Clinical trials
Clinical trials play a vital role in discovering new and improved approaches to treatment, management, diagnosis and prevention of diseases.
They enable medical advances to be translated into benefits for patients and the community, and participation in clinical trials presents an opportunity to try new and potentially life-saving treatments before they’re widely available.
Western Australia is home to a vibrant clinical trial ecosystem, world-leading researchers, and dedicated clinical trial teams that are driving forward cutting-edge research in the state.
The WA Clinical Trials Roadmap sets out a bold plan to increase access to clinical trials for Western Australians, unlock the state’s potential as a destination for clinical trials, and enable the sector to export opportunities nationally and internationally.
The Roadmap identifies the strategies needed to achieve its vision. Implementation of these strategies will be coordinated by a dedicated team at the Office of Medical Research and Innovation in partnership with the sector.
Subscribe to Inspire, the Office of Medical Research and Innovation newsletter, to stay up to date.
Why WA for clinical trials?
Western Australia combines world-leading investigators, regulatory efficiency, strong healthcare infrastructure, a diverse and stable population, and unique environmental factors – making it an ideal destination for cutting-edge clinical trials.
The WA Department of Health is streamlining and improving the consistency of ethics review processes by establishing the WA Health Central Human Research Ethics Committee (Central HREC), a single HREC for the WA Health System. These changes will help to accelerate start up times for clinical trials operating within the health system.
Clinical trials are conducted across WA’s vibrant health and medical research ecosystem, including public and private health service providers, internationally recognised universities, leading medical research institutes and other organisations.
Connect with WA’s health and medical research sector
Email: DoH Clinical Trials
Child and Adolescent Health Service
Email: CAHS.clinicaltrials@health.wa.gov.au
East Metropolitan Health Service
Email: EMHS.ClinicalTrials@health.wa.gov.au
North Metropolitan Health Service
Email: NMHS.clinicaltrials@health.wa.gov.au
PathWest
Email: pathwestclinicaltrials@health.wa.gov.au
South Metropolitan Health Service
Email: SMHS.ClinicalTrialsNetwork@health.wa.gov.au
WA Country Health Service
Email: WACHSTrialCentre@health.wa.gov.au
Clinical trials and contract research organisations
Linear Clinical Research
Linear Clinical Research is an early phase clinical trials facility; the only one in Western Australia and the most advanced facility of its kind in Australia. Linear was founded by the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in 2010 and built through funds provided by the Western Australian Government.
Linear has completed more than 500 studies in diverse therapeutic areas from Healthy Volunteer studies to complex cancer trials, partnering with over 300 sponsors from 19 countries since its inception. Comprising three state-of-the-art clinical facilities, Linear can support the execution of all trial phases with a key focus on speed of delivery while maintaining commitment to safety, quality, and data integrity.
Alzheimer’s Research Australia
Together with Edith Cowan University, the Alzheimer's Research Australia conducts observations studies, whereby participants undergo memory and thinking tests as well as brain imaging scans over a long period of time.
Clinitrials
Clinitrials is an organisation that conducts clinical research in Western Australia. It partners with sponsors, investigators, sites and participants to facilitate the successful delivery of clinical trials with the goal of improving healthcare outcomes for patients.
Institute for Respiratory Health – Clinical Trials Unit
The Institute for Respiratory Health’s Clinical Trials Unit undertakes clinical trials for a variety of respiratory conditions including asthma, cystic fibrosis, COPD, alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, bronchiectasis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) as well as vaccine trials.
The institute conducts around 20 clinical trials each year for chronic respiratory conditions which are sponsored by a range of Australian and international pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
TrialsWest
Established in 2012 and located in Perth, Western Australia, TrialsWest partners with the world’s leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to help bring new medicines and vaccines to the world.
Epichem
Epichem supports clinical trials through custom Stable Isotope Labelled Standards for use in bioanalytical testing. Epichem also provides general custom synthesis & medicinal chemistry services as a Contract Research Organisation.
Contract development and manufacturing organisations
Western Australia hosts a range of leading-edge specialist manufacturers that can support clinical trials. Services include:
BioCina
BioCina provide oral and sterile liquid pharmaceuticals contract manufacturing services from first in human studies to commercial manufacturing at its state-of-the-art GMP facility in Bentley, Perth. Coupled with their broader Australian capability in manufacturing biologics, BioCina has end to end expertise that includes small-batch clinical manufacturing and orphan drug production in a fully automated system right through to full scale manufacturing and advanced analytical studies.
RNA Innovation Foundry
The RNA Innovation Foundry (RIF) offers high-throughput, small-scale manufacturing of research-grade mRNA for pre-clinical research. Its core capabilities include AI-driven mRNA sequence design and optimisation, DNA template design, mRNA synthesis, purification and analysis, and formulation of mRNA with various lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). The facility is supported by advanced automation, precise synthesis and purification platforms, sequencing, and robust quality control systems. It facilitates collaborative and service-based projects for researchers and industry, providing access to specialised RNA manufacturing expertise and a national network for larger or more complex programmes.
Analytical services
Proteomics
Proteomics International provides bioanalytical and biomarker analysis services to support pre-clinical and clinical studies, leveraging deep expertise in mass spectrometry–based technologies. Their ISO 17025–accredited laboratory in Perth, Western Australia delivers high-quality pharmacokinetic (PK), biomarker discovery, and targeted protein quantification services. They work with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic partners to generate robust data for drug development and translational research. Their expertise spans assay development, validation, and analysis of biological samples to support regulatory-grade studies.
The Clinical Trials Enabling Platform of Western Australia (CTEP-WA), in partnership with the Western Australian Health Translation Network (WAHTN), provides methodological support to investigators across WA regardless of institution or discipline.
CTEP-WA offers support across the full trial lifecycle, from trial design and methodology through to clinical trial conduct and coordination, data management and linkage, biostatistical support, and auditing and monitoring services. Training opportunities and practical resources are also available to support clinical trials teams.
CTEP-WA is committed to working in partnership with others to help build a thriving and collaborative clinical trials ecosystem in WA.
Taking part in a clinical trial can be an opportunity to benefit from cutting-edge treatments before they are more widely available, and to help advance scientific knowledge that paves the way towards better treatments for people in the future.
If you’re interested in taking part in a clinical trial, there is information about current trials, what is involved, the potential time commitment required, as well as the possible risks and benefits available on the Australian Clinical Trials website.
Clinical trials are conducted across WA, amongst our vibrant health and medical research ecosystem.
A free, online training platform that hosts a suite of evidence-based, interactive clinical trials education opportunities suitable for a range of learning needs available to all staff involved in clinical trials.
- WA Health Research Governance Service (RGS)
A centralised IT system that supports the research governance framework for all human research conducted in WA health or involving WA health participants, their tissue or data. The RGS includes information and resources, including document templates and legal agreements to support researchers. The RGS is used to process all ethics and governance applications involving WA public health organisations. - NHMRC Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018
- NHMRC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2023
- World Medical Association (WMA) Declaration of Helsinki - Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Participants
- NHMRC Ethical guidelines for research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research (The AIATSIS Code)
- Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) Australian Clinical Trial Handbook
- Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care National Clinical Trials Governance Framework
- Australian Teletrial Program
- Australian Clinical Trials Alliance (ACTA) – Better Health Through Best Evidence
- WAHTN - RETProgram
- Clinical Trials Enabling Platform (CTEP-WA)
- CT:IQ Clinical Trials: Thinking Smarter
We are working to improve this page. If you would like to suggest additional resources or links for inclusion, please email medresearchstrategy@health.wa.gov.au.