The Morrison Government will invest $80 million to develop a world-class biomedical research facility in South Australia.
Set to be located in the heart of Adelaide’s BioMed City precinct, the South Australian immunoGENomics (SAiGEN) Cancer Institute will provide new, more effective and curative approaches to diagnosing and treating cancer.
Genomic profiling of rare and less common solid and blood cancers for South Australian patients will be provided, along with clinical trials of CAR-T cell therapy for brain cancer patients and the development of new antibody and small molecule therapies for breast cancer.
SAiGEN Cancer Institute will bring new cutting-edge technologies in immunotherapies and genomics together with talented researchers and physician-scientists under one roof, to make breakthrough cancer discoveries and develop new tests and treatments.
The SAiGEN Cancer Institute will:
- Provide South Australian patients with genomic profiling of their cancers, immunotherapies, and new cancer therapeutics.
- Use cutting edge technologies in immunotherapies and genomics to make breakthrough cancer discoveries and develop new cancer tests and treatments.
- Enable South Australian patients with rare and less common cancers to participate in the Australian Genomics Cancer Medicine Program.
- Train South Australian doctors in new research disciplines.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said this investment will enable South Australian patients to receive world-leading cancer treatments closer to home.
“Cancer is a major universal health problem and among the most challenging of diseases to treat,” Minister Hunt said.
“The fight against cancer will benefit from greater integration of South Australia’s cancer researchers, many of whom are already individually recognised as leaders of international cancer research in their own right.”
“Coupling cancer researchers locally, with cancer institutes nationally and internationally, will help foster faster diagnosis, better therapies and, ultimately, cures,” Minister Hunt said.
The Government acknowledges Centre Alliance Senator Stirling Griff for working with South Australian cancer physicians and scientists to develop the SAiGEN Cancer Institute concept and proposal to Government.
The SAiGEN Cancer Institute will also support research at the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy, which Centre Alliance advocated for in 2017.
Adelaide’s BioMed City Precinct aims to be globally recognised for leading in research, education, clinical care and population health.
The new 14-floor BioMed City building, currently called SAHMRI2, will soon commence construction and is expected to be finished in 2021.
The SAiGEN Cancer Institute, as well as the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy, will be located in the BioMed City building.
The Cancer Institute is akin to the Melbourne Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Sydney Children’s Cancer Institute, with a strong focus on cancer research and clinical trials.
The Morrison Government’s strong economic management ensures the continued investment of record funding into vital health initiatives including medical research, mental health, life-saving medicines, Medicare and hospitals.