Pound for pound, Australia’s track record in medical research innovation is impressive by any standard. It’s not news that translating that to commercial application is our long-standing stumbling block. Yet we know how vital it is to our economy and there’s plenty of evidence to show that we can do it.
Bringing Venetoclax to market demonstrates prowess in drug discovery and development. Thanks to the development of a vaccine for HPV, we lead the world in overcoming cervical cancer. Cochlear, the hearing implantation company turns 40 this year and is a Top 50 listed Australian company with a market capitalisation of over A$12 billion. Successful commercialisation of research discoveries is critical to ensure patients benefit from our scientific discoveries.
To examine further, a recent Global Innovation Index 2020 report ranks world economies according to their innovation capabilities. The study from Cornell University, INSEAD, and the World Intellectual Property Organisation, used around 80 indicators, grouped into innovation inputs and outputs, to capture the multi-dimensional facets of innovation.
Relative to gross domestic product (GDP), Australia performs reasonably well, ranking 23rd among the 131 economies featured. But we don’t do as well when it comes to converting research to patent applications. In innovation inputs, we rank 13th but we fall to 31st in outputs.
Some strides are being made with the $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund and at state level, there is optimism for the businesses and jobs likely to be created as a result of the $2 billion Breakthrough Victoria Fund.
Still, research translation capability eludes us. And there is significant economic and health value to be derived from innovation. If we are going to shift the dial and truly capitalise on opportunities for impact, efforts must be multifaceted and sustained over time. VCCC will soon bring on board a new Research Translation and Commercialisation Lead to help direct our efforts in this space - with a key emphasis on accelerating novel therapies to the clinic and enabling clinical trial innovation within the VCCC alliance.
VCCC Board changes have recently come into effect, following on from the appointment of Professor Andrew Roberts as WEHI’s representative Director.
This week we acknowledge and farewell Professor Robert Thomas who has played a significant role in the development and growth of the VCCC over many years. Bob was among the visionary group who advocated for an organisation such as ours to the state premier, and provided stewardship for the organisation to grow and become what it is today.
Bob is an academic surgeon who has made an exceptional contribution to the advancement of cancer treatment and care and his influence is widespread.
In addition to his clinical work, he has served on countless boards and committees in his chosen field of surgery and with cancer organisations such as the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia, Cancer Australia and the Cancer Council.
He has been a leader and advocate for cancer care at state and national levels, including his recent tenure as Chair of the Advisory Council for Cancer Australia (until end 2020), Co-Chair of the National Cancer Expert Reference Group, and of course his role as Deputy-Chair of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Board, a role he has held since 2016.
I also want to acknowledge the contributions of John Stanway to the VCCC. John was appointed as a Director and CEO of the Royal Children’s Hospital in the same month I started as Executive Director. I have welcomed his support and wisdom as we have focused on our alliance, expanding research in children’s cancer, and building strong bridges across the cancer sector.
To further acknowledge Bob and other Directors who have recently stepped down from the Board, VCCC alliance Chair Professor Linda Kristjanson AO and I are pleased to announce the appointment of the inaugural Honorary Fellows of the VCCC: Professors Doug Hilton AO, Robert Thomas OAM, and Professor Tony Burgess AC. These Honorary Fellows have made sustained contributions to the VCCC and we are delighted to have their ongoing support as ambassadors of our alliance.
We are also delighted to announce the establishment of two new VCCC alliance awards for students and early-stage researchers:
The Tony Burgess Award and Oration will be awarded to an early-stage cancer researcher in their first 10 years post PhD or equivalent where a collaborative approach to cancer research has had an impact.
The Robert Thomas Award for the Master of Cancer Sciences will be awarded to the top-performing student in each cohort of the VCCC and University of Melbourne Cancer Sciences postgraduate program.
More details will be available in relation to these awards later in the year.
I’d also like to draw your attention to an important new campaign we are running as an initiative of the Victorian COVID-19 Cancer Taskforce. Given the particularly serious impact of COVID-19 for patients with cancer – new research shows that 1 in 4 patients with cancer who contract COVID will die from the virus - the Taskforce is concerned by the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy and widespread confusion about the safety, risks, and benefits of the vaccines for this group.
As COVID-19 cases return to the community, the ‘wait and see' approach is no longer low-risk and there is a real fear among cancer experts that misinformation could be putting people with cancer at greater risk. The campaign, therefore, focuses on communicating clear, very direct, evidence-based messages to provide both assurance and motivation.
The Got Cancer? Get Vaccinated campaign will be primarily driven by social media activity. You can find out how to get involved here.
Prof Grant McArthur
Executive Director
Image: Global Innovation Index 2020 cover image
