P004442 revised AU-VU:EOAS Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation

All key entry types: Awards; Concepts; Corporate Bodies (Organisations); Cultural Artefacts; People; etc

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 English AACR2 Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules Person created 2003-03-25 human Ailie Smith updated 2025-10-29 human https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P004442b.htm person Pucci Alessandra Alberta AO FTSE AACR2 1942 Place of Birth Eritrea Biochemist Alessandra Pucci was founder and chief executive of Australia's first biotechnology company Australian Monoclonal Development (AMD). AMD was formed in the 1980s to develop diagnostic tools and products for the treatment of diseases based on monoclonal antibodies. She later became head of Biodiscovery Ltd, a company that invests in Australian Research, and Director of the Dairy Research and Development Corporation and of Bio-Q Pty Ltd. Pucci was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1988, for services to the community, particularly in the field of biotechnology, and to industry.

After completing a doctorate in pharmaceutical chemistry at Pisa University, Italy, Alessandra Pucci decided to study biomedical sciences at the University of Florence. She obtained her second doctorate there. In 1970 she moved to Australia and soon completed a PhD in immunology at the University of Sydney. This sparked her interest in linking science and business, and lead to the creation of Australian Monoclonal Development (AMD) in 1981. The company, Australia's first biotechnology company, was founded on private funds and a research and development grant from the Australian Government. Within a few years AMD became very successful so was listed on the Sydney Stock Exchange in 1986. In the same year Pucci founded Monoclonal Australia Ltd. Both AMD and Monoclonal Australia Ltd. Were taken over by ICI Australia in 1989.

In 1996 Alessandra Pucci turned her interests to research investment and started Biodiscovery Ltd. A company which invested in Australian Research and was a joint venture between the Garvan institute, John Curtin School of Medicine, and CSIRO Division of Entomology. Biodiscovery was eventually taken over by some of its board members and became a wine producer. Pucci next worked as Director of the Dairy Research and Development Corporation and of Bio-Q Pty Ltd. The Dairy Research and Development Corporation was responsible for funding dairy research and development.

1970s 1970s Life event - Settled in Australia 13 June 1988 13 June 1988 Award - Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) - For service to the community, particularly in the field of biotechnology, and to industry 1990 1990 Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE) Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (1987 - )

Elected Fellow 1990

 Pucci, Alessandra Alberta (1942-)

Trove

 'Pucci, Alessandra Alberta', in Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation, Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology Pucci, Alessandra Alberta Swinburne University of Technology, Centre for Transformative Innovation Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Book: Profiles, Australian women scientists Bhathal, Ragbir Profiles, Australian women scientists Canberra National Library of Australia 1999 Book: Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering Handbook 2001 Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering Handbook 2001 Victoria Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering 2001 Biographical cuttings on Alessandra Pucci, biochemist National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection Biographical cuttings on Alessandra Pucci, biochemist Cuttings Files BIOG Interview with Dr Alessandra Pucci (sound recording), interviewer: Ragbir Bhathal National Library of Australia Oral History Collection Interview with Dr Alessandra Pucci (sound recording), interviewer: Ragbir Bhathal TRC 2572 13 March 1997 1 digital audio tape (c. 120 minutes) and a 27 page transcript. Pucci talks about her family background; schooling; tertiary studies at University of Pisa and doctorates in pharmaceutical chemistry and biomedical sciences. She then gives her reasons for coming to Australia and talks about her work at University of Sydney and her PhD in immunology. Pucci then talks about the establishment of Australian Monoclonal Development P/L and her involvement in establishing two companies in the field of biotechnology. She then gives her views on women and science and the need to encourage girls to take up careers in science. Pucci then considers the achievements of her career.