The New South Wales Minister for Health and Minister for Medical Research, Jillian Skinner, has announced an investment of more than $30 million in cancer research projects across seven major NSW research centres.

 

The new Translational Cancer Research Program, launched at the Lowy Cancer Research Centre in Randwick, will bring staff from seven new research hubs together to share knowledge, resources and technology, and  to work with doctors and nurses to get new treatments into practice.

 

Each new facility would have close links to clinical services within the new Local Health Districts.

 

The seven centres, the administering institutions and the lead researchers are as follows: 

  • South-Eastern Translational Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, led by  Professor Robyn Ward;
  • Sydney Catalyst: The Translational Cancer Research Centre of Central Sydney and Regional NSW, University of Sydney, led by Professor John Simes;
  • A Translational Cancer Research Centre for Kids, University of New South Wales, led by  Professor Glenn Marshall;
  • Sydney-West Translational Cancer Research Centre, University of Sydney, led by  Professor Paul Harnett;
  • Hunter Translational Cancer Research Unit, University of Newcastle, led by Professor Stephen Ackland ;
  • South West Sydney Translational Cancer Research Unit, Ingham Health Research Institute,  led by Professor Paul de Souza; and
  • Northern Translational Cancer Research Unit, University of Sydney, led by Professor Stephen Clarke.

Dean of Medicine at the University of New South Wales, Professor Peter Smith, said the NSW Government's commitment to cancer research was welcomed.

 

“This is well targeted, strategic funding that will help put NSW ahead, not only in terms of research, but also in patient outcomes. It’s a broad and ambitious program that insists on smart collaboration between the state’s best cancer researchers and it is to be applauded.”