver Sebastian

Director of Information Technology (CIO), Landcom

Gabrielle Bibby

Head of Commercial Leasing and International Property, NAB

Karen Primmer

National Director, Head of Workplace Transformation and Innovation, Colliers

Graeme Scannell

General Manager, Real Estate and Workplace, MYOB

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THEMES BEING DISCUSSED

The Life Sciences Real Estate Summit will bring together senior leaders to discuss the following topics:

Creating a life sciences manufacturing base – Outlining the government’s commitment to the sector’s development
Investor insights: The outlook for investment in science and technology real estate
Occupiers’ insights: Future-ready labs and the requirements from the built environment needed to help deliver these advances
Examining the critical role of site selection, accessibility, and proximity to research partners and academic institutions to facilitate cluster collaboration
Adaptive Reuse: Repurposing assets to support science
Designing the next generation of science and technology estates

Constructing science: Strategies for shaping lab space that is tenant-centric, including design and specifications
Meeting the demand for science park expansion – Strategies to expand and scale projects to maximize returns and foster long-term success
Placemaking: Getting it right around emerging science and business parks
ESG and what it means for life science developments
Beyond the building: Understanding what makes an asset right for science use
Future-proofing life science spaces and making long-lasting places
Unlocking growth corridors – Opportunities for development and strategies to enhance supply chain delivery of new projects

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Who Attends?

The Life Sciences Real Estate Summit will cover the industry’s major issues as well as design trends, lending conditions, disruptive technology and an update on capital markets. Through panel discussions and peer-to-peer networking opportunities, the attendees will gather expert insights on how these factors will affect the development, operation, investment and design of life sciences real estate.

Occupiers

Medical Labs

Medical Research companies

Pharmaceutical companies

CROs

Biotechs

CMOs

Genomics companies

Job titles:

CEO, COO, Chief Investment Officer

Heads of – Real Estate/Property/Facilities/Labs/Site development/Investment

Real Estate

Developers

Investors

Capital markets

Advisory, sales & leasing

Architecture & Design

Construction & Fit-out

Engineering consultants

Urban Planning

Job titles:

Heads of:

Healthcare/Life Science/Development/Investment/Capital Markets/Asset Management/Construction/Design/Industrial/Social Infrastructure/Precincts/Partner/Real Estate

Who Should Partner?

Our research indicates our attendees want to meet with organisations that can help them invest, plan, design, build and operate life sciences real estate more effectively, in particular:

Advisory, sales & leasing
Investors
Architecture & Design
Construction & Fit-out
Engineering consultants
Urban Planning
Finance/Legal services
Sustainability
Building materials
Lab infrastructure & design

Event Ticket Price

Register Today!

$1095 + gst

1 Day Summit Virtual Ticket

Access to conference streamed sessions
Session recordings and presentation slides
No access to interactive round table and networking sessions

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$1595 + gst

1 Day Summit In-person Ticket

Access to all conference sessions and networking opportunities
Session recordings and presentation slides

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Conference Schedule

Day 1 | Tuesday | 12th September

08:30 - 09:00

Registration

09:00

Chairperson’s opening remarks

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WORKPLACE STRATEGY

09:15

Evolution and Innovation: Alibaba's approach to workplace design and technology for their 230,000 global employees

Felix is responsible for the investment, construction and operation of 7 million square meters of Alibaba’s workspace worldwide. In this case study we hear how Felix is supporting the fast development of Alibaba’s business, where he continuously explores ways to provide a more secure, efficient, and vibrant workspace for over 230,000 employees worldwide. Felix will showcase how the planning, innovation, design and development of the workspace he manages is improving the efficiency of facility management, as well as upgrading security and environmental services with intelligent solutions. Before joining Alibaba in 2014, he served as the vice president of retail operations of Amazon China.

General introduction and key figures about Alibaba’s campuses and workplace worldwide
Our view on what makes a good workplace and why they are important to our 230,000 global employees
Evolution of our workplace in response to the fast growth of the company and the changing preferences of our employees
Intelligent solutions that we’ve developed to reshape our workplace and improve flexibility and efficiency
Future of workplace in Alibaba and how we prepare for it

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09:40

INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Embracing hybrid work: IoT and Smart Building Technology for evidence-based solutions

The rapid shift towards hybrid working models has led to a growing demand for smart solutions that optimise productivity, efficiency, and employee well-being. By showcasing real-world case studies and practical applications, this presentation will delve into the cutting-edge convergence of IoT and smart building technologies that enable hybrid working environments.

