Innovatia

conducting productive basic and early trans- lational research, utilising competitively distributed (government and organisation) funds for basic research and early transla- tional research programs, with no specific focus on commercially productive research. 2. Early career training is available to research staff, rewarding success that can be meas- ured by possibility of commercialisation as well as by production of significant research publications. 3. Substantial pooled academic and govern- ment support funding is available for a limited number of translational research programs emerging from academic and industry environments, which in the opin- ion of independent external assessors have a high chance of proceeding to successful commercialisation. 4. Ongoing critical independent expert appraisal is available, to control and, as needed, increase financial support for pro- jects that have proceeded to meet defined milestones and particularly when scaling towards GMP manufacture at scale, with the ability to quickly terminate those programs unlikely to make it. The source of funding for the necessary infrastructure and early support of such a precinct will likely be from local government. 5. Further product development is located in a purpose-built research precinct adequately equipped for further research and develop- ment at GCP and GMP scale. In 2023, the conduct of much biomedical research in Queensland is recognised as of international standard, with a focus in biosci- ence reflecting the importance to Queensland of

research in infectious disease and its prevention and in applied biomedical research that facili- tates better medical practice. The 12 Universities (UQ, QUT, Griffith, James Cook, USQ, CQU, ACU, Bond, FUA, SCU, Torrens, USC) and institutes (QIMR, TRI) and their associated hospitals and colleges are contributing to the strength of Australia in medical and biomedical research as demonstrated through research publications,

research grant income, and practical changes to medical practice. A well-regulated commercial- isation pipeline, with expert commercial, regu- latory, and manufacturing advisors, will ensure the development of further ideas and products, as well as training talented researchers, and over time will develop substantial wealth and jobs for Queensland. The strength of Queensland’s current

contribution to basic and translational biomed- ical research is demonstrated by the over 50 Queensland fellows amongst the 450 fellowship of Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, of whom 12 are also among the 61 Queensland Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science and 2 are elected Fellows of the Royal Society of London. Additionally, Queensland received 14% of the over $500m of competitive funding for bio- medical research through the NHMRC and will have access to national core research facili- ties through NCRIS and translational research funding through the MRFF but to bridge the translational gap will need as a state to provide research commercialisation funding, where appropriate with industry support Queensland is now active in developing a research point of difference. Much of our state’s biomedical research, across the various insti- tutes, is focussed on infectious diseases and their control through novel vaccines and deliv- ery systems, growing out of the early practical interest in infection prevention. However, Queensland research programs in biotechnology also focus on cancer prevention and treatment, on the genetic basis of disease, and on host/microbiome interactions for pre- vention and management of chronic inflam- matory and cardiovascular disease, while sur- gical research spans a broad spectrum from 3D printed replacement bone to bio-prosthetic limbs and wearable personal health monitor- ing systems. A virtuous cycle of increased funding, edu- cational resources and talent now accelerates medical R and D in Queensland justly elevated our State to well deserved prominence.

INNOVATIA

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INNOVATIA

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