Health, Medical Technologies and Pharamaceuticals

Sector Fact Sheet

The Victorian government is a strong supporter of health, medtech and biotech, and has invested over $40billion in the sector.

VICTORIA'S BIOMEDICAL SECTOR

  • Highly skilled workforce
  • Simple and efficient regulatory regime
  • R&D tax incentives
  • More biotech firms than any other Australian state
  • International reputation for R&D
  • Enabling infrastructure
  • Robust intellectual property system


CANCER CARE, CLINICAL RESEARCH AND THERAPEUTICS

Built on outstanding infrastructure for drug discovery, international cancer experts and a vibrant collaborative culture, Melbourne is connected to the world in advancing oncology cures and treatments.

The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre brings together the world-recognised Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre,

the University of Melbourne, several health services and research institutes in a new $1 billion purpose built facility in Melbourne’s Biomedical Precinct. The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre provides high quality medical treatment and supportive care for cancer patients and their families.

BIOMEDICAL PRECINCT

The Melbourne Biomedical Precinct is located at the edge of the Melbourne city centre and delivers outstanding clinical care, education and world-class research. It is Australia’s most important life science cluster and there are only five of its calibre in the world.

Collectively the Precinct partners employ over 23,000 people including 20,000 researchers in 30 exceptional technology, engineering and medical facilities, all within walking distance of each other.

More information and a full list of the partners is available here.




INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING

Victoria is a key location for innovation and development in the control of infectious diseases. Melbourne scientists receive more than 50% of Australia’s health and medical research funding for infection and immunity research.

Victoria has over 4,700 researchers working across academic organisations and Victorian SMEs focused on infectious and inflammatory diseases and immunology.

$550 million dollars has been confirmed to established and build an Australian Institute for Infectious Disease (AIID). Headquartered in the prestigious Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, the AIID will bring together an exceptional network of leading researchers, public health experts and clinicians from the University of Melbourne, Burnet Institute and Doherty Institute.

CLINICAL TRIALS

Melbourne offers an exciting environment for clinical trials with its combination of leading medical professionals, world class facilities, strong regulatory system and Government support. Trials conducted in Melbourne benefit from a simple and efficient regulatory regime, including the Clinical Trials Notification scheme, where trials can begin within a week of registration. One-third of Australian clinical trials activity takes place in Victoria.

Government support for clinical trials includes R&D tax and cash rebates. Clinical trials data generated in Australia are acceptable for regulatory approval by the FDA, EU and other regulatory agencies.

COST COMPARISON: AUSTRALIA VS USA

DRUG DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT

Melbourne has proven expertise across many stages of the drug discovery process and is well regarded and highly sought after by global pharmaceutical companies. About 200 clinical and pre-clinical programs are currently being run across Melbourne.

Melbourne’s new drug development accelerator, a partnership between Monash University and the University of Melbourne, will deliver new investment opportunities for biotechnology companies and venture capital funds. The development of the breakthrough cancer therapy Venetoclax (Venclexta®) is the result of a successful research collaboration between the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Genentech and AbbVie.

Melbourne is home to over 22 pharmaceutical manufacturers producing a variety of products for international markets using advanced manufacturing technologies


Victoria is a powerhouse in medical research. We want the brightest minds and the brightest minds are attracted to critical mass, excellent support and a great environment to work. Research is tough. It requires significant, long term investment both in people and in facilities and, in Victoria, we do have significant investment in infrastructure.

Professor Sharon Lewin | Director, Doherty Institute Club Melbourne Ambassador


REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

The Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI) is a US$115 million medical research centre based at the Clayton Campus of Monash University. ARMI is one of the largest regenerative medicine and stem cell research hubs in the world.

Melbourne is known for its collaborative capability to deliver transformative treatments. It is a leader in stem cell research and regenerative medicine. Melbourne’s capabilities in the field have been demonstrated through a number of recent achievements.

Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute were the first to identify and isolate breast stem cells, and show how they may be the potential cell of origin for breast cancer.

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES

More than 250 medical technology companies play a key role in the success story of Melbourne as leading biotechnology clusters. Melbourne’s design and engineering companies are recognised for their excellence in translating ideas into cutting edge solutions.

Victoria’s medical devices sector is backed by strong infrastructure, world-leading research institutes and a Government who is committed to supporting innovation. More than 1000 medtech companies are located in the State employing between 4,000 to 5,000 people.

CSL

CSL is an Australian multinational specialty biotechnology company that researches, develops, manufactures, and markets products to treat and prevent serious human medical conditions. CSL’s product areas include blood plasma derivatives, vaccines, antivenom, and cell culture reagents used in various medical and genetic research and manufacturing applications.

CSL has grown to become one of the world’s largest biotherapeutics companies, employing more than 27,000 around the world in 35+ countries with the headquarters based in Melbourne.


CONTACT

Email us at:

bd@melbournecb.com.au