In the heart of the Kolling Institute, a world-renowned research centre, a raft of clinical trials is driving the future of healthcare.
“Clinical trials are intrinsic to research,” says Professor James Elliott, Academic Director of the institute. “They help us test something so that we can better inform care for patients with various conditions who come to our hospitals for treatment.”
The Kolling Institute has a strong track record in conducting impactful clinical trials. Notably, it has been involved in running multiple trials for those with heart and kidney disease, musculoskeletal conditions and chronic pain.
Their cancer trials have made significant contributions across various tumour streams, including pancreatic, haematological, breast, and bowel cancers.
James emphasises that basic science, discovery and scientific innovation are embedded in the Kolling’s over 100-year history.
“Often, it is those innovations from our basic science laboratories that ultimately inform the mechanisms by which trials are developed.”
James adds that understanding the ways diseases work allows researchers to target trials more precisely, leading to better patient outcomes.
However, the need for trials sometimes outpaces scientific understanding.
“We can’t always wait for a full understanding of a disease,” James notes. “In some cases, we must move forward with trials to push the needle on patient care, even as we continue to explore the underlying mechanisms.”
A key advantage for the institute is its proximity to one of Australia’s largest tertiary hospitals, Royal North Shore Hospital. This connection provides access to a vast patient population, which is crucial for conducting large-scale clinical trials.
“We serve over a million patients,” says James, stressing the importance of their “trial as therapy” culture. “We want patients to expect that they may be invited to participate in a clinical trial or research study as part of their care.”
The Kolling Institute is a world leader in researching osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal conditions, cancer, neuroscience and pain, and cardiac, cardiovascular and renal disorders.