Space utilisation: Leveraging IoT data to optimise office layouts and a seamless flexible work experience
Energy efficiency: Utilising smart building technology to minimise energy consumption and reduce costs
Employee well-being: Monitoring and adjusting environmental conditions such as air quality, temperature, and lighting
Collaboration and connectivity: Enhancing team communication and collaboration through connected devices and applications

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10:00

PANEL DISCUSSION: Workplace revolution – leaders are you ready?

Traditional management models simply aren’t fit for purpose for the workforce of tomorrow. The issue of labour shortages isn’t a problem for HR to solve alone; it’s a challenge for the whole business to meet. What are the strategies that will enable businesses to adapt to the future world of work, where employees prioritise flexibility, inclusion and personal development?

How is technology providing solutions to engage workers and increase productivity and wellbeing?
What do employees need to thrive at work and how do we provide this?
Examining the shift around the importance of work in people’s lives and the implications for workforce strategy
Is productivity the right measure for employees anymore and if not, what is?

Panellists:

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Facilitated by:

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10:40

Morning refreshments & networking break

11:20

INTERACTIVE ROUND TABLE SESSIONS

These quickfire moderated 40-minute roundtable sessions enable delegates to break up into small focus groups of 20 to deep dive into topics of specific interest. This will be followed by a quick recap of each table discussion by each of the facilitators.

Roundtable 1: How can you equip your leaders to be successful in a multi-choice workstyle culture?
Led by: John Corbett, Corporate Real Estate Executive, CorbCo

Roundtable 2: Uncover how and where your people work best – using methods derived from the field of Human Geography
Led by: Tica Masuku, Workplace Strategy Director, Spaceful

Roundtable 3: Metrics of happiness: Workplace design considerations and the happiness Ecosystem
Led by: Sarah Matthews, CEO, Little BIG Foundation

Roundtable 4: Hitting pause- how we transition successfully in an ever changing, fast paced environment
Led by: Steve MacDonald, CEO, The Human Link

Roundtable 5: Combining data and a people centric focus to understand work and redefine (physical) workplace
Led by: Peter Andrew, Executive Director – APAC Workplace Centre of Excellence, CBRE

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12:00

Press Pause: Transitioning well into the future of work

Future focused work environments must successfully transition into human based high performance environments. This requires a strategic pause to rethink and reimagine rather than reproduce what has gone before.  Author and Organisational Psychologist Steve Macdonald unpacks the principles for transforming performance environments to embrace the future using examples from organisations he is currently working with.  

The principles of transition and transformation
Unleashing the authentic value of our people
Leading into the future

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12:20

PANEL DISCUSSION: Maximising productivity & flexibility

Over the last two years, businesses have been experimenting. Remote, hybrid, flexible working – the 4-day week. What does the future hold? Can businesses, teams and individuals reach a consensus that maximises employee engagement and business growth? How is the cost-of-living crisis influencing employees’ expectations of remote or office working? Join this discussion as you think through what the future holds for your business.

Asynchronous remote work – are distributed workforces creating us vs them divides within teams and organisations?
How can HR take charge by embracing personalised strategies in the EX-journey for in house and remote workers?
Strategies to imbed psychological safety and the benefits of encouraging open discourse

Panellists:

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Facilitated by:

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13:00

Lunch & networking break

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

14:00

PANEL DISCUSSION: 2024 and beyond - Fostering a collaborative workplace culture based on trust

Productivity paranoia, presenteeism and burnout vs trust and output are on employees minds. How do we ensure that workers feel connected to each other, the work, the mission, and the organisation, even when they don’t show up to the same place 5 days a week?

How are you addressing burnout in your organisation?
Is there a growing trust disconnect between workers and management and how do we resolve this?
What hard work and systems within the workplace are creating undue stress on employees?
How do you stop thinking in terms of productivity and focus on impact and value instead?

