The Morrison Government is backing the development of life-saving cancer medicines in Australia.
The government announced up to $61.2 million for the Australian Genomic Cancer Medical Centre’s Project PrOSPeCT – the Precision Oncology Screening Platform enabling clinical trials. The project will be under the Collaboration Stream of the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative.
The $185 million project will establish the country as a hub for developing cancer drugs. It will also help future-proof Australia’s health care system.
The collaboration provides genomic screening through national adult and pediatric oncology networks. The program will then consolidate clinical and patient data to drive the research and development of drugs for Australian cancer patients.
The national ecosystem will assist in conducting clinical trials of customised treatments and precision medicine.
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the project will boost the nation’s clinical trial capabilities.
“Cutting-edge medical treatments such as genomics not only have the power to change lives, they also have the opportunity to transform the medical products sector for Australia. Precision medicine will be a critical part of health care delivery over the next decade,” he said.
“This project will help future-proof our health care, specifically for cancer treatment. Combining research and development, clinical trial networks, and the manufacture of cancer drugs locally offers early access to potentially life-saving treatments to Australian patients.
“These projects will also create highly-skilled jobs in the medical sector while reducing our reliance on overseas suppliers of vital medications.
“The Morrison Government is continuing to back medical manufacturing sector. Today’s announcement investing in leading-edge genomic treatments follows our deal with Moderna to come to Australia and build the first ever manufacturing facility in the southern hemisphere,” Minister Taylor added.
Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt stated that the government is committed to supporting innovation and technology to help improve the lives of Australians.
“Australia has a tremendous reputation for our medical research and this project will help us consolidate patient data to translate those breakthroughs into genomic cancer medicines right here at home,” he said.
“This funding builds on the Government’s unprecedented support to health and medical research, including to improve cancer outcomes for all Australians,” Minister Hunt added.
This project is expected to generate over 200 highly-skilled jobs.
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