Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler has announced a government pledge of $5.7 million in funding to cancer research to support 15 grants through Cancer Australia’s Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme (PdCCRS).
The funding consists of $3.61 million from the Australian Government through Cancer Australia and $2.17 million from Cancer Australia’s Funding Partners.
This additional capital will be invested in cancer research across a diverse spectrum of cancer types, including lung, prostate, brain, colorectal, breast, ovarian and blood cancers.
Achieving world-class outcomes for patients
"The PdCCRS grants unveiled today showcase the Government's dedication to funding high-priority cancer research, aiming to enhance the well-being of all Australians impacted by cancer,” Minister Butler said.
"We are thrilled to support these pioneering research projects that hold the potential to make substantial contributions to cancer prevention, detection, treatment and care.
“We value our funding partners and their contributions, who, along with the government, recognise and champion the pivotal role of cancer research in improving patient outcomes.
“Supporting these projects aligns with the ambition of the Australian Cancer Plan - to achieve world-class cancer outcomes for all Australians - no matter who they are or where they live.”
The research types supported include translational research, which focuses on translating scientific discoveries into clinical applications, as well as health services research aimed at improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
"Cancer knows no boundaries, and neither does our determination to improve outcomes for people affected by cancer,” Cancer Australia CEO Professor Dorothy Keefe said.
"Through collaborative efforts and strategic investments in research, we can make significant strides towards a future where cancer is no longer a devastating diagnosis.
"This funding and these important partnerships underscore our commitment to accelerating progress in the field of cancer management and care across the continuum and together bringing hope to individuals and families affected by cancer."
ASX companies contributing to the fight
There are a raft of private companies contributing to cancer research in Australia, many of which are listed on the ASX.
Arovella Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:ALA) is a clinical-stage company focused on treating cancer with its proprietary iNKT cell therapy platform.
iNKT cells are at the front line of the immune system, rapidly responding to microbial invaders or cancerous cells. ALA has introduced a Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) to iNKT cells to increase their targeting action against cancer, especially blood cancers.
Importantly, the treatment is being developed as an off-the-shelf option that won’t require costly individually tailored cell therapies.
Noxopharm Ltd (ASX:NOX, OTC:NOXOF) is developing the Chroma platform for oncology, using a scaffold structure known as functionalised benzopyrans to generate a library of drug candidates with anti-cancer abilities.
The company’s core focus is on pancreatic cancer at present, although the Chroma platform has also shown promise in treating inflammation.
Race Oncology Ltd (ASX:RAC, OTC:RAONF) is advancing its flagship chemotherapy, bisantrene, into two substantial areas of unmet need: metastatic breast cancer (lead indication) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
The anthracene-based chemotherapeutic has demonstrated both anti-cancer and cardio-protective properties in clinical trials, representing an opportunity to reduce the cardiotoxic nature of chemotherapy.
Syntara Ltd (ASX:SNT) is targeting extracellular matrix dysfunction and JAK inhibitors, developing medicines for blood cancers and conditions linked to inflammation and fibrosis.
Lead candidate SNT-5505 is being evaluated in a Phase 2 multinational study targeting myelofibrosis, a blood cancer characterised by scarring (fibrosis) of the bone marrow.
The company intends to begin a further clinical study in a second haematological malignancy, myelodysplastic syndrome, shortly.