The relaunch of the Queensland Compound Library as Compounds Australia reflects the facility’s expanding role in enabling vital scientific research in Australia.
The renamed facility was launched yesterday (October 29) by Dr Christine Williams, Assistant Director-General of the Queensland Government’s Science Division, on behalf of the Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, The Honourable Ian Walker MP.
The launch was held during the AusBiotech Trade Exhibition at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre and was made more colourful thanks to the use of cupcakes representing Compounds Australia’s new logo.
Based at Griffith University’s Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery, Compounds Australia will continue the successful compound management services conducted since the Queensland Compound Library’s inception in 2008.
Back then the facility began positively with the receipt of 150,000 samples from Cancer Therapeutics CRC, a collaborative partnership of leading research institutes, universities and biotechnology companies that translate research into new cancer drugs ready for clinical development.
“With Cancer Therapeutics signing on as a client, it was an immediate indication of the trust in, and credibility of, the facility. It sits well with our aim to cement the facility as the recognised benchmark for compound management in this country,” says the Manager ofCompounds Australia, Ms Moana Simpson.
However, under the new title it is also embarking on a concerted program of growth and diversification to boost its collection of compounds and extracts and to enhance benefits for industry and academic research.
The new era has already begun with Compounds Australia providing compounds from the Open Compound Collection to its first international academic member, Parma University in Italy.
As well, Compounds Australia has joined with EU-OPENSCREEN and Therapeutic Innovation Australia in signing a Memorandum of Understanding to allow the sharing of compound collections between Australian and European researchers.
“This demonstrates that while we are bringing together compounds from the Australian chemistry research community, we are also looking internationally. Our new name exemplifies that broader capability and vision,” says the Chair of Compounds Australia, Associate Professor Sally-Ann Poulsen, adding that there are many advantages to scientists entrusting their compounds to the collection.
As Australia’s only dedicated compound management facility, Compounds Australia offers industry standard storage conditions, high end laboratory automation, access to compounds in assay-ready microplate formats and a dedicated team with years of experience in compound management.