ProfessorIain McGregor

My primary interest is in drug discovery and development,

I have worked for several years on the use of cannabinoids in treating conditions such as epilepsy, anxiety and chronic pain and in promoting healthy ageing. My team has also developed several exciting new drugs inspired by plant-based cannabinoids. I oversee a team of world-class scientists and students with skills in medicinal chemistry, cellular pharmacology, animal models of disease, human psychopharmacology and clinical trials. 

For more information on this visit the website of The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics:

www.sydney.edu.au/science/lambert

An additional interest is in psychedelic drugs and I am currently helping to lead a clinical trial of psilocybin in anxorexia nervosa and a project examining the novel psychoactives present in Australian acacia (wattle) species.

Historically, I have been very interested in the neuropeptide oxytocin and the development of small molecules that stimulate the brain oxytocin system to modulate social and addictive behaviours. This gave rise to the startup company Kinoxis Therapeutics which is currently undertaking clinical trials of the novel compound KNX100 that was discovered in my laboratory.

Finally, my lab also does work in the area of pheromones and the olfactory system and is currently examining at the rodent repellent properties of various feline stimuli.

My research aligns with the Faculty of Science Research Strengths - Brain, Behaviour and Cognition, Preventing and Treating Disease & Disorder, Health and Wellbeing Across the Lifespan.