Professor Darren Kelly is a Professor in the Department of Medicine at St Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. He serves as Director of Biomedical Research and leads the Biomedical Translational Research Group. Kelly holds a PhD in Translational Medicine and a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Melbourne. He has previously held the position of Associate Dean for Innovation and Enterprise in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. With more than 25 years of experience, his career encompasses academic research, translational medicine, and biotechnology commercialization. Kelly's research centers on the mechanisms of pathological inflammation and fibrosis that drive organ dysfunction and failure in diseases including chronic kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, lung disease, liver disease, and retinal disorders. His expertise spans diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, metabolism, chronic renal failure, cardiology, pharmacology, and blood pressure regulation.

The Biomedical Translational Research Group collaborates across medicinal chemistry, receptor biology, functional physiology, and pharmacology to identify novel therapeutic targets and develop precision medicines for fibrotic and inflammatory conditions. Key research projects target cardiorenal syndromes, cardiovascular disease, and retinal fibrosis. Kelly has received major awards including the NHMRC Research Fellowship in 2009 and the JDRF Career Development Award. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology. His prolific publication record exceeds 350 papers with over 13,600 citations. Notable publications include "Thioredoxin-Interacting Protein: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Treatment of Progressive Fibrosis in Diabetic Nephropathy" (2015), "Inhibition of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 ameliorates left ventricular dysfunction by reducing hypertrophy and fibrosis in a rat model of cardiorenal syndrome" (2020), "FT011, a Novel Cardiorenal Protective Drug, Reduces Inflammation, Gliosis and Vascular Injury in Rats with Diabetic Retinopathy" (2015), and "Chronic kidney disease with comorbid cardiac dysfunction exacerbates cardiac and renal damage" (2017). Kelly's translational impact is demonstrated through founding Fibrotech Therapeutics, acquired by Shire in 2014 for US$75 million plus milestones, and Certa Therapeutics, where he serves as CEO and Managing Director, advancing anti-fibrotic agent FT011 into Phase II clinical trials for systemic sclerosis.

Professional Email: darrenjk@unimelb.edu.au