Contract Research and Discovery

Our contract research has led to the discovery and development of cancer therapeutic agents and other commercial products.

Lab equipment

Why work with QIMR Berghofer?

We deliver integrated preclinical and clinical research capabilities, backed by state-of-the-art infrastructure and deep scientific expertise to accelerate your drug development.

Our Capabilities:

  • Tailored Study Design - Customised projects from discovery through clinical-stage development
  • Cost-Effective Solutions - Flexible quotes with efficient turnaround times
  • Advanced Spatial Profiling (NCSTAR) - Integrating spatial biology with AI-driven computational analysis for translational insights and biomarker discovery
  • ISO 17025-Accredited Labs - Quality-assured histology, FACS, and sample processing for regulatory-grade results
  • Characterised Tissue Banks - Extensive collections supporting biomarker validation and translational research
  • Validated Disease Models - Proven in vivo models in oncology and infectious diseases (malaria, scabies, viral pathogens)

Our Contract Research Process

We follow a straightforward process to deliver contract research services

Our Process:

  • Consultation - Discuss your project requirements and objectives
  • Proposal & Quote - Provide a statement of work (SOW) and quotation
  • Contract Agreement - Finalise terms and deliverables
  • Project Delivery - Execute work with dedicated project management

Get Started:

Email business.development@qimrb.edu.au for more information about our contract research capabilities. We'll connect you with the most suitable investigator to develop a project plan and budget.

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PC3 Platform for Respiratory and Vector-Borne Viruses

Dr Daniel Rawle

PC3 Facility research

The QIMR Berghofer Emerging Viral Diseases Laboratory is one of the few Australian institutes offering contract R&D for high-containment respiratory and vector-borne viruses in our certified, state-of-the-art PC3 Facility. We provide in vivo and in vitro studies designed and customised to meet your specific research needs, supporting the development of antivirals, vaccines,
and immunomodulators from early discovery through to IND-enabling studies.

Learn more about our PC3 platform

Human Brain Organoids & Cellular Models for Neurodegenerative Drug Development

Associate Professor Anthony White

The QIMR Berghofer Cellular and Molecular Neurodegeneration Laboratory offers customised contract R&D services built on advanced human brain cell models tailored for translational drug
development. Backed by years of experience supporting industry clients, we provide a broad portfolio of patient-derived, disease-relevant models (outlined in the table below) that enable drug screening and optimisation, neurotoxicity assessment, disease modelling, and blood-brain barrier penetration studies. Our high-fidelity platforms are designed to closely mirror human brain complexity, accelerating your preclinical decision-making and reducing risk in advancing drug candidates towards the clinic.

Learn more about our Organoids & Cellular Models

Mouse-Mosquito Transmission Model for Arbovirus Drug and Vaccine Development

Adj. Associate Professor Leon Hugo

A mosquito and viruses

The QIMR Berghofer Mosquito Control Laboratory offers tailored contract R&D services with one of the few facilities in Australia equipped to conduct mosquito-mouse transmission studies of biosecurity level 2 and 3 (BSL2/BSL3) pathogens. This rare capability is enabled by the co-localisation of a mouse holding
facility within our Biosecurity Insectary Containment level 3 (BIC3).

Learn more about our Mouse-Mosquito Transmission Model

Identifying pathogenic pathways in respiratory immunology.

Associate Professor Simon Phipps

The Respiratory Immunology Laboratory - web graphic

Novel mouse models of viral bronchiolitis and later asthma investigating virus-specific, immune and microbiome-related parameters. The capabilities of the Respiratory Immunology Lab include asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but also extend into microbiota and immune cell development. Industry partners looking to investigate allergen responses to foods and supplements, or the modulation that can occur within the microbiome are encouraged to enquire.

The Respiratory Immunology Laboratory

Controlled Human Malaria Infection (CHMI) Platform

Associate Professor Bridget Barber

Malaria - infected blood cells

The QIMR Berghofer Clinical Malaria Laboratory offers customised contract R&D services based on a well-established Controlled Human Malaria Infection (CHMI) model. CHMI is
widely considered a gold-standard model for early clinical evaluation of antimalarial drugs and vaccines in a controlled human setting, providing critical human data to guide decision-making before advancing to large-scale field trials. These CHMI studies are conducted in collaboration with the University of Sunshine Coast Clinical Trials Site.

Learn more about Controlled Human Malaria Infection (CHMI) Platform

Core Facilities

QIMR Berghofer offers high quality integrated scientific support services that are available to external clients. Setting up a method, instrument or even an entire facility for a scientific need is an expensive process. Simplify the process and see if the bespoke scientific services that QIMR Berghofer have established can contract for the work for you and provide the results with reduced hassle.

Core Facilities List

Statistical Consultancy

The Statistics Unit conducts collaborative research and provides a statistical consultancy service to support quality statistical design, analysis and interpretation of research. This team has extensive experience in the fundamental details needed to formulate your research questions. This expertise can pay dividends if enlisted early, but can be included at any stage. We can assist in writing research grants and protocols to give the leading edge or at a larger scale to support large conglomerates for day-to-day statistics or large project analysis.

Statistical Services

Learn more about our research