Our participants' contribution to medical science

In May 2020, we gave the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine to the first people ever in the world. The data from this trial contributed to the approval for the phase 2 & 3 trials and the eventual approval of this vaccine.

In Australia alone, tens of thousands of people have received the vaccine since it was approved. It provides protection against severe COVID-19. We are incredibly grateful to our participants who helped make this possible.

More information about COVID-19.

We have worked on dozens of clinical trials of cancer treatments, both in healthy volunteers & cancer patients.

• A biosimilar (a more affordable version of existing medication) that is approved to treat breast cancer in India. This provides people with access to potentially life-saving treatments that would previously have gone without.
• A treatment for melanoma and metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer
• A new administration method (as an IV) of a treatment for brain tumours. While the treatment was already available as a capsule, this caused issues with patients who had difficulty swallowing or who suffered from nausea or vomiting

More information about cancer.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease that is endemic in much of the developing world, killing hundreds of thousands of children each year. Treatments are available, but because malaria becomes resistant over time, it is important that new ones are developed.

We have worked on multiple clinical trials for Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), a not-for-profit public-private partnership with the mission of discovering and developing new antimalarial drugs.

One antimalarial treatment for which we worked on a clinical trial has been added to the World Health Organisation Model List of Essential Medicines - a list of medications that meet the most important needs in a health system. Millions of treatments have been distributed.

More information about malaria.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition that can have a debilitating impact on quality of life. It causes a rash that can be incredibly itchy, interfering with sleep, study, and work.

While there are numerous treatments for psoriasis, many people do not see a long-term improvement from them. There is an ongoing need to develop new options.

We are proud to have worked on the clinical trials for several approved biologics - medication that alters the immune system to disrupt psoriasis. These can provide relief to people who have already tried other treatments but did not see an improvement.

More information about psoriasis.

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver, and it is caused by five viruses. Chronic hepatitis can damage the liver, eventually leading to liver failure and/or liver cancer.

We have worked on clinical trials of treatments for hepatitis B & C. These have advantages over previously available treatments, like greater antiviral activity.

More information about hepatitis.

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that damages the central nervous system (the brain & spinal cord). Symptoms can worsen over time as our own immune system attacks the central nervous system.

We have worked on clinical trials of multiple treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS)

• One treatment can assist adult MS patients with mobility issues, allowing them to walk better
• Other treatments can help slow the progression of neurological decline over time

More information about multiple sclerosis.

Migraines are more than 'just' a headache. The pain can be excruciating, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitive to light and sound.

Migraines can have a debilitating effect on patients. While there are treatments that can provide relief, we are proud of our work on the first prophylactic treatment.

On average, people who receive this medication have 8 fewer migraine days each month.

More information about migraines.

Cholera causes severe diarrhoea and can be fatal if not treated properly. It kills tens of thousands of people each year in the developing world.

We participated in the phase 3 clinical trial of an oral cholera vaccine, that significantly reduces the chance of severe diarrhea.

More information about cholera.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body processes sugar. Without adequate treatment, it can be fatal.

We worked on a clinical trial of a novel treatment for type 2 diabetes. It works in a similar way to existing treatments, by decreasing glucose production and increasing insulin sensitivity.

The main advantage over similar treatments is that it only needs to be taken once per week instead of once per day, increasing patient compliance.

More information about type 2 diabetes.

We worked on several clinical trials of a fixed-dose combination of different existing hypertensive agents. These are often prescribed together, but this means that patients have to take multiple pills per day.

Having one combined pill can assist with patient compliance.

More information about high blood pressure & about high cholesterol.

Insecticide treatments for lice target the lice themselves, not the eggs, limiting their effectiveness.

We worked on a clinical trial of an improved head lice treatment that was developed based on research by the University of Melbourne.

While head lice are not typically a serious medical condition, there can be a substantial social cost. Lice infestations can cause children to miss school and the itching is incredibly unpleasant.

We have done clinical trials for life-saving medical treatments, but we are also proud of our work that can provide comfort to children with life infestations.

More information about head lice.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common condition of the vagina in women of childbearing age, with serious medical complications and increased risk of infection with sexually transmitted diseases

We worked on a clinical trial of a gel that has been shown to treat the signs and symptoms of BV.

More information about bacterial vaginosis.