CHONDROMETRICS CEO ON ONE-MONTH SABBATICAL IN AUSTRALIA

Big thanks to David Hunter and Milena Simic for a very warm welcome in Australia for my 1-month sabbatical, which took me to Sydney (NSW) to work with David & his group on mutual projects, concepts, & publications, then to Burleigh Heights (Queensland), for a National training and mentoring program for early-to-mid-career musculoskeletal researchers (MUSQ), then to Barossa Valley (South Australia) for the 2024 Conference on Quantitative Musculoskeletal Imaging, QMSKI, and finally to the Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne (Victoria) for meeting many colleagues and collaborators: SEE THE PICTORIAL ESSAY

It was a terrific start, heading with David straight from SYD airport to the Iceberg restaurant at Bondi, where meeting his daughter who was on shift that evening. To be followed by an enjoyable afternoon at with Milena Simic at Bondi Beach discussing our putative clinical trial and a systematic review paper on imaging studies of non-pharmacological, non-surgical interventions. On the weekend, some fine walks took us around Vaucluse, Nielsen Park, Shark Beach, Rose Bay, Dover Heights, Parsley Bay, the Gap, Watsons Bay & the Hornby Lighthouse. This was crowned by a fabulous kayak trip with David from Jenny’s beach to Watson’s beach, enjoying the first morning sunshine and the magic Sydney skyline.

During the 1^st week I spent time at the University of Sydney, presenting on “Imaging Biomarker Qualification” and Imaging Endpoints in Osteoarthritis”, first at the historic main campus and later the week at the Kolling Institute at Royal North Shore Hospital. I was trying to draw a perspective from the past to the latest achievements in participant selection for DMOAD trials, (multi-faceted) image acquistion protocols, (automated) image analysis methodologies, and the appropriate use of imaging endpoints, ideally to be qualified as surrogate outcomes for accelerated DMOAD approval. It was rewarding to meet so many established researchers and PhDs face to face, from David’s and other groups in Sydney, all working on osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal imaging, and related topics. I also greatly enjoyed visiting the facilities, particularly the beautiful historic Anatomical Museum, Theater, and Dissection-Rooms. Another highlight was the walk from the Spit Bridge to Manly. Following the spectacular North Sydney Harbor coast and many beautiful bays, we eventually hit the famous “Bavarian” Restaurant at Manly wharf for a well-deserved lunch.

The 2^nd week was spent at Burleigh (Gold Cost, Queensland), with first class accommodation at the Hunter’s summer house. A big thanks to Kim Bennell (University of Melbourne), Paul Hodges (University of Queensland), and David for organizing an absolutely wonderful retreat, targeted at mid- and early-career researchers, with the venue taking place at Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park Surf Life Saving & Supporters Club. Invited presentations encompassed a range of clinical trial topics, including “Single to complex imaging endpoints in clinical trials” presented by myself. A lot of interesting short talks & pitches were also held by mid- and early-career investigators across various timely topics. Yet, Burleigh had more to offer than a acclimatized conference center at the beach. It definitely takes Australian discipline to stay in the sessions rather than rushing out to swim, surf, hike, run, bike, paddle-board, canoe, and whatever pleasant things can be done in this lush environment. It was a particular pleasure to meet with Ishanka Munugoda for a nice day trip to the close by National Parks, and to chat about everything that has happened since he worked with us in Salzburg as a visiting post-doc on an OARSI scholarship.

During my 3^rd week the QMSKI (Quantitative Musculoskeletal Imaging) workshop took place in Barossa, South Australia. This venue provides a unique format, bringing together those who research musculoskeletal tissues using the vast possibilities of modern (multi modal) imaging tools. With a focus on young investigators, novel technologies, and technical aspects of imaging, and with ample time for discussion, this 5-day event took place at the Novotel in a unique and secluded setting, where running away from the site simply was not an option. The approx. 100 participant meeting started with an accommodating welcome reception, to be followed by very well-organized research sessions, an exciting afternoon excursion to the nearby vineyards, and an awesome farewell party. See you all in beautiful “Island” where QMSKI 2026 will take place next.

The 4^th week came with a big variety of geographical highlights, starting with exploring Barossa a little bit deeper after the QMSKI workshop. Saturday was not a straight ride south, but one that looped through the backcountry and the beautiful Eden Valley, taking a familiar group of hitchhikers all the way to Adelaide. The city greeted us with beautiful exhibitions in its botanic gardens, and the so-called dumpling festival on its riverbanks, with lots of vibes and bites. The next day took me along the spectacular South Australian Pacific Coast, then further to the Victorian coastline, and finally along the Great Ocean Road. From there, and bypassing Melbourne, the ferry permits to cut right across the bay to the beautiful Mornington Peninsula, where I spent a lovely evening and next day with Kim Bennell, discussing eventful old (OARSI-Board) times as well as state-of-the-art study designs for OA clinical trials . Visiting Cape Schank lighthouse, the Mornington beach in the sunset, and the peninsula Hot Springs the day after left gorgeous impressions, before rendering visit to Flavia Cicuttini and her husband at their lovely home in Hawthorne. The next day was dedicated to meeting the team of Magellan Stem Cells Inc. at their impressive production site in Braesi, where we exchanged ideas and concepts about their phase 3 clinical trial that is about to be initiated with Julien Freitag (CMO), Michael Kenihan, Renee Castelluccio, Sara Shaba, David Petrie, and Peter Hansen. The weekend then passed quickly exploring the buzzling Melbourne city center and meeting new and old friends and colleagues: Ali Ghasem-Zadeh, Adam Culvenor, Ziru Wang, and Stefan Lohmander, stimulating interesting discussions and activities. The last evening’s highlight was a visit to the Tina Turner musical currently performed in Melbourne, making a “grand finale” and farewell for the (long) way home.