Posted: 27 November 2024
Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) has awarded a $10 million grant to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
The major grant will support Peter Mac’s work with GE HealthCare’s next generation total body PET/CT technology*, providing a transformative boost to cancer research.
Experts at Peter Mac will use this technology to detect cancer earlier, personalise cancer treatment and accelerate drug development.
The $10 million grant is one of two announced by ACRF, with a further $3 million committed to establish the ACRF Centre for Cellular Imaging of Precision Immunotherapy, to be led by Professors Belinda Parker and Ilia Voskoboinik.
Professor Michael Hofman will lead the ACRF Centre of Advanced Imaging-Guided Cancer Therapeutics, bringing together an unrivalled multidisciplinary team.
“With ACRF’s support, Peter Mac will work with GE HealthCare to harness the power of cutting-edge imaging technology and research, shaping the future of cancer care in a way that promises to transform cancer treatments,” he said.
“We’re poised to significantly improve patient outcomes and shape the future of cancer care worldwide.”
ACRF CEO Kerry Strydom acknowledged collaborators including National Imaging Facility, which will contribute $1.75 million towards the project for capital and operating costs, Cancer Institute NSW, which has committed $100,000 per year for five years, and Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation which is contributing $100,000 per year for three years.
“For the last 40 years, ACRF has backed the best and boldest research into all types of cancer. Our grants program is focused on initiating transformative cancer research projects such as these and we keenly anticipate significant improvements in cancer care,” she said.
Globally, cases of cancer are expected to increase by 77% by 2050, making it crucial to invest further in research and technology.
Jean-Luc Procaccini, President and CEO, Molecular Imaging and Computed Tomography, GE HealthCare said the new total body PET/CT technology was a major advancement for patients.
“Innovation requires close collaboration, and we are thrilled to do that with Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre on our total body PET/CT technology,” he said.
“Already, the institution’s research has revolutionised cancer imaging and pioneered theranostics. Now, we aim to usher in a new era of scientific discovery and research together with a total body PET/CT technology for the future, unlocking its potential to help clinicians further improve patient outcomes.”
Professor Hofman and grant co-lead Professor Linda Mileshkin accepted the ACRF grant at a formal ceremony at Government House in Canberra.
It was presented by Governor General Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC and ACRF Board of Trustees Chair Mr Tom Dery AO.
*Technology in development. Not for sale. Not cleared or approved by the U.S. FDA or any other global regulator for commercial availability.
