Victoria is advancing its global leadership in life sciences with a $2.1 million investment in next-generation childhood cancer research.
Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson announced the fund will support two Victorian researchers under the Children’s Cancer CoLab’s Next-Generation Therapies Program. The initiative targets new treatments for children’s cancers that are the hardest to treat, including brain, bone and soft tissue cancers.
Dr Azimi from Monash University will develop models of medulloblastoma – the most common paediatric brain tumour – to efficiently and accurately test potential treatments.
Professor Firestein from the Hudson Institute of Medical Research will receive funding to profile 50 additional paediatric cancer cell lines and using artificial intelligence will work to discover new treatments.
Every year, more than 1,000 children and adolescents in Australia are diagnosed with cancer and more than 100 of these patients tragically lose their lives.
Cancer treatments designed for adults can be ineffective and harmful when used on children. Advances in medical research have seen the survival rate for paediatric cancer recently rise to over 80%. Unfortunately, some cancers have far lower survival rates.
The Next-Generation Therapies Program aims to develop targeted therapies specifically for these paediatric cancers, to improve survival rates for young cancer patients.
The Victorian Government invested $35 million to establish the Children’s Cancer CoLab, alongside $10 million from the Children’s Cancer Foundation. The collaborative initiative unites the best and brightest minds to undertake cutting-edge research to tackle childhood cancer.
Victoria continues to lead cancer research innovation, with the new $152 million Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre recently opening at the Alfred Hospital — providing cutting-edge facilities that attract global talent and investment.
Victoria’s growing pipeline of research-driven health innovations presents a compelling opportunity for biotech, venture capital, and pharma investors seeking to engage early with breakthrough therapies in paediatrics.
Ongoing investment of more than $1 billion in health and medical research over the past decade continues to drive growth, create jobs and support incredible breakthroughs in treatment and care.
Health technologies and medical research are identified as top priority areas in the Economic Growth Statement, reflecting their importance in Victoria’s future economy.
Victoria’s state of the art infrastructure and ongoing investment in life sciences—particularly within Melbourne’s Biomedical Precinct—create a vibrant environment for businesses, researchers, and healthcare professionals to collaborate and thrive.
Learn how Victoria’s research and development sector can support your next innovation through collaboration with top institutions.
