Chris Florides has been appointed Managing Director of genetic testing and molecular diagnostics company Saturn Biotech.

Immediate past president of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (Western Australia), Greek-born Mr Florides has an honours degree in agricultural science from the University of Wales, United Kingdom.  

He has many years global experience in agri-business, both in R&D and management, having worked internationally for ICI and DOW CHEMICAL.

Since arriving in Australia in 1986, he has owned and operated a mixed farming enterprise and a grain drying and seed cleaning business in Western Australia’s south-west.

Using world class biotechnology and novel equipment, Saturn Biotech provides high quality molecular diagnostics and genetic testing services to Australia’s agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture industries.

Mr Florides said Saturn Biotech was a global leader, having developed unique, robust, high-throughput technologies, including innovative molecular genotyping for grain variety preservation.

“Agriculture’s adoption of biotechnology is essential to advance Australia’s 40 billion dollar crop and livestock industries, with new technologies adding value to industry and, ultimately, enabling quicker, more assured routes to markets,” he said.

Saturn Biotech is based on Murdoch University’s campus at the Western Australia State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre (SABC), Western Australia’s major centre for agricultural biotechnology.

Recognised by the Western Australia Government as a centre of excellence for R&D, the SABC provides state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to support high quality, multi-disciplinary research in agricultural biotechnology.

Home to $10 million worth of infrastructure, the SABC hosts more than 200 scientists from Western Australia universities, the Department of Agriculture and industry, including 94 Honours and PhD students doing molecular research into crops and livestock.

Welcoming Mr Florides’ appointment, SABC Director, Mike Jones said partnerships between industry and the SABC were a win-win, with the SABC providing critical mass and quality R&D, while industry partners and their trained graduates ensured academic work focused on commercial needs.

“With his sound commercial skills, his advocacy of the benefits of biotechnology and his broad experience, Chris will contribute significantly to Saturn Biotech’s Board and its laboratory operations as the company continues to grow,” Professor Jones said.