We have a positive impact on the world by growing innovative businesses
Australian Companies
Flexible Support, Maximum Impact
Part time retainer services to fill existing gaps in your team, without the commitment of hiring permanent staff.
Technical Support
Technical expertise supporting manufacturing processes and project development and management including regulatory guidance.
Strategy Support
Leverage our extensive commercialisation experience, working in industry, government programs and research organisations.
Global Companies
Market Research
Helping you to navigate the Australian Life Sciences ecosystem and understanding current trends and drivers for the MedTech and Pharma industry.
Stakeholder Engagement
Leverage our deep networks in the Australian industry and research sector to connect with valuable partners and build long term strategic connections.
Market Strategy
Develop effective plans for optimal Australian market entry including navigating barriers to entry and development of a proactive engagement strategy.
Trust
We believe in doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do.
Connection
Our interactions are built on authentic human connections.
Value
We remain committed to recognising and preserving true value, which goes beyond monetary measures.
Impact
We are driven to creating meaningful and positive contributions for our clients and society.
We are inspired by beautiful places in the natural world, which keep alive our passion and focus on what matters most.
Dr Kerstin Schütz
Director
PhD | MBA | GAICD
Biotech and Pharma
MedTech
Governance
Business Strategy
Deep Tech Commercialisation
Dr. Kerstin Schütz is a highly accomplished Executive and Non-Executive Director, recognised for her strategic leadership and ability to drive innovation at the intersection of science, industry, and technology. She is a trailblazer in science-driven innovation, with a mission to translate breakthrough research into real-world impact. With a PhD in Biophysics and an MBA from Melbourne Business School, she brings a rare blend of technical depth and strategic insight to the biotech, MedTech, and Pharma sectors.
Kerstin has worked across Europe, the US, and Australia in leadership roles with global pharmaceutical firms, cutting-edge start-ups, and national innovation programs. She currently supports entrepreneurs through Australia’s Industry Growth Program and serves as a Technology Commercialisation Coach for early-stage ventures through programs such as MedTech Actuator and the federal government’s Industry Growth Program.
A passionate mentor and ecosystem builder, Kerstin also sits on the Investment Review Committee for the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute’s 66ten Fund — the country’s largest research investment fund — guiding early-stage biotech ventures toward success. Her strength lies in connecting people, science, and capital. Whether advising boards, championing founders, or unlocking funding pathways, Kerstin is a catalyst for turning ideas into impact.
Kerstin currently serves on a range of boards and advisory committees, including:
- Walter Eliza Hall Institute’s 66ten Investment Review Committee
- South Australian Government’s Seed-Start Investment Assessment Panel
- Westmead Institute of Medical Research (WIMR) IP & Commercialisation Committee
- Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP) Independent Assessment Panel
- Bridge Program Steering Committee
- AusBiotech SA Committee
Dr Andrew Knill
Principal Technical Consultant
PhD
Biotech and Pharma
Formulation and Process Development
Manufacturing
IP Strategy
Regulatory Strategy
Andrew is a seasoned pharmaceutical leader with a PhD in Organic Chemistry and more than 17 years of global experience at Pfizer, where he played a pivotal role in bringing new therapies to market. With deep technical expertise and commercial insight, Andrew blends scientific rigor with inventive thinking to develop innovative, manufacturable, and competitive pharmaceutical products.
Throughout his career, he has led cross-functional efforts in formulation, process and method development, impurity profiling, and regulatory dossier preparation. His creative problem-solving approach—anchored in a solid understanding of real-world constraints—has resulted in several granted patents for drug formulations and manufacturing processes that continue to underpin Pfizer’s product protection strategy.
Andrew’s regulatory experience spans multiple global markets, with direct engagements with the FDA, EMEA, TGA, and PMDA. As a subject matter expert, he has represented innovation in high-profile international patent infringement cases and helped defend complex intellectual property positions. Renowned for thinking beyond conventional frameworks while keeping commercial reality front of mind, Andrew brings unique value to projects seeking not only scientific excellence but also practical, scalable solutions that meet the demands of a competitive pharmaceutical landscape.