Panellists:

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Facilitated by:

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14:40

SPECIAL ADDRESS: Making hybrid work human

While hybrid work is here to stay for millions around the world, it presents real challenges for employees, their managers, and organisations as a whole. Combining technology and culture change offers the opportunity to create a “hybrid-first” mindset, empowering real-time and asynchronous collaboration that keep people connected, no matter where they work from.

To what extent can communications smooth the rough edges of hybrid-working models?
What are the building blocks of a resilient culture in a hybrid setting?
How must leadership adapt to manage this change effectively and avoid being left behind, especially when it comes to innovation?
What lessons can be learned from the past 18 months to create a sustainable working future?

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15:05

MODELS UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT: Total Flexibility Vs. Mandated hybrid Vs. full-time In Office

From strategy to execution. This session will look at different working models and discuss the pros and cons of each one.

Now organisations have seen the effects of their chosen working model what outcomes have they seen?
Is your model working or do you need to consider a different approach or adapt it?
What do you need to support each working model?
What are the legal and Health & Safety implications of each model?

Panellists:

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Facilitated by:

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15:45

Afternoon refreshments & networking break

ATTRACTING & RETAINING TALENT

16:15

CASE STUDY: Gen Z is ready to get to work. But are you ready for Gen Z in the workplace?

Young professionals are entering the workforce – and then leaving again, quickly. As you read this, 30% of Generation Z are looking for a new job. Want to attract and retain the highest quality employees from the new generation? Then understanding their needs and desires is the first step to success.

What are the defining characteristics and priorities of Gen Z that define them from others in the workplace?
How are misaligned expectations about flexibility, money and support leading to dissatisfaction and high exit rates?
The role of EAP’s in retaining Gen Z workers to avoid disruption in the workforce
How do you foster multi-generational needs and collaboration?

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16:35

PANEL DISCUSSION: Building a regenerative workplace to attract, retain & advance your workforce

In the face of current headwinds and calls to cut costs, what priorities need to remain front of mind for organisations to thrive and be on the front foot in modern workforce engagement?

What issues prevent workers from gaining promotion, improving wellbeing and knowledge and does this impact workplace culture?
Balancing the risk of losing key talent against short term cost and portfolio efficiencies
How to create wellbeing strategies that are inclusive, holistic, and personalised
How can you cultivate future-ready mindsets? Frameworks for mentorship

Panellists:

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17:15

Close of day one and networking drinks

Day 2 | Wednesday | 13th September

08:30

Registration

09:00

Chairperson’s opening remarks

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BUILDINGS, SPACE & DESIGN

09:10

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: The Metaverse and the world of work

How can the metaverse be used effectively within organisations?
What opportunities does it bring? A look at teamwork and collaboration in the metaverse
What potential challenges do you need to think about?
Is your organisation ready for this new virtual world? Does it need to be?

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09:40

PANEL DISCUSSION: Building a regenerative workplace to attract, retain & advance your workforce

DEIB is driving workforce strategies and initiatives but how will this translate in buildings, space, and design?

Using biophilic design to create wellbeing
Creating neuro-inclusive spaces to foster inclusion and belonging
Hotelification – incorporating creature comforts and a space for each phase of work to maximise productivity and employee experience
What amenities underpin DEIB?

Panellists:

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Moderator:

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10:20

CASE STUDY: Fostering a relationship driven workplace culture via intentional design and bespoke offerings

Recently winning the Urban Taskforce Award for Commercial Development 2022, Pallas House brings high end residential elements into a commercial & retail space via design elements and bespoke offerings to imbue a warm and inviting atmosphere that attracts employees 5 days a week into the office.

How to achieve a community vibe for tenants and employees via location and fit-out choices
Leveraging experiential elements to underpin a sense of belonging and relationship building
Translating corporate ethics and values via bricks and mortar to attract and retain talent
How do you successfully re-create the design brief across multiple sites?

