Landmark funding to expand genomic testing and precision medicine access for Victorian cancer patients

Diagnostics News: A landmark funding contribution will establish an advanced genomic testing program in Victoria, aiming to deliver personalised, precision treatment to an additional 2,000 patients annually.

Cabrini Health, in collaboration with Monash University, is poised to transform cancer care in Victoria with a $10 million donation. The PMF Foundation’s generous donation was inspired by a patient’s first-hand experience under the care of Professor Gary Richardson OAM, Group Director of Cabrini Research and a medical oncologist at Cabrini Hospital.

Nicola Clyne, Managing Director of the PMF Foundation, explained the motivation behind the donation, stating, “The patient credited Professor Richardson and the Cabrini team with significantly extending their life through genomic profiling during treatment. Our goal is to enable more cancer patients to benefit in the same profound way.”

Professor Richardson, leveraging his expertise in oncology and genomics, will spearhead this initiative. He highlighted, “Through broader, more comprehensive genomic testing panels, our clinicians will be able to precisely identify and target the unique genetic drivers of each patient’s cancer – a crucial step in delivering the most effective, tailored care.”

Currently, comprehensive genomic testing can take up to six months, costing patients up to $4,000. Professor Richardson aims to reduce this timeline to mere weeks, thanks to the donation, ensuring more Victorians, particularly in Melbourne’s southeast, receive timely, affordable access to specialised testing.

The program, slated to commence operations in 2025, will include public patients who previously lacked access to such advanced genomics testing. Over the next five years, the $10 million funding, in partnership with Monash University, will enable Cabrini to screen over 2,000 Victorians annually, starting with 1,000 patients in the first year.

Additionally, the donation will fund the appointment of a Monash University-affiliated Chair of Genomics and the establishment of a dedicated genomics laboratory at Cabrini, expanding its clinical trials for precision cancer treatment.

“If patients enter a system with closer monitoring and access to genomic sequencing, it’s proven they do much better,” Professor Richardson said. “This donation represents a significant step forward in the fight against cancer.”

Professor Richardson, an expert in rare cancers, stressed that the data generated through this genomic profiling initiative will improve treatments for future generations. The insights gained could unlock complex pathways involved in cancers like triple-negative breast cancer and High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma, potentially leading to breakthrough targeted therapies.

In reimagining healthcare, Health Industry Hub^TM is the ONLY one-stop-hub uniting the diversity of Pharma, MedTech, Diagnostics & Biotech sectors to inspire meaningful change. The exclusive leadership and influencer podcasts and vodcasts offer unparalleled insights and add immense value to our breaking news coverage.

The Health Industry Hub^TM content is copyright protected. Access is available under individual user licenses. Please click here to subscribe and visit T&Cs here.