The Western Australian Government has awarded over $2 million through its Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund to set up a centre dedicated to developing RNA technology for cancer treatments.
Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson said the University of Western Australia's Archa Fox was the first recipient of the FHRI Fund National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) Partner Program to set up the Western Australia-based RNA Foundry.
This FHRI Fund investment will be boosted by $4.78 million in additional funding from the NCRIS through Therapeutic Innovation Australia (TIA) and the University of Western Australia.
The RNA Foundry forms part of a national network of RNA production centre nodes established to support and accelerate the translation of RNA discoveries into treatments for the community.
The WA node will see researchers and innovators collaborate with oncologists, consumers, and patient advocates to design, produce, test, and improve pilot RNA products.
The Western Australian Government established the FHRI Fund in 2020. It is backed by the State's almost $1.8 billion sovereign wealth fund.
"This is another groundbreaking medical treatment process to be based in Western Australia that has been made possible with investment through the Cook Government's FHRI Fund," said Minister Dawson.
"Our Government's FHRI Fund is proud to partner with TIA and UWA through the NCRIS program to help develop new RNA therapies and improve outcomes and quality of life for those afflicted by cancer.
"Investment in health and medical research infrastructure like the RNA Foundry is critical to ensure WA has the capability and expertise to capitalise on health and medical research and innovation opportunities.
"This co-investment will lead to improvements in health and medical policy, practice, improved patient care and ultimately better health outcomes for Western Australians.
"It will also advance WA as a centre of high-quality training and research, attracting students and talented researchers to our State," added Minister Dawson.