Commercialisation

The QIMR management team consists of men and women whose backgrounds comprise over 100 years' combined experience at senior executive positions in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry. The strength of QIMR's management stems from their combined expertise in both management and technical areas.

We aim to match the outstanding quality of research at QIMR with excellence in technology transfer. QIMR's quality of research is coupled with a dynamic entrepreneurial spirit, one that successfully manages to balance the need for maintaining commercial imperatives without interfering with the rapid exchange of information that is necessary to facilitate scientific research. We work closely with QIMR researchers to protect intellectual property and maximise the exploitation of patents, either through licensing or the creation of spin-out companies.

QIMR's capability is rare - we have the infrastructure (under one roof) to take a novel concept from the bench, through GMP manufacture to the clinic. In addition, QIMR is a not-for-profit medical research institute. Therefore, as profit is not our main motive, we have the flexibility to take on development projects of interest to us that are sometimes not commercially viable for many companies. Our GMP and clinical trials capabilities allow QIMR to cost-effectively add significant value to our technologies and those of our collaborators/partners/licensees.

Licensing Opportunities

QIMR is recognised as one of Australia's leading Medical Research Institutes and QIMR scientists are also at the world's forefront in the discovery of genes, mechanisms of disease, and novel vaccines and therapeutics. Our scientists publish their research in leading-edge, top tier scientific journals such as Nature Genetics, Nature Immunology, and The New England Journal of Medicine. In 2002-2003, QIMR scientists were awarded nearly $33 million in competitive peer reviewed grants, including $12 million from the United States' National Institutes of Health. Such publications and grant awards are proof of the quality and innovative science conducted at QIMR.

QIMR takes an active role in capitalising on this innovation by protecting the intellectual property generated as a result of their research.

QIMR has an extensive intellectual property portfolio in the infectious diseases and oncology therapeutic area. QIMR also has platform technologies for drug and vaccine delivery. We actively seek Commercial Partners who have an interest in the research and development of seed and early stage technologies that have the potential to grow rapidly into successful businesses.

For further details on licensing opportunities, please contact:

Dr Gerald Haaima, Head, Business Development
Dr Janet Fox, Business Development Associate

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Spin-Out Companies and Partnerships

QIMR has also formed commercial strategic alliances with other Medical Research Institutes, Hospitals, Universities, Charitable Foundations, and companies. Arrangements include collaborative basic research, consulting, contract research, development and manufacture of novel therapeutics, clinical trials, exclusive licensing of QIMR technology, company spinouts and business partnerships.

Spin-out Companies

• Q-Pharm
  Q-Pharm Pty Limited is a joint venture between QIMR and the University of Queensland. Q-Pharm specialises in Phase 1 clinical trials and bioequivalence studies.
• Adipogen
  is a partnership between QIMR, Uniquest and Uniseed. Adipogen focuses on the development of novel targets and therapeutics for the treatment of obesity.

Alliances

• Sequenom
  Sequenom is a high-performance DNA analysis company whose Asia-Pacific headquarters are based at QIMR. Sequenom utilises the MassARRAY system, a high-performance DNA analysis platform, SNP assay portfolios and an extensive DNA sample repository to implement their disease gene discovery programs.

QIMR currently has 20 different Contract Research Arrangements with National and International Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Companies.

Participant

QIMR is also an active participant in the following joint programs:

• Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health
  The CRCAH aims to reduce the burden of disease in Indigenous communities by promoting research partnerships and the translation of research findings into active health policies and practice.
• Australian Centre for International and Tropical Health and Nutrition
  ACITHN focuses on public health and medical research among disadvantaged communities and developing countries, particularly in the Pacific and Asian regions.