State assistance brings unique medical research facility to fruition

Western Australia will be better placed to remain at the forefront of the world's medical research with the Liberal-National Government today opening a new $9.4million clinical trial facility at the QEII Medical Centre.

Health Minister Kim Hames and Science and Innovation Minister Troy Buswell said the dedicated facility provides WA with its first early phase clinical trials facility and critical infrastructure for the State's local biotechnology, pharmaceutical and clinical research sectors.

Established by the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR), the purpose- built 24-bed facility will be used to run early-phase clinical trials to determine the suitability ofnew drugs and treatments.

"This new facility will enable local companies to conduct early-phase clinical trials in WA rather than interstate or overseas, and stands to attract high-quality national and international scientists to undertake ground breaking research that will benefit our community," Dr Hames said.

"It will provide WA with infrastructure that will better the understanding of disease, improve diagnosis and find more specific treatments for a number of medical problems.

"We see it leading to the development of unique partnerships with hospital-based principal investigators and individual researchers.  Close collaboration with Perth's tertiary hospitals and WAIMR scientists will enable the facility to source specialist physicians in a variety of therapeutic areas."

Mr Buswell, whose portfolios include Science and Innovation, said world-leading research and discovery was taking place in the State every day. 

"Clinical trials sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry already contribute about $15million annually to the State's economy. This facility will create even more opportunities," he said.

"Western Australia is fortunate to have internationally recognised clinicians and scientists who are making outstanding discoveries and advances in medical research.

"WAIMR's new facility will further enhance our capacity and capabilities to compete with the rest of the world in medical research." 

The facility will be operated by WAIMR's wholly-owned subsidiary Linear Clinical Research Limited.

Health Minister's office - 9222 8788

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