Australia’s first national initiative dedicated to breaking down capability barriers by providing subsidised medicinal chemistry expertise to promising drug discovery programs has announced its inaugural Round 1 projects to tackle a range of diseases.

Applications were received from universities and research institutes from four states, addressing unmet needs across eight different therapeutic areas. Following assessment by the independent Selection and Review Committee, six projects were selected, three as ‘Portfolio Projects’ and three ‘Pilot Projects’.

MedChem Australia Portfolio Projects will be backed by game-changing support in medicinal chemistry and DMPK at an 80 per cent subsidy. Pilot Projects will receive mentorship, advice and other support, with the aim to progress toward being ‘Portfolio Project’ ready.

The projects seek to develop new therapeutic interventions for different cancers, heart disease, a paediatric genetic disorder, hearing loss, and obesity.

Director of MedChem Australia, Professor Brendon Monahan, said each selected project aligns with MedChem Australia’s goal to facilitate the translation of cutting-edge research into tangible advancements in drug discovery.

“Our thanks to everyone who submitted an application. We congratulate the successful applicants for their outstanding proposals and we look forward to working with them to progress the projects towards becoming much-needed new safe and effective medicines that can transform the lives of people and communities around the world” said Professor Monahan.

“Collaboration and multi-disciplinary teams are essential in developing new therapies. Our experienced drug hunters are able to contribute to these projects in a way that will add real value and set them up for success down the track.”

Established in 2023, MedChem Australia is committed to helping translate innovative biomedical research into new medicines and commercial opportunities by connecting outstanding Australian science with medicinal chemistry and drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) expertise. Headquartered at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Parkville, MedChem Australia is a partnership between Monash University, WEHI, University of Sydney and Therapeutic Innovation Australia, with support from the Australian federal government’s Medical Research Future Fund.

MedChem Australia Round 1: Portfolio Projects

Development of HCK-inhibitors to improve anti-cancer immune checkpoint response and to treat chronic lung inflammation (Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, La Trobe School of Cancer Medicine), Prof. Matthias Ernst, Annalisa Carli, Dr. Ylva Bozikis.

Development of a New Class of GPCR Biased Agonist for Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (Monash University) Prof. Rebecca Ritchie, Dr. Chengxue Helena Qin, Dr. Annaliese Dillon

Epigenetic approach to treating Prader Willi Syndrome (WEHI) Dr. Nicholas Liau, Prof. Marnie Blewitt, Prof. James Murphy

MedChem Australia Round 1: Pilot Projects

Selective targeting of oncogenic JNK signalling (Garvan Institute of Medical Research) A/Prof. David Croucher, Prof. Jonathan Morris, Dr. Sharissa Latham

Developing a new protein kinase inhibitor for metabolic disease (St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research) Dr. Kim Loh, A/Prof. Jonathan Oakhill, Dr. Christopher Meoli

Novel small molecules for treatment of sensorineural hearing loss (Ear Science Institute Australia) A/Prof. Elaine Wong, Prof. Marcus Atlas, Prof. Lee Yong Lim, Dr. Connie Locher, Dr. Victor Chuang

Applications for Round 2 will be open in the last quarter of 2024.

MedChem Australia is thrilled to announce its inaugural call for Round 1 project applications is now open. With a commitment to breaking down medicinal chemistry & DMPK capability barriers and fostering partnerships that promise to drive breakthroughs in drug discovery, MedChem Australia invites applications from researchers across Australia. This call for applications aligns with MedChem Australia’s goal to facilitate the translation of cutting-edge research into tangible advancements in drug discovery.

Key Details:

Application Period: First call for projects applications is officially open.

Eligibility: Applications are welcome from researchers from Australian Universities, Medical Research Institutes (MRIs) and small companies.

Deadline: Applications are due by 5 pm on Friday, 19th April 2024.

“This marks an important moment for MedChem Australia as we open our doors to applications from across the country” said Prof. Brendon Monahan, Director of MedChem Australia. “We are excited about the opportunity to engage with the Australian biomedical research community and, ultimately, demonstrating the transformative impact that collaborative efforts can have on advancing drug discovery and the creation of new medicines.”

Until the online portal for application submission is completed in January 2024, the Round 1 Application Form can be viewed on the MedChem Australia website, along with supporting information. A video of the recent MedChem Australia Information Session webinar, along with a copy of the associated slide deck, are also available on the website.