Strength in clinical trials set to grow with funding boost from Australian govt

The Australian government has said it will provide A$33 million ($24.6 million) to fund world-leading medical research trials and fellowships, supporting doctors and scientists to uncover the next breakthrough and improve the health of all Australians.

The funding will provide doctors, nurses and medical researchers with necessary tools to test their research in a clinical environment while safely speeding up the process so research gains can be translated into better outcomes for patients sooner.

Four major initiatives to further strengthen Australia’s research and medical trials sector were announced:

Through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF),A $13 million will be used to support research into a number of public health areas which contribute to the highest burden of disease, including the application of precision medicine.

The Australian Clinical Trials Alliance will receive A$5 million to support its work in ensuring Australia maintains its world-leading clinical trial standards and continues to support the clinical trials sector.

Australia has produced many world class researchers including Nobel Prize recipients. The MRFF will inject A$8 million to support the next generation of Australian researchers – including a major boost to the number of National Health and Medical Research Council fellowship schemes.

To create a better collaboration, the Turnbull government is also providing A$7 million over four years to help redesign State and Territory clinical trial operating systems.

This will help to establish a state-based, one-stop shop to centralize, streamline and rationalize clinical trial administration – a move supported by all jurisdictions. This investment will make it easier for trial investigators and sponsors to navigate the system and speed recruitment and start-up procedures.

The government says it is on track to double its current medical research funding, with A$1.4 billion allocated under the MRFF by 2020-21 – including over A$640 million in 2020-21.

Under the MRFF, A$65.9 million will be immediately shared by eight research projects, including trialling new drugs, devices and services, clinical fellowships, and projects to address childhood obesity. Other projects include international cooperation to address pandemic, tackling antimicrobial resistance, and supporting cutting edge ideas and the next generation of researchers.