The Translational Medicinal Chemistry Facility at Monash University’s Parkville campus has been officially launched as a  collaborative partnership between the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS)  and the Federal and Victorian Governments and private industry.

The facility is housed in new, dedicated and well-equipped laboratories and is co-located with the Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation, which has collaboratively supported the translation of 16 drug candidates into clinical evaluation.

Director of MIPS and Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor Bill Charman said world-class medicinal chemistry was essential to translate fundamental biological and chemical insights into potential drug candidates destined for pre-clinical and clinical development.

“Collaborative research between chemists, biologists and pharmaceutical scientists is essential to translate innovative research insights into high value, clinically relevant products and new medicines,” Professor Charman said.

“Our strengths are in structure-based drug design and synthetic medicinal and organic chemistry. Our researchers apply these chemical principles and techniques to the discovery and development of compounds to prevent, treat or cure disease.”

The facility was officially launched at a Monash Business Breakfast where discussions were held into how the Facility and MIPS could provide access to translational expertise in medicinal chemistry, lead optimisation, drug delivery and pre-clinical development.