Agilent and University of Melbourne Launch Innovation Hub for Environmental Research

Agilent Technologies Inc. has officially launched its new Agilent Innovation Hub in collaboration with the University of Melbourne. This initiative, announced on November 12, 2025, aims to advance research in environmental health and safety through innovative technologies and academic expertise.

The Agilent Innovation Hub, which operates through the Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants (ALEC), integrates Agilent’s cutting-edge technologies, including its Infinity III Liquid Chromatography (LC) systems. This collaboration seeks to enhance the understanding of environmental pollutants that pose risks to public health.

“The partnership with Agilent demonstrates the potential of collaboration between academia and industry,” said Assoc. Prof. Brad Clarke of the University of Melbourne. “It enables us to move beyond identifying known contaminants to discovering the thousands of unregulated chemicals that may exist in our environment and bodies. Such knowledge is vital for protecting communities and guiding effective regulation.”

This marks the second collaboration between Agilent and the University of Melbourne, building on their shared interest in addressing Australia’s environmental health challenges. The ongoing research will focus on emerging pollutants, including synthetic per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), microplastics, and flame retardants. These efforts aim to deliver innovative solutions tailored to Australia’s unique needs.

Bharat Bhardwaj, Agilent’s Vice President of APAC Sales, emphasized the significance of this hub in advancing biomonitoring and environmental research. “We are proud to launch the Agilent Innovation Hub with ALEC. By leveraging our 6495C Triple Quad LC and LDIR systems, we have achieved world-class breakthroughs in parts per quadrillion (PPQ)-level quantitation of PFAS and microplastics in drinking water.”

The Agilent Innovation Hub aims to enhance the discovery pipeline by integrating new capabilities such as InfinityLab Assist Technology, InfinityLab Level Sensing, and high-resolution Revident Quadruple Time of Flight LC/MS. These technologies will improve automation and accuracy, empowering scientists to identify previously undetected compounds with exceptional precision.

Since their partnership began in 2017, Agilent and Assoc. Prof. Clarke have fostered continuous innovation in environmental research. Their collaboration has evolved from initial studies utilizing Agilent’s 6495B Triple Quad LC/MS system to the establishment of the ALEC research facility in 2020, where Agilent plays a foundational role as an industry partner.

Agilent Technologies, a global leader in analytical and clinical laboratory technologies, reported a revenue of $6.51 billion in the fiscal year 2024 and employs roughly 18,000 people worldwide. The company is committed to delivering innovative solutions that address pressing scientific questions, reinforcing its leadership in environmental analysis and sustainable innovation.

The launch of the Agilent Innovation Hub signifies a notable step forward in environmental research, aligning with Agilent’s strategic expansion across Asia, which includes the establishment of Centres of Excellence in flagship university campuses in South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia. The collaboration between Agilent and the University of Melbourne reflects a shared commitment to enhancing public health and safeguarding the environment through rigorous scientific inquiry.