- Cook Government announces hospital researchers awarded more than $3 million
- Grants co-funded by FHRI Fund and the RPH Research Foundation
- Research areas include cancer treatment and post-surgery complication prevention
The Cook Government, in partnership with the Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) Research Foundation, has awarded more than $3 million to three Western Australian clinical researchers to progress their life-saving projects.
Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson said funding the work of these local medical specialists would lead to significant positive impacts for the health and wellbeing of the Western Australian community.
The funding is part of the Research Innovation and Impact Grants Program (RIIG Program), which is jointly funded by the Cook Government’s groundbreaking Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund and the RPH Research Foundation.
The three clinician researchers, who are based at Royal Perth Hospital, are conducting research projects that will address critical health challenges.
Dr Hun Chuah was awarded $1.1 million for his research project ‘A Pathway to Preventing Leukaemia’.
More than 50,000 Australians are aware they are at risk of developing leukaemia and Dr Chuah’s research aims to revolutionise early detection and prevention of this sinister cancer by detecting the formation of abnormal blood cells in these people.
Professor Graham Hillis was awarded $1.1 million to assist in producing user-friendly software that will leverage artificially intelligent technology to automatically predict the risk of heart problems and other complications after surgery.
With more than 200 million people undergoing major non-cardiac surgery worldwide, this research could have a global impact.
Finally, Associate Professor Agnes Yong was awarded almost $1.1 million to investigate the benefits of locally-produced CAR T-cell therapy – a personalised immunotherapy treatment where a patient’s own T-cells are genetically engineered to target cancer, for the treatment of myeloma and other cancers.
The Cook Government established the FHRI Fund in 2020, which is backed by the State’s almost $1.8 billion sovereign wealth fund. This has resulted in more than $170 million being invested into more than 600 projects. An additional $250 million is being made available over the next four years to support health and medical research and innovation in Western Australia.
As stated by Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:
“Our medical researchers are conducting groundbreaking research programs that have the potential to make a huge difference to the health and wellbeing of Western Australians.
“This multi-million-dollar funding boost by the Cook Government and the RPH Research Foundation helps these mid-career and senior clinician researchers in our hospitals to translate their amazing ideas into tangible healthcare innovations.
“These important research projects could not only change the lives of Western Australians, but have the potential to deliver worldwide benefits for healthcare providers and patients.
“Congratulations to these three researchers and I extend my thanks to the FHRI Fund and the RPH Research Foundation for creating a positive environment to foster talented local clinician researchers.”
As stated by RPH Research Foundation CEO Cate Cassarchis:
“These grants are a testament to the commitment of the RPH Research Foundation to empower local clinical researchers within Royal Perth Hospital to foster breakthrough solutions that directly benefit the health of the Western Australian community.
“We are proud to stand alongside the State Government in supporting research that will enhance patient care and potentially save lives on a global scale.
“By supporting pioneering research like Dr Chuah’s work in leukaemia prevention, Professor Hillis’ AI-driven post-surgery risk assessment, and Associate Professor Yong’s advancement in CAR T-cell therapy, we are investing in the future of healthcare.”
