MedChem Australia today announced the successful projects selected in its second competitive funding round, marking another significant step forward in strengthening Australia’s drug discovery ecosystem.

Round 2 attracted high-quality applications from leading universities and medical research institutes nationwide. Proposed programs addressed major unmet needs across various disease indications.

Following evaluation by the independent Selection and Review Committee, three Portfolio Projects were selected to receive intensive support. Each project is already benefitting from expert medicinal chemistry and DMPK capability, delivered at an 80 per cent subsidy, to progress early-stage therapeutic concepts.

Director of MedChem Australia, Professor Brendon Monahan, said the results of Round 2 demonstrate both the calibre of Australian biomedical research and the growing momentum behind coordinated national drug discovery initiatives.

“We are pleased to welcome this outstanding group of projects into the MedChem Australia portfolio,” Professor Monahan said.

“The quality of applications was excellent, and the selected programs have strong potential to deliver meaningful impact. Our team is excited to work closely with the project provider to advance their discoveries toward future medicines.”

Established in 2023, MedChem Australia provides subsidised medicinal chemistry and DMPK expertise to translate high-potential Australian research. Headquartered at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Parkville, the initiative is a partnership between Monash University, WEHI, the University of Sydney, and Therapeutic Innovation Australia, with support from the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund.

MedChem Australia Round 2: Portfolio Projects

Targeting Inflammation-Driven Effects to Treat Heart Failure (QIMR Berghofer): Professor James Hudson, Dr Simon Foster, Dr Shea Carter, Janice Reid, Rajiv Tyagi

Development of Novel Small Molecules for Therapeutic Intervention in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (Monash University): Dr Chengxue Helena Qin, Dr Kieran Stockton, Prof. Rebecca Ritchie, Prof. Paul Stupple, Dr David Shackleford, Dr Lauren May, Dr Jane Bourke, Dr Grace Mennen

 Next-Gen Antivirals for Acute and Long COVID (WEHI): Dr Shane Devine, Dr Lee Booty, A/Prof Kym Lowes, Dr Bernadine Lu

Applications for Round 3 are now open.

Researchers with promising early-stage drug discovery programs are encouraged to apply. For further information or to discuss the suitability of your project, please Request a Meeting.