Australian clinical research organisation (CEO) Avance Clinical has announced the expansion of its gene technology clinical trial service.
The company is accredited as a gene technology CRO under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR). This accreditation recognises it has resources and internal processes in place to manage pre-clinical and clinical trials for products involving genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
In Australia, activities with GMOs in clinical research require authorisation under the Gene Technology Act 2000 (Act).
The OGTR administers the Act and has the specific responsibility to protect the health and safety of people, as well as the environment, by identifying risks posed by or as a result of gene technology.
The company said the global market for genetic modification therapies is expected to grow from $2.3 billion in 2018 to $17.4 billion by 2023. It is growing at a compound annual growth rate of almost 50 per cent.
Avance Clinical CEO Yvonne Lungershausen said OGTR accreditation is important for the company's international clients.
"Our clients need to know that their CRO has all the necessary credentials and is capable of delivering the highest of clinical research standards in this exciting and rapidly evolving sector," she said.
Avance Clinical said it currently has a number of GMO studies underway and is expanding its services further to accommodate increasing global demand.