Victorians are being promised better access to ground-breaking treatments for preventing and curing blindness, thanks to a multi-million-dollar investment in a new clinical trial centre by the Victorian Government.
Minister for Industry and Innovation, Ben Carroll today announced that Breakthrough Victoria will invest $10 million towards a new eye clinical trials centre at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital to help boost the number of clinical trials for world-first treatments for eye disease.
“We’re backing projects like CERA because we know these investments help to change lives, create jobs and boost our economy for years into the future,” said Minister Carroll.
The Minister said the new centre, which will be embedded within the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), will also enable further research into areas such as gene and cell therapy – allowing patients to access treatments that may still be years away from being available to the public.
“The new centre will position Victoria as the go-to location for international clinical trials of innovative treatments to prevent blindness, restore sight and transform the lives of people living with incurable eye conditions,” said CERA Managing Director, Professor Keith Martin.
Rural and regional communities are also set to benefit from the expanded network of local optometrists participating in clinical trials and the provision of eye-care telehealth service through the new centre.
“Our investment in a new clinical trial centre is a stunning example of how research can improve people’s lives, while also cementing Victoria’s international reputation as a destination for investment, research, and global talent,” said Minister for Medical Research, Mary-Anne Thomas.
Establishing the new clinical trials centre is set to give around 2000 patients access to new therapies over the next 10 years – and create around 50 new jobs.
Construction of the centre is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
