The state government has announced a new $17 million medical research grants program to help boost pandemic preparedness.
Medical Research Minister Ben Carroll announced the inaugural Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics grants have been awarded to 22 research teams, involving more than 80 researchers from the Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
The grants will assist researchers in the development of novel therapeutics for pathogens most likely to be involved in possible future pandemics, as well as developing treatments for other infectious diseases and viruses.
They will also assist with research to identify disease threats before they emerge, limiting the impact of outbreaks and preventing life-threatening outcomes.
Two landmark projects to be supported by the grants include the development of antiviral therapeutics for respiratory infections using gene editing and mRNA technologies, and creating a suite of precision microbiome-based biotherapeutics.
The Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics was launched in 2022. The centre is currently reviewing applications for the second round of grants, with $5 million in funding available to medical researchers globally.
“These grants are an investment in our leading medical researchers – helping us prepare to fight future pandemics and advance new technologies for life-saving treatments,” said Medical Research Minister Ben Carroll.
Details: cgcpt.edu.au.
