Industry News
New Clinical Trial Centre in Melbourne to Boost Global Ophthalmic Research
In a significant stride for ophthalmic research, a new clinical trial centre, Cerulea Clinical Trials, was recently launched in Melbourne by Victorian Deputy Premier and Minister for Medical Research, the Hon Ben Carroll. The announcement coincided with World Clinical Trials Day, highlighting the importance of clinical research in advancing medical treatments.
Cerulea Clinical Trials, a specialist facility established by the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), is set to bring a wave of international clinical trials to Victoria. Backed by a $10 million investment from Breakthrough Victoria, Cerulea aims to provide early access to innovative sight-saving therapies for people suffering from vision loss and blindness. The centre is projected to deliver clinical trials to over 2,500 Victorians annually over the next decade and create 50 new jobs.
A fully owned, not-for-profit subsidiary of CERA, Cerulea Clinical Trials will focus on advanced therapeutics, including gene and cell therapies, biologics, and medical devices, to prevent and treat blindness. Collaborations with global pharmaceutical and medtech companies will be central to its operations. Research will target eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, inherited retinal diseases, and other rare genetic eye conditions. The centre is set to commence trials on gene therapies for retinitis pigmentosa and Stargardt’s disease within the next year.
Located at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in East Melbourne, Cerulea boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced eye photography and imaging suites, vision lanes, and laser treatment rooms. The centre plans to extend its reach through a network of suburban and regional eye clinics and a forthcoming tele-trials service.
Michelle Gallaher, CEO of Cerulea Clinical Trials, emphasized the centre’s role in harnessing global ophthalmic research investments to benefit Australia. "There is a growing pipeline of discovery with new medicines and devices being developed around the world and Cerulea Clinical Trials provides the perfect location to conduct these trials," she said. "Our aim is to build a specialist clinical trial centre that cements Victoria’s reputation as a world leader in preventing blindness and reducing the impact of vision loss."
Professor Keith Martin, Chair of Cerulea Clinical Trials and Managing Director of CERA, highlighted the centre’s potential to enhance local eye care. "Cerulea will support the work of lab-based scientists to develop innovative new treatments to prevent vision loss and restore sight. It will also benefit local eye care professionals who will be able to improve the quality of care they provide to their patients by providing them access to emerging treatments in clinical trials."
Minister Ben Carroll praised the initiative, stating, "We're backing life-changing research and therapy for eye disease, which is a testament to Victoria's world-class medical research sector. This will be developed locally for the benefit of Victorians and patients around the world."
Grant Dooley, CEO of Breakthrough Victoria, echoed this sentiment, noting that Cerulea's opening aligns with their goal to accelerate and commercialize world-class medical research in Victoria. "This dedicated eye clinical trials centre will not only benefit local researchers and healthcare innovators in Victoria but also provide patients with access to new eye treatments and technologies."
For more information on participating in a clinical trial at Cerulea, visit ceruleaclinicaltrials.org.au/take-part-in-research.
