$8 million investment in world-class clinical trials

Five Australian-led trials will receive funding from the Government’s Medical Research Future Fund International Clinical Trial Collaborations program.

Researchers at the University of Western Australia will receive $1.8 million to investigate the best approach for treating severe narrowing of the aortic heart valve (aortic stenosis), which is a very common condition. This large clinical trial will test if earlier valve replacement will improve outcomes for patients.

Macquarie University has received $3.1 million to investigate reducing the risk of dementia by protecting brain health through lifestyle changes.  

The George Institute for Global Health will receive $902,000 to evaluate the best treatments for aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage caused by a burst artery in the brain. In people aged between 40 and 60 years with this condition, nearly half will die and a third will suffer permanent disability. The clinical trial will help doctors better manage patients with this condition.

The University of Newcastle will receive $782,000 to trial the use a new type of wound dressing on patients to reduce infections following emergency abdominal surgery. 

The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute will receive $1.4 million to investigate the best ways to support fragile lungs in preterm babies, which are prone to collapse and cause injury from the first time they breathe. While positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) at birth is essential to support the preterm lung, this project will conduct the first large clinical trial of PEEP strategies in preterm infants. This clinical trial will provide important guidance to clinicians across all health care settings worldwide.

Each project will run at least one clinical trial site in Australia with Australian patients, while collaborating with international researchers or trial teams.  

The International Clinical Trial Collaborations program supports Australian researchers, to collaborate globally to develop new or novel drug applications, devices and treatments. 

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