The federal government has included the development of new medicines and therapies as a key feature of its $220 million 10-year Mission for Cardiovascular Health.
Health minister Greg Hunt has released a draft Roadmap for public consultation as part of the plan announced in the 2019-20 budget. The 10-year mission is being funded through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
According to the roadmap, cardiovascular disease results in premature death and disability and is responsible for one-in-three deaths - around 43,500 deaths in Australia each year.
It identifies six 'flagship strategic areas' for investment - drug discovery, bioengineering, precision medicine, data, clinical trials, and implementation and policy.
On drug discovery, it says funding will go towards promoting the "targeted development of new therapies incorporating emerging biology", while on 'bioengineering' and 'precision medicine' it promotes new technologies and convergence.
Mr Hunt also announced the members of the Mission for Cardiovascular Health Expert Advisory Panel, including some of Australia's most prominent medical researchers and venture capital leaders.