Dr Kylie Ellis
Expert Advisor
PhD
Biotech and Pharma
MedTech
Governance
Business Strategy
Deep Tech Commercialisation
Kylie is an experienced business strategist with a background in biotech leadership, business partnering and technology commercialisation. She leverages her scientific expertise to develop custom solutions for clients with a technical and commercial lens. Her consultation expertise encompasses business strategy, operational improvements, market assessment and go-to-market strategy development. Kylie is dedicated to advancing biotechnology and making a positive impact on the industry and its patients.
Dr Madhavi Maddugoda
Expert Advisor
PhD
Translational Strategy
Research Development
Stakeholder Engagement
Student & Early-Career Researcher Training
Funding Strategy through Competitive Grants
Madhavi is a research strategy and innovation leader with over 20 years’ experience spanning biomedical research, translation, and institutional leadership. With a PhD in Cell Biology and a background in immunology, infectious disease, and epigenomics, she brings deep expertise in shaping high-impact research programs across biotech, academia, and government.
She has led major initiatives in research development, grant strategy, and student training at the Garvan Institute and Institute for Molecular Bioscience and serves as Director of R&D and Clinical Strategy for the UQ spinout Frontier Inflammasome Therapeutics. Madhavi is also an advisor to the ATSE Elevate program, supporting equity and leadership in STEM.
A Graduate of the AICD and experienced board director, Madhavi is known for aligning diverse stakeholders to deliver strategic outcomes, grow translational pipelines, and mentor high-performing teams. She is passionate about helping research succeed through focused strategy, grant funding, and clear pathways to impact.
It is my great pleasure to be able to work with Kerstin on the Australian market. Kerstin possesses strong industry knowledge and has been a valuable contributor to the Australian ecosystem with her know-hows and international connections.
She displays strong thought-leadership and possesses tremendous insights, which benefited the community around her greatly. I strongly recommend Kerstin for collaboration opportunities
I have much pleasure in recommending Kerstin. I've now worked with Kerstin for 2 years in my role as Chair of WEHI's 66ten Investment Review Committee. Her understanding of translation and commercialisation from both the technical and commercial perspectives is first class, and her global networks are extensive and highly relevant.
She is particularly knowledgable in the therapeutic development pipeline and is an excellent mentor to researchers and entrepreneurs in all aspects of translation and commercialisation. She is also a wonderfully helpful personality and a super person. I am now recommending her for other roles within the Australian biotech/medtech ecosystem.
MedTech Actuator is incredibly fortunate to have Kerstin as a dedicated mentor in our community. Her deep expertise in innovation commercialisation, particularly across medical and biotechnology sectors, has been instrumental to the success of numerous startups in our programs.
What truly sets Kerstin apart is her enthusiasm for supporting founders as they navigate the challenging path from initial concept to creating real-world impact. She’s not only knowledgeable but also deeply committed to helping ventures grow.
Teams often share how much they value working with her—praising her insightful guidance, approachable nature, and the significant contributions she brings to their development. Kerstin has left a lasting impression on our community, and we’re so grateful for the critical role she plays in driving forward the future of MedTech innovation.
I've been working with Kerstin for 2 years now and am thankful for the very high level of support and professionalism that Kerstin has shown me.
Kerstin is always thinking and recommending possible solutions, links to opportunities and networking contacts that may offer help. Kerstin thinks outside of the box and has a great eye for detail without losing the big picture. I am looking forward to continuing working with Kerstin into the future.
Andrew has provided significant value to Ferronova by sharing his deep expertise and understanding of pharmaceutical development and regulatory requirements for therapeutic FDA applications.
His thoughtful and practical approach in working with our team has had an impact on our strategy and led to new collaborations with Australian service providers. As an experienced synthetic organic chemist he was able make valuable suggestions that lead to improvements in manufacturing and efficiency of our processes.
Strandnberg was founded with a genuine purpose to create positive impact by helping new medical technologies to reach the market globally. We believe in the importance of global connections, technical excellence and effective strategy development to help our clients achieve their goals.
We work with clients nationally and globally. We have office locations in Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Please direct all initial enquiries to:
Dr Kerstin Schütz
Phone: 0431360810
Email: kerstin@strandnberg.com
