$1.7 million grant from the JW & M Cunningham Foundation
St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney conducts a substantial number of early-phase clinical trials with participants in NSW and leads nationally in certain disease groups. At any given time, the hospital manages over 200 clinical trials, including some of the most innovative global studies, which are integral to our research programs to advance medical knowledge and ultimately to improve patient care.
In our clinical trials, we test new or modified medications, called Investigational Medicinal Products. These can include placebos and specially prepared drugs for the study that may differ from their standard versions. Preparing these products is scientifically complex and requires careful handling.
To ensure safe preparation, we need a specialised facility called an Advanced Therapeutic Pharmacy. This facility has sterile rooms and is specially designed to prevent contamination that is essential for safely preparing medications used in trials involving toxic substances or live viruses.
The medical areas involved with trials that will immediately benefit from the new Advanced Therapeutic Pharmacy include Haematology and Cellular Therapies, Cancer, Neurology (primarily through Alzheimer’s drug trials), Cardiovascular and Respiratory Medicine, and Immunology.
“The need for this new Advanced Therapeutics Pharmacy is central to the fast and safe supply of emerging medicines and treatments to patients being treated through our leading clinical trials program,” said Prof Philip Cunningham, St Vincent’s Chief Research Officer.
Plans are underway to build this specialised pharmacy. The total cost is $4.4 million, with the JW & M Cunningham Foundation contributing $1.7 million.
