Posted: 15 April 2024
The Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS), which sits within Monash’s world-leading Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, has appointed Professor Martin Scanlon as the new Theme Leader for Medicinal Chemistry.
MIPS is renowned for its unique proposition as an ‘end-to-end’ research Institute driving the discovery and development of new and improved drugs right across the multi-staged process that transforms early stage concepts into life-changing medicines.
As such, MIPS comprises five key themes that align with the drug discovery, development and medicine use pipeline, including Drug Discovery Biology; Medicinal Chemistry; Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation; Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics and the Centre for Medicine Use and Safety.
Professor Scanlon will assume the new position of Theme Leader, Medicinal Chemistry following multiple leadership roles at MIPS, including Director of the ARC Centre for Fragment-Based Design and Scientific Director of the Monash Fragment Platform.
As Theme Leader, Professor Scanlon will lead a team of scientists focused on synthetic medicinal chemistry, structure-based drug design, fragment screening and academic drug discovery. In addition to the ARC Centre for Fragment-Based Design and the Monash Fragment Platform, the Medicinal Chemistry Theme is also home to the Australian Translational Medicinal Chemistry Facility and in collaboration with WEHI and The University of Sydney, MedChem Australia. Together these capabilities support the development of a range of internal and external collaborative medicinal chemistry programs.
Professor Scanlon’s laboratory was among the first in Australia to establish the technology of fragment-based drug design and he is recognised internationally for implementing this approach in early-stage screening and drug discovery programs.
Dean of Monash University’s Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor Arthur Christopoulos FAA FAHMS said Professor Scanlon has both the experience and vision required to take MIPS’ esteemed Medicinal Chemistry Theme to the next level.
“Martin’s accomplishments are significant, sustained and globally renowned. He and his dedicated team have made fundamental contributions to Australia’s medical chemistry landscape and we are thrilled he is stepping into this new leadership role, which will be pivotal in propelling our Medicinal Chemistry Theme toward an exciting and prosperous future,” said Professor Christopoulos.
Professor Chris Porter, Director of the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS), will work closely alongside Professor Scanlon.
“Medicinal chemistry plays a critical role in guiding projects through the early stages of the drug discovery pipeline to translate ‘hits’ into ‘leads’ and ultimately into drug candidates with enhanced commercial value,” said Professor Porter.
“At MIPS, we have a strong emphasis on advancing the scientific discipline of medicinal chemistry and the application of this knowledge to accelerating the development of home grown, high quality medicines. I am delighted that Professor Scanlon will take on the role of Theme Leader and I look forward to working with him to expand our impact in the drug discovery arena.”
“On behalf of MIPS I would like to warmly welcome Martin into this exciting new position.”
