WAIMR Spin-Out Company Announces Global Partnership

April 16th, 2010 - Media Statement

Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) and University of Western Australia spin-out company Dimerix Bioscience Pty Ltd has entered into a research agreement with a UK-based subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Japan's largest pharmaceutical company.

Dimerix will use its specialized technology platform which investigates G-Protein Coupled Receptors - a family of 'receptors' found on the surface of cells that mediate communication with other cells - and look closely at those of interest to Takeda Cambridge Limited.

Dimerix' unique G-Protein Coupled Receptor Heteromer Identification Technology (GPCR-HIT) is used in drug development to screen for new targets as well as profiling compounds, toxicity and side effects, and enables the development of more targeted drugs with fewer side effects.

The technology is based on research by WAIMR's Laboratory for Molecular Endocrinology, now led by 2009 WA Young Scientist of the Year Associate Professor Kevin Pfleger.

Dimerix chief scientific officer Associate Professor Pfleger said this was a groundbreaking partnership for the company which signaled a growing interest in this field from the pharmaceutical industry.

"This agreement with Takeda Cambridge Limited is an exciting prospect for Dimerix and is a reflection of the growing recognition by the pharmaceutical industry of the importance of this research to drug discovery," he said.

WAIMR director Professor Peter Klinken congratulated Dimerix on their agreement.

"Securing this agreement with a major, global pharmaceutical company goes to show that WA is attracting keen interest from world-leaders with its scientific knowledge and discoveries," he said.

"Experts like Associate Professor Pfleger and the Dimerix team are real assets to WA as they bring new investment opportunities and lead the way in drug discovery technology."

For more information please contact:
Carolyn Monaghan
Communications Manager
Mobile: 0448 021 932 (media enquiries only)
Office: (08) 9224 0377
Email: carolyn.monaghan@waimr.uwa.edu.au