Multimillion-Dollar Surge in Innovative Health Research

• Local innovators given a strong foundation for health and medical research
• New scheme awards $10 million across multiple grants
• Significant enhancement to medical research facilities and equipment

Innovative health and medical researchers in Western Australia will receive a $10 million funding boost under a new scheme announced by the Cook Government.

Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson said a range of grants were being provided through the inaugural Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund Enabling Scheme.

The scheme will target funding for state-of-the-art medical facilities and equipment to support and foster health and medical research in Western Australia.

An experienced panel of researchers and industry professionals assessed applications and awarded 11 grants to the following recipients:

• The University of Western Australia;
• Telethon Kids Institute;
• Murdoch University;
• Ear Science Institute Australia;
• Curtin University;
• Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research;
• Cyclowest Pty Ltd; and
• Royal Perth Hospital Medical Research Foundation Inc.

The Royal Perth Hospital Medical Research Foundation was awarded $1.5 million for the construction of six new research laboratories.

These laboratories will support researchers across WA, including universities, the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, and the East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS).

As the primary laboratory space for EMHS researchers, this facility refurbishment will support bench-to-bedside research and provide the best outcomes for WA patients.

Murdoch University has been awarded $1.25 million to establish a clinical grade manufacturing facility for synthetic small RNA (ribonucleic acid) therapeutics to support early-phase human clinical trials in WA.

More than $1.4 million has been awarded to Cyclowest to produce radiopharmaceutical therapies that can deliver radiation therapy specifically to cancer cells, reducing the risk of adverse side effects to nearby healthy tissue.

Since its inception, the FHRI Fund has awarded more than $115 million in grants to more than 500 recipients.

As stated by Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:

"The Cook Government's successful FHRI Fund targets funding to support local medical research organisations and position WA as a global leader in research and innovation.

"By improving the health and prosperity of all Western Australians, it also provides an opportunity to diversify our economy, create jobs and improve the sustainability of our health system.

"With this $10 million in funding, we continue to position WA as an attractive environment for the future generations of health and medical researchers.

"This is a win-win for the WA community and for medical research in the State."