March 2004

$3.3 million projects links health research data

Vital health research data compiled by Melbourne’s top public hospitals and research institutes will be linked for the first time under a $3.3 million project.

The project will initially focus on compiling data on colorectal cancer—responsible for 4,718 deaths in Australia in 2000.

Minister for Innovation John Brumby said the Molecular Medicine Informatics Model (MMIM) project had received $1.66 million in funding from the Government’s Science, Technology and Innovation Initiative.

‘Using leading edge computer technology, the project will see the hospitals and institutes link genetic and clinical research information which will ultimately lead to better treatments for diseases such as cancer, diabetes and epilepsy.

‘Short-term benefits will include the capacity to select patients for clinical trials based on their genetic profile, increasing Melbourne’s attraction for pharmaceutical drug trials.

‘There is currently no integration of the enormous amount of genetic research data generated by our health institutes and the clinical information gathered from approved research by our public hospitals.

‘This is one of the first projects of its kind in the world with the potential to deliver quicker and more cost-effective research results, leading to faster benefits for patients.

‘It will see the development of leading edge computer technology and data management processes to overcome the many challenges of integrating research data stored by our hospitals and research institutes.’

Based in Parkville as part of Bio21, the project will be led by Melbourne Health and will involve Cancer Trials Australia, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Austin Health, Western Health, the Alfred Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and Melbourne University.

Minister for Health Bronwyn Pike said the project would have significant health benefits and the initial focus on cancer complemented the Government’s Fighting Cancer policy, which had received $92.5 million over four years.

‘Fighting Cancer is about helping patients get the best clinical treatment, improve coordination of service delivery and research and it recognises the need for support for patients and their families,’ Ms Pike said.

‘We are committed to enhancing prevention programs, upgrading and expanding current treatment services and improving the co-ordination of care.’

Mr Brumby said the project was part of the Government’s commitment to strengthening Victoria’s reputation as a world-leading medical research hub.

‘The Government has committed an extra $35 million specifically to boost the capacity of Victoria’s medical research institutes to enable world-leading breakthroughs in areas such as cancer treatment.’

Bio21 is a $400 million-plus major biotech research, commercialisation and education cluster launched by Premier Steve Bracks in June 2000.