This year we received an impressive spectrum of applications for the @NSWDDF showcase. Researchers from around the state put forward their best solutions in response to globally urgent health challenges.
We’re delighted to announce the presenter line-up for the NSW Drug Discovery Forum 2025.
Neurological & CNS Disorders
Prof Julie Atkin (Macquarie University)
A new small molecule drug and biomarker for motor neurone disease
Dr Daryl Ariawan (Macquarie University)
Cyclic peptide therapeutics to treat Alzheimer’s Disease
Infectious Diseases
Dr Nathan Bryant (The University of Newcastle)
Small interfering RNA for the treatment of rhinovirus infections
Dr Matt Doyle (The University of Sydney)
First-in-class compounds to block disease-causing activity of bacterial infections
Oncology
A/Prof David Croucher (Garvan Institute of Medical Research)
Selective inhibition of oncogenic JNK signalling in metastatic triple negative breast cancer
Dr Pegah Varamini (The University of Sydney)
Targeted peptide-drug conjugate platform enabling precision therapy for triple-negative breast cancer
Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders
Dr Daniel Beard (The University of Newcastle)
Nanonitrate: Selective brain blood flow enhancer to treat stroke
Dr Kirsten Coupland (The University of Newcastle)
A drug-based means of inducing therapeutic hypothermia
Other
Dr Bijay Dhungel (Centenary Institute)
Receptor modulation to lower the dose of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapies
Dr Lisanne Spenkelink (The University of Wollongong)
Detection of low-abundant biomarkers down to ~10 fg/ml using single-molecule sensing
