Scientist, patent attorney and biotech entrepreneur Dr Justin Coombs has been promoted to CEO of AusHealth

D Justin Coombs has been promoted to CEO of AusHealth.
His appointment comes in the wake of outstanding growth enjoyed by the Adelaide-based charity during the past ten years.
Justin has been AusHealth’s Chief Operating Officer since April 2024 and leads AusHealth Ventures, the division responsible for medical research funding and spinning out new health tech companies.
Mr Greg Johansen, who stepped down as CEO, will remain as Managing Director. He will be fostering new national relationships with AusHealth and developing new companies and opportunities in the innovation hub.
According to Justin, “I’m delighted and honoured that the board has seen fit to entrust me with the running of AusHealth – an organisation that has been supporting Australian medical research since 1985.”
Justin’s background as a scientist, patent attorney and entrepreneur has seen him emerge as a significant agent for change, not only within AusHealth but also in the field of biotech.
“Whether it’s through developing novel cancer therapies or harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence, we’re all about making the nation healthier and wealthier.
“AusHealth has been Greg’s vision for over 30 years and I’m determined to build on it through new enterprises in medicine, biomanufacturing and health AI.”
AusHealth has grown to become a self-financing charity that turns over more than $2 million a year through its two commercial divisions.
Last year, profits of about $5 million went to supporting more than 14 research projects and opening the nation’s newest health tech innovation hub, The AusHealth Accelerator.
AusHealth’s twin commercial divisions are operating at record levels. They provide financial services to hospitals (specifically to improve cashflow) and safeguard workplaces through drug and alcohol testing.