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10:50

Morning refreshments & networking break

11:30

INTERACTIVE ROUND TABLE SESSIONS

Roundtable 1: Creating a winning workplace: Designing and maintaining productive workspaces based on the behaviours of the workforce
Led by: Erin Faulkner, Head of People & Culture, Greenpeace Asia Pacific

Roundtable 2: Building a regenerative workplace to attract, retain & advance your workforce
Led by: Allan Ryan, Adjunct Professor, UTS, Executive Director, Hargraves Institute

Roundtable 3: Designing environments that engage + drive culture
Led by: Cloudia Ingall, Head of Design & Strategy, Fortis

Roundtable 4: How to build a thriving/FOMO inducing workplace to attract the next
Led by: Zora Artis, CEO, Artis Advisory

Roundtable 5: Tech and best practices powering flexible work
Led by: Philip Woods, Director, Catalyst Strategy

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12:10

CASE STUDY: Merging RE, Tech and Workforce

Work and the way we work needs to change. Now is the opportunity to rethink, re-design and create organisations and ways of working that benefit our families, our communities, our cities, and our environment. Australian Retirement Trust has recently had the opportunity to bring this to life by merging two organisations into one, in a brand-new purpose-built workplace. Join Kim as she shares the process of re-inventing the workplace.

How metrics shaped the design decision
What was important and why did it matter
What is the employee feedback so far and how is it being captured
Bumps in the road

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12:30

Lunch & networking break

TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

13:50

WORKPLACE TECH TALKS: Innovators in workplace & employee experience technology share ways to improve daily work life proficiency.

In this rapid-fire session, we hear from 4 forward thinking Tech companies about how they are creating technologies for the lasting shift toward future ready workplaces.

Worktech 1: Vincent Lau, CEO, Allocate Space

Worktech 2: Adrian Brossard, Head of Partnerships, Yellowbox

Worktech 3: Cameron Douglas, CEO, Videopro

Worktech 4: Mike Erlin, Co-Founder & CEO, AbilityMap

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Facilitated by:

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14:30

FIRESIDE CHAT: Building workforces of the future - to what extent is innovation key to talent attraction, retention, and organisational agility?

Innovation is a word often used in an enterprise context that transcends consumers, brand, digital and ESG. This fireside chat will explore the secrets to innovation, and how it can be used to pivot, grow, and secure talent in turbulent times.

How can innovation be translated and maximised through a talent lens?
What role does senior leadership play in creating a culture of innovation and nurturing talent?
Who are tomorrow’s disruptors and what kind of organisations will they want to work for?

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Interviewed by:

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15:00

HOT PANEL: Technology is constantly evolving; what does the dawning of the metaverse, and generative AI mean for your strategy and the future of work?

This panel discussion will unpack the benefits of applied AI:

How can we combine human and machine intelligence to augment and enhance work?
Removing bias for truly ethical AI
Will tech undermine or enable our future?
How can we overcome the challenges in upskilling and reskilling workforces to ‘democratise’ AI?

Panellists:

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Facilitated by:

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15:40

Close of summit

This panel discussion will unpack the benefits of applied AI:

How can we combine human and machine intelligence to augment and enhance work?
Removing bias for truly ethical AI
Will tech undermine or enable our future?
How can we overcome the challenges in upskilling and reskilling workforces to ‘democratise’ AI?

REwork 2023 by the numbers

2 day in-person and virtual event

SENIORITY LEVEL

C-level

20%

VP & Director

40%

Heads of/Managers

30%

Other

10%

ROLE/RESPONSIBILITY

Workplace Strategy/Experience

40%

People & Culture

20%

Real Estate/Property

20%

Executive Management

10%

Digital Technology

10%

Why Become A Partner?

The Life Sciences Real Estate Summit presents unique annual opportunities across a number of channels, all designed to deliver business development and leadership opportunities.

Thought Leadership Presentations

Establish pre-eminence amongst your peers

Branding And Signage

Multiple opportunities exist before, during and after the event

Roundtable Hosting

Lead a roundtable of industry professionals in this powerful, interactive format

Networking

Impress the world with your team and hospitality

Lead Generation

New business opportunities from a highly targeted audience

Showcase

The exhibition is the place to showcase and build new business connections

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BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

The REwork APAC Summit is a Hybrid event. This format combines the traditional face-to-face conference with virtual elements, allowing both in-person and virtual attendees to access the same content and networking opportunities simultaneously.