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.
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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.
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.
Affinity clinical research services
Affinity Clinical Research Services runs 2 stand-alone clinics in Perth that conduct research studies in a variety of therapeutic areas, including Phase 1, 2 and 3 trials. It also collaborates with other research unites to provide nursing and regulatory support on a regular and ad-hoc basis.
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.
Clinical Research Australia
Clinical Research Australia is a contract research organisation located in Perth, Western Australia that specialise in conducting clinical trials on natural treatments to enhance mental and physical wellbeing.
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 trains 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.
Proteomics International
Proteomics International is a pioneering medical technology company operating at the forefront of predictive diagnostics and bio-analytical services. The company specialises in the area of proteomics – the industrial scale study of the structure and function of proteins.
Proteomics International’s aim is to use its expertise in proteins to develop and commercialise diagnostic tests for chronic diseases where there is unmet medical need.
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.
The Western Australian Health Translation Network (WAHTN) manages the Clinical Trials Enabling Platform of Western Australia (CTEP-WA), which aims to enhance clinical trials and related data management in Western Australia.
CTEP-WA facilitates the pursuit of large-scale clinical trials and translational healthcare research in WA. It also offers an auditing and monitoring service for Investigator-Initiated clinical trials.
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.