MSD and UniQuest to jointly develop immuno-oncology therapies

Global healthcare company MSD and the University of Queensland’s commercialisation company, UniQuest, have partnered to develop a platform for new immuno-oncology therapies.

The collaboration will combine the expertise of MSD’s Research Labs in oncology and immunotherapy with that of the labs of Professor Ranjeny Thomas and Professor Riccardo Dolcetti at UQ’s Diamantina Institute to developing new treatments for cancer.

Professor Thomas said, “Both teams will be contributing unique expertise in immunology and oncology, as well as their own proprietary technologies, to enhance the performance of a range of cancer therapies.”

UniQuest CEO Dr Dean Moss said, “This collaboration strengthens the relationship between UQ’s world-class researchers and one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies starting with the commercialisation of the Gardasil HPV vaccine and, more recently, the research collaboration with UniQuest spin-out company Vaxxas to commercialise the Nanopatch vaccine delivery technology.”

Under the agreement, MSD will be responsible for the clinical development activities of research outcomes.