The Queensland Drug Discovery Alliance (QDDA) is now officially launched following a successful event at the Translational Research Institute (TRI) in Brisbane on 14th October. The event brought together a diverse group of experts from across the sector to celebrate this pivotal moment in advancing drug discovery.
The launch was opened by Stuart Newman, CEO of Therapeutic Innovation Australia (TIA), who spoke about the mission of QDDA to further streamline interactions between translational research infrastructures. He emphasised how QDDA aims to foster seamless collaboration and innovation, supporting translational projects and ensuring a more integrated experience for researchers and industry partners alike.
Prof Ross McKinnon, TIA Director, highlighted Queensland’s prominence in drug discovery, addressing key connectivity challenges while recognising the exceptional quality of Queensland’s scientific workforce. Prof Trent Munro, Chair of Life Sciences Queensland Ltd (LSQ), reiterated that change is happening, stressing the importance of research strategies, infrastructure, and industry partnerships to strengthen the drug discovery pipeline.
Attendees also heard insightful presentations from the directors of QDDA’s three state-of-the-art facilities:
- Prof Sally-Ann Poulsen, Director of Compounds Australia, presented on the capabilities of Australia’s only dedicated biodiscovery sample management facility.
- Dr Brian Dymock, Head of QEDDI, emphasised the importance of teamwork in drug discovery and the critical role QEDDI plays in advancing early-stage research.
- Em Prof Maree Smith, Director of CIPDD, committed to providing researchers with the expertise, resources, and staffing support needed to ensure successful outcomes in drug development.
The event culminated in a panel discussion, which showcased real-world examples of the power of collaboration within the QDDA network.
- Dr Sabrina Sofia Burgener, from UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience, shared how her lab’s collaboration with QEDDI allowed them to expand compound screening and identify promising new targets.
- A/Prof Richard Clark, from UQ’s School of Biomedical Sciences, explained how CIPDD enabled his team to collect critical early efficacy data on animal models, which led to new grant opportunities.
- Andrew Bowskill, of MTPConnect, highlighted how QDDA will enhance collaboration and commercialisation outcomes within Australia’s life sciences sector.
The day was a clear reflection of QDDA’s vision to drive collaboration, not just in Queensland but across Australia, creating a stronger and more connected drug discovery ecosystem.
We would like to thank all who attended and supported the event, including key stakeholders from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Australian Government Department of Education, National Drug Discovery Centre (WEHI), Brandon Capital, MTPConnect, CSIRO Manufacturing, Health Translation Queensland, IP Group plc, Life Sciences Queensland Ltd (LSQ), Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Sanofi, Queensland Health, Griffith University, The University of Queensland, and UniQuest.
Together, we are building a future where collaboration fuels innovation, transforming the landscape of life sciences across Australia.
