The federal government has provided $5 million to establish the Australian Research Council (ARC) Research Hub for Medicinal Agriculture to research the cultivation and production of plant-based medicines.
Education minister Dan Tehan recently opened the research hub at La Trobe University.
"This research hub will help to develop a profitable and sustainable industry that provides jobs and leads to better health outcomes," said Mr Tehan.
"Research conducted here will assist primary producers and manufacturers to use the latest technologies to optimise their production as well as help train the specialised workforce needed to underpin Australia’s developing medicinal agriculture industry.
"Our Government is funding research that fosters collaboration between Australian universities and industry to deliver outcomes that benefit everyone."
The hub is designed to promote collaboration between nine participating organisations across two countries with $19.7 million in cash and in-kind support.
The partners are: The University of Melbourne; Cann Group Limited; Under the Tree Biopharmaceuticals; Hexima; Photon Systems Instruments; Sensadata; Palo Alto Research Centre; and, Bioplatforms Australia.
Visit the ARC Research Hub for Medicinal Agriculture website for more information.