The Office of Medical Research and Innovation (OMRI) supports health and medical research and innovation in Western Australia through the implementation of whole-of-sector priority programs designed to grow the ecosystem. Staff in OMRI also provide the secretariat function for the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund, the State’s $1.8 billion sovereign wealth fund. This presentation will provide an overview of OMRI’s priority programs and funding opportunities which support local inventors, researchers and clinician scientists as we work together to prioritise, support and grow health and medical research and innovation in Western Australia.
The Australian Teletrial Program (ATP) is improving regional, rural and remote patient access to clinical trials involving treatments, technologies and new models of care. ATP is supported by the Commonwealth Government with $75.3 Million over 5 years. Each participating state and territory has established a Regional Clinical Trial Coordinating Centre to help support clinicians who are keen to offer clinical trial treatment to their country patients. In WA, a comprehensive digital strategy has been imagined to digitally transform the conduct of clinical trials, virtually linking country clinicians with specialist investigators to support patients with access to the latest treatments. The success of the ATP is evident, with over 1,000 country patients participating in 66 new Teletrials, 29% of which are commercially sponsored.