Peter Colman wins Mayne Florey Award

Monday, November 29th 2004

The Australian Institute of Political Science (AIPS) has presented the Mayne Florey Award 2004 to Professor Peter Colman in recognition of his groundbreaking structural biology research. The award and honorarium recognises important discoveries in biomedical research that support health professionals in preserving or restoring health.

Professor Colman, Head of the Structural Biology Division at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) in Melbourne, was chosen from eleven leading biomedical researchers to receive the award for work that led to the discovery of a new class of anti-influenza drugs, the neuraminidase inhibitors.

Chairman of the AIPS, Professor Rick McLean, said that Professor Colman's use of structure-based drug design has made a significant impact upon drug discovery.

"Following more than two decades of influenza virus studies, Professor Colman led his team to discover zanamivir. This is among the first examples of a drug discovered by the process of structure-based design, an approach now used by HIV drug researchers as a routine tool for drug discovery."

Zanamivir led to the discovery of a second anti-influenza virus drug, oseltamivir.

Commenting on the award, Mayne's President Global Services, Mr Alan Reid, said, "Mayne is committed to supporting pharmaceutical research and development. Mayne hopes that recognition of scientific achievement will encourage the commercialisation of research in Australia and we are proud to sponsor the 2004 award. I congratulate Peter on his outstanding contribution leading to the registration of two products for the treatment and prevention of influenza."

The Mayne Florey Award was established in 1998 in honour of one of Australia's Nobel Prize-winning scientists, Sir Howard Florey, who developed penicillin. Previous winners include WEHI's Professor Jacques Miller in 2000 for his discovery of the function of the thymus.

Reflecting on the award, Professor Colman said, "Especially for an Adelaide boy like me, it's a tremendous honour to be associated with the name of Howard Florey. It has been a long journey from being a physics student at the University of Adelaide to being able to bring health benefits to so many people. I enjoyed strong support from the CSIRO in the period leading to my key discoveries and I am now delighted to work at WEHI in pursuit of new cancer therapies. Everyone in Australia who has ever worked on the influenza virus is in a special sense a 'son of Burnet' so it's wonderful to be conducting research at 'his' institute."

The AIPS is an independent, non-partisan organization formed in 1932 to help promote understanding and discussion of important political, social and economic issues to ensure a more informed approach to national issues. One of the major activities of the AIPS is the Tall Poppy Campaign, celebrating the achievements of Australians who have excelled in a range of endeavours.

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Email: allan@wehi.edu.au