Back to News

29 October 2026

Avance Clinical Co-Hosts Australia and New Zealand Clinical Development Workshop at CHINATRIALS 18 in Shanghai

Avance Clinical Co-Hosts Australia and New Zealand Clinical Development Workshop at CHINATRIALS 18 in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, October 28, 2026

Avance Clinical co-hosted the workshop “Unlock Australia & New Zealand Clinical Development, Accelerate Global Development” (总裁面对面｜解锁澳新临床，加速全球开发) at the CHINATRIALS 18 Global R&D Leaders’ Summit, alongside partners Agilex Biolabs and CMAX Clinical Research / NZCR Group.

For Chinese biotechs pursuing global partnerships and out-licensing, the path to a successful deal starts long before the transaction, with the early clinical development decisions that generate high-quality, internationally relevant data. The workshop explored how Australia and New Zealand can be built into a broader global development strategy.

Avance Clinical CEO Mark Harvill presented “Australia & New Zealand: Your Launchpad for Global Development,” outlining why China’s biotechs are choosing the region for their first-in-human trials. Key advantages include efficient review pathways, no IND requirement to begin first-in-human studies, and Australia’s R&D tax incentive, which provides a refundable tax offset of up to 43.5% for eligible companies.

The session brought together perspectives from across the early-phase value chain:

  • Clinical development: Mark Harvill, Avance Clinical
  • Trial-site execution and the PI’s view: Dr. Christian Schwabe, CMAX / NZCR Group
  • Bioanalytical support: Cameron Smith and Xhin Yin Ngo, Agilex Biolabs
  • The sponsor perspective: Ni Jia, CEO of CicadaBio, and Xin Nie, Head of Strategic Development at HighTide Therapeutics

The workshop closed with a panel discussion and Q&A moderated by Harry Li of CMAX / NZCR Group, covering TGA and ethics readiness, Phase 1 design and execution, and PK/PD and bioanalytical planning.

“Chinese innovators are increasingly using Australia and New Zealand to generate high-quality, globally credible first-in-human data quickly,” said Mark Harvill, CEO of Avance Clinical. “It was a privilege to share our experience and learn from the sponsors who have walked this path.”

Avance Clinical thanks everyone who attended, co-hosts Agilex Biolabs and CMAX / NZCR Group, the sponsor speakers, and the CHINATRIALS organizers. Sponsors planning first-in-human or early-phase studies in Australia or New Zealand can contact the Avance Clinical team.

Related Articles

Avance Clinical to Meet European Biotechs at ESMO 2026 and Appoints Wendy Hamon as Senior Vice President, Oncology Center of Excellence

21 October 2026

Avance Clinical to Meet European Biotechs at ESMO 2026 and Appoints Wendy Hamon as Senior Vice President, Oncology Center of Excellence

Avance Clinical announces the appointment of Wendy Hamon as Senior Vice President, Oncology Center of Excellence.

Read more
Avance Clinical to Showcase its Early Phase Center of Excellence Model at AusBiotech International 2026

16 October 2026

Avance Clinical to Showcase its Early Phase Center of Excellence Model at AusBiotech International 2026

Visit Avance Clinical at Stand #72, AusBiotech International Conference 2026, 21–23 October at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Read more
Avance Clinical Wins ANZCham’s Australia-Taiwan Business Excellence Award in Taiwan

11 September 2026

Avance Clinical Wins ANZCham’s Australia-Taiwan Business Excellence Award in Taiwan

Avance Clinical Taiwan has won the Australia-Taiwan Business Excellence Award at the 2026 Australia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan.

Read more
Avance Clinical Appoints Inaugural Chief Commercial Officer, Reinforcing Global Growth Strategy

24 August 2026

Avance Clinical Appoints Inaugural Chief Commercial Officer, Reinforcing Global Growth Strategy

Avance Clinical today announced the appointment of Tim Schuckman as its first Chief Commercial Officer (CCO).

Read more
Korea University Medicine, Taiwan Alliance of Clinical Trial Centers, and Avance Clinical Convene Regional Collaboration Event in Seoul

29 July 2026

Korea University Medicine, Taiwan Alliance of Clinical Trial Centers, and Avance Clinical Convene Regional Collaboration Event in Seoul

Korea University Medicine, TACTC and Avance Clinical met in Seoul to strengthen Asia-Pacific clinical research and drug development partnerships.

Read more
Avance Clinical and Dongguk University Establish Strategic Partnership to Develop Future Clinical Research Talent

21 July 2026

Avance Clinical and Dongguk University Establish Strategic Partnership to Develop Future Clinical Research Talent

Dongguk University and Avance Clinical sign an MOU to strengthen industry-academia collaboration and develop future pharma and biotech talent.

Read more
Avance Clinical to Showcase Asia and China Growth Strategy at BIO Asia–Taiwan 2026

10 July 2026

Avance Clinical to Showcase Asia and China Growth Strategy at BIO Asia–Taiwan 2026

Global CRO highlights multi-regional trial delivery, early-phase Australia advantages, and expanding support for biotech sponsors across Asia and China.

Read more
Avance Clinical Announces Asia Pacific and Mainland China Expansion Ahead of BIO International Convention 2026

22 June 2026

Avance Clinical Announces Asia Pacific and Mainland China Expansion Ahead of BIO International Convention 2026

Global CRO expands its operational footprint into Singapore and Malaysia, strengthens China presence, and grows India operations - creating a powerhouse in the Asia Pacific region.

Read more
Avance Clinical to Showcase Oncology Leadership at ASCO Annual Meeting 2026

19 May 2026

Avance Clinical to Showcase Oncology Leadership at ASCO Annual Meeting 2026

Avance Clinical will engage with biotech sponsors to discuss strategies for delivering efficient, high-quality oncology trials spanning first-in-human through to later-phase proof of concept global programs.

Read more
Frost & Sullivan’s 2026 Global Company of the Year

12 May 2026

Frost & Sullivan’s 2026 Global Company of the Year

Frost & Sullivan is pleased to announce that Avance Clinical has been awarded the 2026 Global Company of the Year Recognition in the biotechnology contract research organization (CRO) industry for its outstanding achievements in innovation, strategy execution, and customer impact.

Read more
Avance Clinical Appoints Liahna Toy to Lead Global Early Phase Center of Excellence

18 March 2026

Avance Clinical Appoints Liahna Toy to Lead Global Early Phase Center of Excellence

Avance Clinical, a global full-service CRO headquartered in Australia dedicated to servicing biotech, announces the appointment of Liahna Toy as Senior Vice President & Head of Early Phase Center of Excellence, reinforcing the company’s strategic focus on accelerating high-quality early-phase trials for emerging biotech sponsors.

Read more
Avance Clinical Strengthens Global Oncology Offering with Acquisition of U.S-Based LumaBridge

7 January 2026

Avance Clinical Strengthens Global Oncology Offering with Acquisition of U.S-Based LumaBridge

Avance Clinical today announced the acquisition of LumaBridge, a specialized U.S.-based clinical CRO with deep expertise in oncology trials.

Read more