Published Wednesday, 29 November, 2006 at 01:15 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
THE NEW FACE OF QUEENSLAND’S FLOURISHING BIOTECH INDUSTRY
Minister for State Development John Mickel today opened the office that will serve as the new face of Queensland’s flourishing biotechnology industry.
Opening the office of the Queensland Clinical Trials Network (QCTN) in Toowong, Mr Mickel said the organisation was established to promote and market Queensland’s clinical trials service providers nationally and internationally.
It also provides a single point of contact for international and Australian organisations wanting to conduct clinical trials in Queensland.
“Australia is regarded as the number one destination to conduct clinical trials when compared to the US, UK, Germany, Japan, Singapore and India,” Mr Mickel said.
“Thanks to ongoing support from the State Government, Queensland has the capability to conduct safe, ethical and timely clinical trials to an exceptional standard, and at a number of sites. This office physically enforces that message both here and overseas.
“It’s a visible, tangible reminder that we mean business – that, backed by the high quality of research here, the outstanding reputation of our clinicians and our strong regulatory environment, Queensland is the perfect place to conduct those clinical trials.”
The Queensland Government has allocated $5 million over four years under the Smart State Strategy for the establishment and operation of the QCTN.
Mr Mickel said initiatives like QCTN help Australian biotech companies to fast track their new drug leads to clinical trials and thereby provide a greater return on their research.
“The QCTN is already well on its way to building a new industry for Queensland,” he said.
“Since becoming operational in July last year, the network has already facilitated the placement of six clinical trials in Queensland, worth more than $1 million to the State’s economy, and it aims to assist the Smart State’s clinical trials industry to generate $60 million a year in clinical trials revenue by 2010.”
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
Opening the office of the Queensland Clinical Trials Network (QCTN) in Toowong, Mr Mickel said the organisation was established to promote and market Queensland’s clinical trials service providers nationally and internationally.
It also provides a single point of contact for international and Australian organisations wanting to conduct clinical trials in Queensland.
“Australia is regarded as the number one destination to conduct clinical trials when compared to the US, UK, Germany, Japan, Singapore and India,” Mr Mickel said.
“Thanks to ongoing support from the State Government, Queensland has the capability to conduct safe, ethical and timely clinical trials to an exceptional standard, and at a number of sites. This office physically enforces that message both here and overseas.
“It’s a visible, tangible reminder that we mean business – that, backed by the high quality of research here, the outstanding reputation of our clinicians and our strong regulatory environment, Queensland is the perfect place to conduct those clinical trials.”
The Queensland Government has allocated $5 million over four years under the Smart State Strategy for the establishment and operation of the QCTN.
Mr Mickel said initiatives like QCTN help Australian biotech companies to fast track their new drug leads to clinical trials and thereby provide a greater return on their research.
“The QCTN is already well on its way to building a new industry for Queensland,” he said.
“Since becoming operational in July last year, the network has already facilitated the placement of six clinical trials in Queensland, worth more than $1 million to the State’s economy, and it aims to assist the Smart State’s clinical trials industry to generate $60 million a year in clinical trials revenue by 2010.”
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.