THE HON GED KEARNEY MP
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGED CARE
MEMBER FOR COOPER
The Albanese Labor Government is ensuring the next generation of lifesaving drugs and world-class medical treatments can be developed in Australia by launching MedChem Australia (MCA).
Australia is a world leader in medical research, but translating discoveries into commercially viable drug candidates remains a challenge. This breakthrough initiative will bridge that gap.
MCA will bring together Australia’s top medicinal chemistry groups - Monash University, the University of Sydney and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) in collaboration with Therapeutic Innovation Australia to accelerate promising early-stage drug discovery projects towards clinical trials and create new medicines for a broad range of diseases.
MCA will be headquartered at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Melbourne and will include state-of-the-art facilities and staff at WEHI and the University of Sydney.
Projects that could partner with MCA towards progressing a drug candidate include the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre’s work on breast cancer prevention.
The Albanese Labor Government has invested $9.76 million through the Medical Research Future Fund’s Critical Research Infrastructure Grant Opportunity.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney MP:
“Australia has always punched above its weight when it comes to medical research. The cochlear implant, the medical use of insulin and the HPV vaccine were all born out of the genius of Australian researchers. The Albanese Government’s investment reinforces and builds on this strength to help Australia become a world leader in commercially viable drug development.
“Labor’s investment in this project will help grow local research, support Australian jobs, boost the economy and increase our ability to develop and manufacture critical medicines onshore”.
Quotes attributable to Director of MedChem Australia, Professor Brendon Monahan:
“MedChem Australia will help fill a critical gap in Australia’s drug discovery pipeline and strengthen sovereign capability with the development of homegrown, high quality medicines.
“Australia has no shortage of projects to create new therapeutic options to treat human disease which are highly innovative but short on resources, especially in medicinal chemistry. MedChem Australia will provide the brightest projects with medicinal chemistry expertise and capability to accelerate progression, enhance success, and maximise value and impact.
“By bringing together Monash University, WEHI and the University of Sydney, and with funding support from the Commonwealth Government’s Medical Research Future Fund and Therapeutic Innovation Australia, MedChem Australia will deliver preclinical candidates, increase opportunities for new biomed spin-outs, and engage actively with industry to drive investment and generate new jobs.”
Quotes attributable to Associate Professor Kara Britt Cancer Evolution and Metastasis Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre:
“As co-chair of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Steering group focussed on accelerating the development of novel cancer therapies, I am excited that many of our cancer researchers will be able to expedite the development of better therapies through partnerships with MedChem Australia.
“At the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre we’re currently screening drug targets that might be able to be used to block the first steps in breast cancer development. MedChem Australia represents an exciting new and accessible path to accessing medicinal chemistry experts to progress our research to a candidate drug that can be offered to women at increased risk of developing breast cancer”.
Media contact
Gabriel Steger | 0448 896 940
