Development Of A Safe Live Genetically Attenuated Blood Stage Malaria Vaccine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$822,191.00
Summary
Malaria presents an enormous global health problem, and also has a significant impact on social and economic development in countries where the disease is endemic. Our project will produce a live genetically-modified vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes the form of malaria mostly deadly to humans. Our development plan will include the first ever clinical trials of a malaria vaccine of this kind and will look at vaccine safety and effectiveness.
Cachexia is a major side effect of cancer, resulting in significant muscle wasting, fat loss and organ failure. Up to 80% of cancer patients suffer and 25% succumb to this condition. This significantly affects the treatment regimens of cancer patients and affects their quality of life. We have developed monoclonal antibodies that block and reverse cachexia in preclinical mouse cancer models. Our aims are to humanise the antibody and manufacture it for the first clinical trial in humans.
Targeting Ribosomal RNA Transcription With CX-5461 As A New Approach For Treating Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$864,067.00
Summary
We have made the fundamental discovery that ribosomal gene transcription is not simply a 'house keeping' process in cancer cells but is required to maintain malignant cell viability. Strikingly inhibition of ribosomal gene transcription using a novel small molecule inhibitor, CX-5461, shows profound selectivity for malignant cells over normal cells. This proposal will translate these observations into 'first in man' phase 1 clinical trials of CX-5461 for the treatment of blood cancers.
Development Of An Extended Release Oral Formulation Of Milrinone For Patients With Advanced Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,083.00
Summary
Heart failure is a debilitating condition associated with frequent hospitalization. Milrinone is an effective intravenous drug used to treat acute deteriorations. Previously, oral milrinone failed because of the lack of availability of appropriate formulations. We have developed an oral formulation which provides stable release of the medication. This application will evaluate the effectiveness of the drug in man and provide the documentation to take the project forward for partnership with indu ....Heart failure is a debilitating condition associated with frequent hospitalization. Milrinone is an effective intravenous drug used to treat acute deteriorations. Previously, oral milrinone failed because of the lack of availability of appropriate formulations. We have developed an oral formulation which provides stable release of the medication. This application will evaluate the effectiveness of the drug in man and provide the documentation to take the project forward for partnership with industry as a means to clinical translation.Read moreRead less
Skin Patch Technology For Fast And Simple Monitoring Of Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$826,064.00
Summary
Micropatch kits will be developed to capture and detect disease-related biomarkers from the skin for diagnostic monitoring, without the need for needles, trained practitioners or expensive laboratory infrastructure
Breathe Well: Improving Cancer Imaging And Targeted Radiotherapy Using Audiovisual Biofeedback
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$606,847.00
Summary
Irregular breathing causes anatomical errors in medical images and consequently cancer targeting accuracy, resulting in poorer clinical outcomes and increased health care costs. We have developed and patented the Breathe Well Audio Visual (AV) biofeedback device, to improve breathing regularity. Our goal is to gather critical scientific information and reach commercial proof-of-concept objectives that will allow us to attract investment to establish a viable medical device enterprise.
Electrical Stimulation Of The Brain For Restoring Vision
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,555,864.00
Summary
This project is focused on the clinical demonstration of the Monash Vision Group’s ‘Gennaris’ cortical prosthesis or bionic eye. The clinical work will demonstrate the use of the Gennaris as a viable medical device that provides useful vision to people with adult-onset profound vision loss in their everyday living environments. This will place MVG in a position to attract funding from investors or commercial partners to perform multi-site clinical trials and obtain regulatory approval.
Development Of An Effective Therapy For Cheyne-Stokes Breathing In Heart Failure.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$604,030.00
Summary
During sleep, patients with heart failure often exhibit a cyclic pattern of breathing in which a period of regular breathing alternates with a period when breathing ceases. This breathing pattern is associated with increased mortality and reduced quality of life but to date no effective treatment for it exists. We have developed a method to calculate an exact level of carbon dioxide to stabilise breathing in each individual, offering the prospect of a better night’s sleep and a longer life.