AusBiotech commends comments from Health Minister Greg Hunt who noted the “golden opportunity” for Australia to be a world leader in clinical trials and medical research.
Minister Hunt told the media, and noted during his CEDA address, that Australia and its health system are seen as having fared well during the COVID-19 outbreak, giving us an opportunity to attract new medical research, technology and clinical trials, post-pandemic.
AusBiotech CEO, Lorraine Chiroiu, said: "We have the right ingredients in Australia to become a global leader in clinical trials as we leverage a strong and established base of reputation for quality, the R&D Tax Incentive, cost effectiveness and regulatory system.”
“However, our start-up times are hampered by processes that need to be simplified and we welcome Minister Hunt’s comments.
“Notably the intention to work with the states and territories to simplify the clinical trial process is very much needed and is key to attracting the world’s medical research and giving Australians better access to new therapies, vaccines and medical devices.
“The Minister’s commitment to a clinical trials “one-stop-shop” is the ideal segue to streamlining clinical trial start-up times and reducing complexity, and as we look to Australia’s recovery after COVID-19, the opportunity for change that will put Australia in a leading position, increase our onshore capabilities and deliver for patients,” she said.
Clinical trials remain a critical path to bringing health technologies to patients in Australia. Australia has well-developed and highly-regarded early phase clinical trial facilities that play an important role in Australia’s economy, healthcare and social fabric, with benefits beyond helping develop new treatments. Clinical trials represent a AU$1 billion industry investment, and the most recently published Biotechnology Industry Position Survey found that around half of the responding CEOs were undertaking clinical trials.
Around 2,000 Australians take part in clinical trials each year. They assist in the improvement of the healthcare system, providing early access to unapproved treatments, as well as providing valuable economic activity and providing high-level Australian jobs in science and research.