editorial
© Stock.Adobe.com/au/Eckart Koeberich
Riding the research wave In May, Australia celebrated International Clinical
MacLeman and her team have conducted an
Trials Day. The day is celebrated around the world
in-depth analysis of Australian clinical trial
to commemorate the first ever clinical trial in 1747,
activity that demonstrates the significance of the
which was conducted by Scottish Physician Dr
local industry on the world stage. The findings are
James Lind for the treatment for scurvy.
expected to be released in June, well after this issue
Two hundred and seventy years later,
of Lab+Life Scientist goes to press. Keep an eye out
significant progress has been made, but we need
on our website for a detailed article on the report.
to keep working together to further improve
The uncertainty surrounding the future of
prevention, diagnosis and treatment. With some
R&D tax incentive has negatively affected industry
of the world’s brightest minds, Australia has been
confidence, but recent funding announcements
at the forefront of medical health and research.
have provided much-needed cheer. In May, Health
To get some insights on the current state of
Minister Greg Hunt announced a $33 million
the Australian clinical trials market, I recently
funding boost in medical research. Through the
spoke to Sue MacLeman, CEO of MTPConnect,
Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), $13
a not-for-profit growth centre for the medical
million will be used to support research into a
technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical
number of public health areas that contribute
Regards,
(MTP) sectors. MacLeman is a strong believer
to the highest burden of disease, including the
Mansi Gandhi
in the Australian clinical trials market. Up to
application of precision medicine. The Australian
LLS@wfmedia.com.au
1360 new clinical trials are started in Australia
Clinical Trials Alliance received $5 million to
each year, with over half of these focused on the
support its work in ensuring Australia maintains
development and testing of new drugs and medical
its world-leading clinical trial standards and
devices, and the remainder focused on improving
continues to support the clinical trials sector. The
the delivery of quality health care, she said. The
MRFF will inject $8 million to support the next
industry supports over 7000 jobs.
generation of Australian researchers — including
Several factors such as cost-competitiveness,
a major boost to the number of National Health
high-quality data and fast study start-up times
and Medical Research Council fellowship schemes.
make Australia an attractive country to conduct
The government will also provide $7 million over
trials. “Our story is strong, we just need to
four years to help redesign state and territory
communicate it more effectively,” she said.
clinical trial operating systems.
4 | LAB+LIFE SCIENTIST - Jun/Jul 2017
Mansi Gandhi
www.LabOnline.com.au | www.LifeScientist.com.au