The Drug Discovery Initiative (DDI) was launched in 2018 to develop new drugs by working with clinicians and industry in infectious diseases, cancer, inflammation, neurodegenerative disorders, and metabolic diseases. However, the DDI is not limited to these areas and its research has contributed to antibiotics, cardiovascular diseases, and other health issues.  Much of the research of the DDI uses facilities made available by Sydney Analytical such as X-ray scattering techniques and various types of spectroscopy, usually for characterisation of new drugs or proteins. Recent research within the DDI include Alzheimer's disease, malaria, and tuberculosis.
The current Academic Director of the DDI is Prof. Michael Kassiou.