About us

Our purpose

Our purpose is to play a significant role in translating Australian chemical and biological discoveries into viable drug candidates that are well-positioned for further development.

We provide expertise in drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME), and pharmacokinetics to multidisciplinary drug discovery teams for improved compound design, selection and progression.

Right study, right time

Drug candidate optimisation fills a crucial gap between discovery and development by integrating medicinal chemistry and biology with the pharmaceutical sciences to provide a rational means of identifying drug candidates suitable for progression into preclinical and clinical development. This process has become an essential, value-creating component of modern drug discovery.

We utilise fully validated scientific platforms to help researchers enhance their chemistry and biology programs. Rather than a ‘one-size-fits-all’ model, we work with our collaborators to tailor study designs to the needs of each specific project and ensure we are running the right study at the right time. Our focus is the timely delivery of high impact, decision-quality data to inform and enhance drug discovery projects, leading to an enhanced IP position for improved commercial attractiveness.

Our partners

The CDCO provides lead optimisation support to drug discovery programs focussed on a range of disease indications including cancer, CNS disorders, cardiovascular and metabolic disease and infectious diseases. Our partners and collaborators include biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, global not-for-profit organisations, Australian research institutes, universities and federally supported cooperative research centres.

Facts and figures

  • Compounds in clinical trials

    Since 2003, our collaborators have progressed new drug candidates into clinical development across many disease indications

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  • Supporting Australian biotech

    Value creation within Australian drug discovery through the support of University spin-out companies and major licencing deals for Australian academic and commercial groups.

  • Registered and approved drugs

    Compounds developed by our collaborators that have reached the market.

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  • Global impact

    Long-standing collaborations with international partners, leading to high-impact publications in prestigious journals.

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