Alchemy Issue 35

Cover story

It’s official: Monash is number one

Monash has ranked number one globally in the 2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject for Pharmacy and Pharmacology. This incredible result is the culmination of years - even decades - of hard work from our academics, researchers, students and leaders. The ranking not only recognises Monash’s innovative approach to education and research but also means it is likely to continue to attract the best and brightest from around the world.

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‘The Don’ of Monash Pharmacy gets a gong

In October 2022, respected pharmacist, Dr Alistair Lloyd AO RFD ED FPS, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Laws; Honoris Causa), the highest possible accolade from Monash University. A giant of the profession, we explore his impressive career and contribution to Australia’s pharmacy sector.

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Made at MIPS: Recent commercialisation successes

For the last 14 years, the innovative entrepreneurial research emerging from Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences has been making headlines. Several of its ventures have become commercial success stories, attracting millions in grants and investment.

When Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) was established in 2008, it aimed to be more than just a traditional research arm of the newly established Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Following an innovative research model, MIPS was designed to facilitate industry collaboration, foster multidisciplinary research teams and incubate new commercial opportunities. And, in the 14 years since it was founded, it has been doing exactly that.

MIPS has made a huge impact, continually differentiating itself through its entrepreneurship and novel solutions. This has helped it attract large-scale financial investment and grants, taking Monash's research and expertise to the next level and allowing it to forge a reputation as a world-leading research institute.

Septerna Inc. attracts US$100 million Series A financing

OmegaOne Therapeutics fights inflammation

Phrenix Therapeutics identifying effective treatments for schizophrenia

Ankere Therapeutics potential for a global impact on inflammatory lung disease

Inhaled Oxytocin Project receives funding to reduce maternal mortality

A guide for academics on navigating a path to commercialisation for nanoneedles

Transforming pharmacy education

Monash was the first Australian university to create and offer an integrated Bachelor of Pharmacy(Hons) / Master of Pharmacy, which reimagined, refined and replaced the Faculty’s existing Pharmacy degree. In 2022, the first student cohort to graduate from this award-winning vertical integrated master’s degree entered the workforce.

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Making waves in mRNA

Monash made a name for itself in the global race to find a vaccine against COVID-19, with researchers from MIPS developing three mRNA vaccine candidates in 2020. The University remains at the forefront of mRNA research in Australia with several key partnerships and developments over 2022.

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Her Research Matters

Improving gender equity and the representation of women in science is not a new issue. Her Research Matters is a grassroots collective set up in 2019 that's on a mission to highlight and celebrate the work of women researchers within the Faculty and MIPS.

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News in brief

Catch up on our faculty's biggest news stories from the past year.

MIPS partners with industry and research leaders to train a highly skilled cryo-electron microscopy workforce

Pharmacy students trained to provide flu and COVID jabs

CDCO shares in $17 million funding

Shining the spotlight on local medicine manufacturing with MMIC

What's new?

Updates from the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Research with impact

MIPS has three Therapeutic Program Areas (TPAs), which encourage researchers from different backgrounds to work together on specific diseases and challenges in neuroscience and mental health, cardiovascular and metabolic health, and global health.

Here are some of the research stories that emerged over 2022.

New Clinical Practice Guidelines for Psychotropics in aged care

Neuroscience and mental health

Tackling deadly ‘superbugs’

Global health

MIPS drug delivery technology GlyphTM reaches new milestones

Global health

Developing next-generation HIV antivirals

Global Health

Funding for local COVID-19 antiviral therapy

Global Health

World first breakthrough for obesity treatment

Cardiovascular and metabolic health

Nitroxyl represents a promising therapeutic intervention for cardiovascular emergencies in type 2 diabetes

Cardiovascular and metabolic health

Where are they now?

Find out where our alumni go.

Dr Kavita Pabreja

Regulatory Affairs Coordinator at Bioproperties Pty Ltd

Dr Belle Lim

Graduate Analyst at Deloitte Access Economics

Dr Alice Berizzi

GPCR Drug Discovery Scientist at Exscientia

Lauren Haworth

Pharmacist in Charge at TerryWhite Chemmart Maddingley

Aspasia Dukas

Compounding Manager and Proprietor at Dúkasa Compounding

Nan Yu

Founder and CEO at My Dementia Companion; Senior Manager, Commercial Excellence, Business Analytics and Insights at Vifor Pharma

Alumni Benefits

Enjoy the perks of your lifetime Monash alumni membership.

Alchemy is produced by the Development Office, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University
Managing Editor: Rachel Ung · Writers: Emma Sorensen, Ralph Grayden, Amber Howison, Karen Gee, Kate Carthew and Larissa Ham · Imagery: Ryan Wheatley, Ben Jeges, Sam Hart, Amy Chen and Isabelle McEntee · Research, print and distribution: Marian Simkin · Web: Amy Chen and Isabelle McEntee
Disclaimer: Views expressed in Alchemy are those of the authors and persons quoted and are not necessarily those of the Monash Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University.