A major milestone for regional healthcare was marked in Charlestown this week, with the official opening of Australia’s first purpose-built regional Phase I clinical trials facility.
Research company Novatrials unveiled the new site on Wednesday 20 May, positioning Newcastle at the forefront of medical innovation outside metropolitan centres.
The facility was opened by Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison alongside Novatrials chief executive Amanda Koegelenberg, with guests given a first look inside the specialised environment designed for early-stage clinical study.
Founder Toni McCallum Pardey said the state-of-the-art premises would help Australia produce more treatments locally, rather than relying on overseas manufacturing.
“We can produce drugs in Australia instead of it coming from overseas,” she added.
Ms McCallum Pardey explained the clean-room space used positive pressure airflow systems and specially treated materials to maintain strict sterility standards required for Phase I trials.
And, the Charlestown locale is the only one of its kind in Newcastle, as well as many regional areas.
Novatrials conducts Phase I to III clinical trials and aims to improve access to cutting-edge treatments for people living in rural to remote communities.
Ms Koegelenberg said the vision for the facility had been years in the making.
“Novatrials vision is to really bring innovative therapies to the people who need it most,” she told the Newcastle Weekly.
“People within our community actually had a vision that started 15 years ago…
“This vision is being realised by three women to build what is Novatrials now.”
Ms Koegelenberg reflected on the company’s rapid growth, revealing Novatrials had expanded from fewer than 10 staff members three years ago to a team of more than 45.
She also acknowledged the contribution of clinical trial participants.
“It wouldn’t be possible without them giving us their time,” she said.
Ms Harrison said the new facility strengthened Charlestown’s growing reputation as a health and medical hub.
“All you really important people who keep this place going deliver some amazing work in providing particularly Phase I clinical trials,” she stated.
“So often research and innovative work is done in the capital cities across our country… and it is important people who live in regional and rural NSW have access to that as well.”
The launch coincided with International Clinical Trials Day, which commemorates James Lind’s pioneering clinical trial conducted in 1747.
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