QUEENSLAND'S GERMAN CONNECTIONS - PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Queensland has developed a competitive and diverse Life Sciences Industry, writes LSQ’s chief executive Mario Pennisi in this overview of the sector and some recent developments. Through the continual support and investment from the Queensland Government and leaders from the industry, Queensland has achieved its goal of becoming a knowledge-based economy with a focus on innovation. Continuing on from the Queensland Smart State Strategy of the 1990s which saw the establishment of the southern hemisphere’s most substantial research facilities, 66 institutes and employment of over 18,000 research-related roles, the Queensland R&D Investment Strategy 2010-2020 ensures that the investment in R&D provides a strong, green and innovative economy attractive to international investors and collaborators. This investment by the Queensland Government to develop the required infrastructure has helped attract many world-class individuals to explore and develop their ideas in Queensland. These international researchers not only bring their innovative work to the Australian state, but also help to establish links and collaborations across the world through their extensive networks. Queensland’s infrastructure, expertise, innovative output, systems and global networks, along with its proximity to and trading ties with the growing Asian markets, have led the state to be recognised as a leading and influential life sciences centre and global innovation hotspot. FRAUNHOFER INSTITUTE Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is the largest organisation for applied research in Europe. More than 80 research units, including 60 Fraunhofer Institutes, at different locations in Germany. The majority of more than 20,000 staff are qualified scientists and engineers. €1.8 billion total annual research budget; of this, €1.5 billion is generated through contract research. More than 70% of the Fraunhofer contract research revenue is derived from contracts with industry and from publicly-financed research projects. Almost 30% is contributed by the German federal and Länder (state) governments in the form of base funding. Research centers and representative offices in Europe, USA, Asia and in the Middle East. fraunhofer.de

This recognition has garnered the respect and interest of many international companies and research institutes wishing to expand their businesses, knowledge-bases, research capabilities and international presence. One such institute from Hannover has established many strategic relationships with Queensland organisations to enhance their research outcomes. The Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM) has joined with Brisbane-based clinical research organisation TetraQ. This collaboration seeks to leverage the broad spectrum of combined complementary R&D capabilities and expertise in many therapeutic areas (including airways and pain research) to provide an attractive R&D value proposition to industry partners worldwide. TETRAQ TetraQ is the commercial arm of the Centre for Integrated preclinical Drug Development (CIPDD) at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. TetraQ’s broad range of high quality integrated pre-clinical test services and R&D services, backed up by in-depth technical-scientific expertise and experience in drug development and translational research, sets it apart from many other organisations. TetraQ has gone beyond traditional preclinical testing services and gain experience with a variety of molecules, biologics and monoclonal antibodies as well as having collaborations with researchers in the fields of high-throughput screening, pharmacogenomics, bioinformatics, medicinal chemistry and related disciplines to assist clients in evaluating and validating new leads. TetraQ has consolidated its operations at two locations in Brisbane, and has representation in Japan, Europe, and the USA. tetraq.com.au

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