WA Clinical Research Facility Kicks Off First Trials

August 18th, 2010 - Media Statement

Western Australia's recently-opened state-of-the-art early phase clinical trials facility has officially begun operation, with its first trials currently underway.

The $9.4 million centre at the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research's (WAIMR) Nedlands campus, which is operated by wholly-owned subsidiary Linear Clinical Research Limited, has been contracted to test a new cancer treatment.

Linear General Manager Cameron Johnson said the oncology trial was being done in collaboration with WA cancer researchers.

"This research will see up to 20 patients in Western Australia help test the effectiveness of a new drug that could help reduce solid cancerous tumours," he said.

Trial volunteers would be approached by their doctors to take part in the research.

"We also have a number of other clinical trials awaiting final approvals in a variety of therapeutic areas and will commence in the coming months. These trials will be conducted on behalf of Australian biotechnology companies, as well as international pharmaceutical companies," said Mr Johnson.

WAIMR acting director Professor Peter Leedman congratulated Linear on the developments.

"To have world-first trials taking place here in WA is a real achievement - not only are local patients getting early access to new medications, but the facility is helping draw in dollars that would otherwise have been spent outside of the State," he said.

WAIMR is WA's premier adult medical research institute.

Volunteers interested in taking part in a clinical trial can visit www.linear.org.au or call 1300 LINEAR.

For more information please contact:
Carolyn Monaghan
Communications Manager
Mobile: 0448 021 932 (media enquiries only)
Office: (08) 9224 0377
Email: carolyn.monaghan@waimr.uwa.edu.au