Translating academic
research into
new medicines
The Queensland Emory Drug Discovery Initiative (QEDDI) is a small molecule drug discovery and development group dedicated to translating academic biomedical research into new medicines.
QEDDI is a business unit of UniQuest and the only example of its kind in an Australian university. QEDDI has an industry-experienced team dedicated to advancing biomedical research into new drug candidates to enable commercial partnerships and accelerate new drug development.
Project pipeline
QEDDI’s pipeline includes new treatments for unmet medical needs, including cancer, inflammatory disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

our capabilities
QEDDI has capabilities and expertise to carry out the key phases in a drug discovery program.

Hit identification
Identification of lead-like small molecule hits for a specific biological target. QEDDI are partners in the Australian Lead ID Consortium (ALIDC).

Rational design
Structure-activity-relationship (SAR) development using rational and structure-guided drug design to support hit-to-lead and lead optimisation medicinal chemistry.

Lead optimisation
Iterative compound optimisation to achieve the desired efficacy, safety and DMPK profile in a preclinical development candidate.
latest news
Funding allows QEDDI to open the door to external drug discoveries
The University of Queensland’s small molecule drug discovery facility, QEDDI, will open its doors to researchers from across Australia for the first time thanks to a National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) funding injection.
New target to beat cancer drug resistance
University of Queensland researchers have identified a novel drug target with the potential to overcome drug resistance and prevent tumour regrowth in cancer patients.
Associate Professor Helmut Schaider from UQ’s Frazer Institute said the newly identified molecule was not currently a target for treatment, opening the potential for drug development.
World-first skin cancer treatment for transplant patients seeks investor backing
Researchers are appealing for funding to launch clinical trials into a novel drug which could prevent and treat skin cancer in transplant patients.
The University of Queensland’s Frazer Institute Associate Professor James Wells said the novel drug was discovered and developed in partnership with UniQuest’s Queensland Emory Drug Discovery Initiative (QEDDI), a small molecule drug discovery capability based at UQ’s St Lucia campus.
Funding allows QEDDI to open the door to external drug discoveries
The University of Queensland’s small molecule drug discovery facility, QEDDI, will open its doors to researchers from across Australia for the first time thanks to a National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) funding injection.
New target to beat cancer drug resistance
University of Queensland researchers have identified a novel drug target with the potential to overcome drug resistance and prevent tumour regrowth in cancer patients.
Associate Professor Helmut Schaider from UQ’s Frazer Institute said the newly identified molecule was not currently a target for treatment, opening the potential for drug development.