I am delighted to announce that the Government will provide a grant of $20 million to the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) and the Leukaemia Foundation for the Comprehensive Cancer Research Centre.
The establishment of this new centre represents a major advance in cancer research and treatment in Queensland and the Asia?Pacific region, with joint funding by the Commonwealth, the Queensland and an overseas philanthropist.
The new centre includes specially designed laboratories, clinical trial suites, patient facilities and storage capacity to enable the placement of a full multidisciplinary scientific and clinical team in one research facility. These facilities will enable high technology biomedical research to be conducted alongside clinical trials of new cell?based therapies.
The design of the new centre is crucially important, as a major limitation for the conduct of cell?based therapies on a larger scale is the availability of custom?designed facilities in which these therapies can be prepared in compliance with TGA regulations. The centre will have a floor specifically designated for the production of cell?based therapies in a secure, contained and clean environment.
The combined expertise of groups within the QIMR and active collaborations with the surrounding hospitals and universities will create a centre of excellence in the Asia?Pacific region in the delivery of cell?based therapies.
The Commonwealth assistance will also contribute to the generation of employment in the construction phase and to longer-term employment in the research sector.
3 April 2001