Dr Annaliese Dillon
Dr Annaliese Dillon is a Senior Scientist with the Australian Translational Medicinal Chemistry Facility (ATMCF) at Monash University and a medicinal chemist within the national MedChem Australia initiative. Since completing her PhD in Medicinal Chemistry at Monash University in 2022, she has rapidly established herself as a leader in medicinal chemistry, translational drug discovery and research commercialisation. Her expertise spans the design and optimisation of novel drug candidates, project leadership and the strategic advancement of therapeutic programs from discovery through to commercial development.
Dr Dillon has extensive experience leading multidisciplinary drug discovery programs, bringing together chemistry, pharmacology and drug development expertise to progress promising therapeutics toward clinical translation. She has managed complex research portfolios involving strategic planning, budget oversight, contract research organisations (CROs) and cross-functional teams, while building a strong track record in securing competitive funding and delivering outcomes in partnership with international industry collaborators. Her leadership is further demonstrated through her role as Chief Investigator B on a $1.1 million NHMRC Ideas Grant and her contribution to multiple successful translational research initiatives.
A key focus of Dr Dillon's work has been the advancement of a novel therapeutic program for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). In addition to leading medicinal chemistry activities, she has played a central role in developing the program's commercialisation strategy, preparing investor and industry presentations, product development plans and funding proposals. Through extensive engagement with venture capital groups, pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology partners, she has helped shape the program's development pathway and secure substantial funding support. Her pitching and commercialisation activities have contributed to securing more than $800,000 in funding, alongside an additional $1.1 million awarded through other research programs.
Dr Dillon is recognised for her ability to bridge scientific innovation and commercial translation. In 2026, she won the Proto Axiom Challenger Pitch for Health Open Prize, securing $100,000 in funding and demonstrating her ability to communicate complex scientific opportunities to both investment and clinical audiences. She has further strengthened her commercialisation expertise through the MTPConnect Bridge Program and routinely works with industry, investor and commercialisation stakeholders to accelerate the development of Australian drug discovery programs. Her career reflects a commitment to translating innovative medicinal chemistry into impactful therapies with the potential to improve patient outcomes.