Contract facility to speed medical research

Australia's first preclinical contract R&D facility, TetraQ, was officially launched today to help speed the movement of medicines out of the laboratory and into the marketplace.

Situated at the University of Queensland, the facility was opened by Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations, John Mickel.

The organisation will provide expertise and support through preclinical trials of new drugs, which are required before human trials and subsequent release to the market.

"Australian biotech companies, universities, research institutes and the pharmaceutical industry now have access to a highly skilled commercial R&D service, with a wealth of experience in the four core disciplines that are required in preclinical drug development," said business development manager, Rose-marie Pennisi.

"TetraQ now provides its services internationally and the global market will be a target for future growth. We are also collaborating with drug development companies in other countries to offer our clients access to services not available in Australia and vice versa."

The work performed by the facility will be accepted for international regulatory review, which provides a high degree of assurance to its customers.

TetraQ has already assisted Melbourne-based Metabolic Pharmaceuticals with the preclinical development of a new painkiller, made from the venom of the Australian marine cone snail.

It also aided Brisbane company Progen Industries with a new cancer treatment that is now being tested in human trials.