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Research collaboration creates 15 new jobs for Victoria
1 February 2012
Minister for Technology Gordon Rich-Phillips today welcomed a partnership between The Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (MIPS) and a leading European pharmaceutical company Les Laboratoires Servier (Servier) to undertake cutting-edge drug discovery and research activities in Victoria.
Mr Rich-Phillips said the collaboration with Servier reinforced MIPS’ position as the largest and most successful pharmaceutical sciences research institute in Australia and consolidated Victoria's leadership in pharmaceutical sciences.
“The collaboration will result in the creation of up to 15 new, highly skilled jobs for Victoria, and cements Victoria’s reputation as a leading life sciences location,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.
“This major research collaboration between MIPS and Servier is a result of ongoing Victorian Government support and investment in MIPS, as a platform for engagement with industry and the development of Victoria's pharmaceutical science skill base.”
The collaboration will initially run for three years and focus primarily on the identification of G-Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR) targets that will support the development of new therapies to treat a range of human diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, central nervous system disorders, and oncology.
Mr Rich-Phillips said MIPS’ world-class research facilities, expert technology and existing strengths in early stage drug discovery, make it an ideal partner to support Servier in the design of new therapies.
“The partnership will also have skills development outcomes for Victoria, with MIPS and Servier to undertake employee exchange placements during the collaboration period, growing collective capability in drug discovery and development,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.
“This will benefit not only the company’s product development capability, but also strengthen skills for MIPS researchers, and in turn local PhD students in Victoria.
“The Victorian Coalition Government is investing in the life sciences sector to ensure that the right conditions exist in Victoria to support the growth of life sciences companies.
“In 2011, we released Victoria's Technology Plan for the Future – Biotechnology – a $55 million plan to promote biotechnology-enabled innovation.
“A key focus of the plan is on capability development and ensuring the necessary talent pool exists in Victoria to capitalise on our world-class R&D base, something the MIPS / Servier collaboration supports,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.
Professor Bill Charman, Director of MIPS and Dean of Monash University Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences said MIPS was delighted to partner with Servier to advance early stage drug development programs.
“We are fortunate to have access to a good R&D skills base in Victoria, and the support MIPS has received from the Victorian Government over the years has gone a long way to securing this partnership with Servier,” Professor Charman said.
Emmanuel Canet, M.D. Ph.D., Head of Servier R&D said Servier was a company dedicated to the discovery and research of novel therapeutics for the treatment of human disease.
“This alliance with MIPS, an acknowledged leader in the field of GPCR biology, will significantly enhance our capacity to identify and address original targets that may lead to therapies for untreated needs,” Dr Canet said.
