AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL RESEARCH AND INNOVATION STRATEGY 2016-2021
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL RESEARCH
AND INNOVATION STRATEGY
2016-2021
Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy 2016 – 2021 1
Table of Contents LETTER FROM THE CHAIR ii THE STRATEGY 1 Vision 1 Aim 1 Objectives 1 Strategic platforms 1 Impact measurement 1 OPPORTUNITIES AND BENEFITS 2 THE FUND 3 ALIGNMENT AND COMPLEMENTARITY 3 National Health and Medical Research Council 3 Innovation and Science 4 Other governments and non-government interests 4 International alignment 5 CHALLENGES AND CULTURE 5 The research pipeline 5 Consumer engagement and collaboration 6 Transdisciplinary and industry cooperation 6 Research in practice 6 Full cost of research 7 FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLATFORMS 7 Strategic and international horizons 7 Data and infrastructure 7 Health services and systems 8 Capacity and collaboration 9 Trials and translation 9 Commercialisation 10 MEASUREMENT, MONITORING AND EVALUATION 11 NEXT STEPS 11 Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy 2016-2021 i
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR The Hon Sussan Ley MP Minister for Health and Aged Care Dear Minister, The Australian health system must be innovative and ready to respond to future challenges, including new health technologies, communicable diseases, and caring for an ageing population with complex and chronic health problems. Research is the best way to prepare for these challenges. Research can contribute to health system safety and quality, ensure effectiveness of health interventions, and enable Australia to develop better methods of preventing and treating disease. Priority focussed research funded by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) will complement largely investigator initiated research funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). The MRFF will attract and retain excellent researchers, allow for the discovery and commercialisation of new medicines and technologies, and enable innovative treatments and cures. It will deliver improved health for all Australians, contribute to a sustainable health system, and provide significant economic benefits. I am pleased to present this document, the Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy 2016-2021 (the Strategy) and the accompanying inaugural two yearly set of Australian Medical Research and Innovation Priorities 2016-2018 (the Priorities), prepared by the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board (Advisory Board) in accordance with the Australian Medical Research Future Fund Act 2015. The Advisory Board has proposed a number of strategic research platforms to ensure that the Australian health system is ready for the future. This Strategy has been developed following extensive national consultation with consumers, researchers, healthcare providers and managers. The focus for this Strategy is on areas for investment that cut across the health system, with investment opportunities relevant to all health issues. The Strategy does not identify specific health issues as targets for investment. Rather, the existing National Health Priority Areas 1 act as a reference. It is noted that over time and with new data these priority areas may be subject to change. The National Indigenous Reform Agreement (Closing the Gap)2 also provides important context for the delivery of the Strategy and Priorities. I would personally like to thank the members of the Advisory Board for their commitment. Collectively, the Advisory Board would like to acknowledge the goodwill of the health and research community and consumers for their engagement in the consultation. We also acknowledge, with gratitude, the considerable support of Department of Health staff in the preparation of this Strategy and the accompanying Priorities. Yours sincerely, Professor Ian Frazer AC Chair, Australian Medical Research Advisory Board 1 Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing, National Health Priority Areas, [website], 2016, http://www.aihw.gov.au/national-health-priority-areas/, (accessed 13 October 2016). 2 Council of Australian Government, National Indigenous Reform Agreement (Closing the Gap), [website], http://www.federalfinancialrelations.gov.au/content/npa/health/_archive/indigenous -reform/national- agreement_sept_12.pdf, (accessed 26 October 2016). Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy 2016-2021 ii
THE STRATEGY series of strategic platforms that, if funded,
The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)
have potential for greatest impact. These
is a $20 billion vehicle for investment in
platforms will serve as a framework for the
health and medical research. It represents
two-yearly identification of the Australian
the single largest boost to research funding in
Medical Research and Innovation Priorities
Australia’s history. The net earnings from the
(the Priorities), the first of which accompany
MRFF will serve as a permanent revenue
this Strategy.
stream, which when fully capitalised, is
expected to disburse around $1 billion In accordance with the Medical Research
annually, effectively doubling the Australian Future Fund Act 2015 (the Act), the
Government’s direct investment in health and Australian Government must take into
medical research and innovation. account the Priorities that are in force at the
time of making disbursements from the
This first five-year Australian Medical
MRFF. The Advisory Board has constructed
Research and Innovation Strategy 2016-2021
the Priorities as a document that should be
(the Strategy) prepared by the Australian
read and considered in conjunction with the
Medical Research Advisory Board (Advisory
Strategy as there is alignment with the
Board) sets out the vision, aims and
strategic platforms.
objectives for the MRFF. It identifies a
Position the research sector and health
Vision system to tackle future challenges
A health system fully informed by quality Facilitate the commercialisation of great
health and medical research. Australian research
Demonstrate the value and impact of
Aim research investment
Through strategic investment, to transform Strategic platforms
health and medical research and innovation
to improve lives, build the economy and Strategic and international horizons
contribute to health system sustainability. Data and infrastructure
Health services and systems
Objectives Capacity and collaboration
Create health and economic benefits Trials and translation
from research discoveries and Commercialisation
innovations
Embed research evidence in healthcare Impact measurement
policy and in practice improvement
Drive collaboration and innovation Better patient outcomes
across the research pipeline and Beneficial change to health practices
healthcare system Evidence of increased efficiency in the
Strengthen transdisciplinary research health system
collaboration
Commercialisation of health research
Provide better access to research
outcomes
infrastructure
Maximise opportunities for research Community support for the use of and
translation by engaging with consumers outcomes from funding
Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy 2016-2021 1OPPORTUNITIES AND The practical benefits of improved health
have been supported and enabled by
BENEFITS research, which has helped Australia become
Australian researchers have an excellent a leading economy of the 21 st century.
reputation and make a difference locally and Between 1992-93 and 2004-05, the estimated
globally. Our researchers have developed expenditure on Australian research and
lifesaving discoveries, pioneered procedures, development returned a net benefit of
and been awarded Nobel Prizes for their approximately $29.5 billion.4 For every dollar
extraordinary contributions to medicine. They invested in Australian research and
continue to lead work in emerging fields of development, an average of $2.17 in health
science, and champion the adoption of new benefits is returned. 5
technologies.
An increase in wellbeing provides additional
Health and medical research spans a pipeline benefits to the economy and to society. It:
from concept to laboratory through to enhances productivity gains by avoidance
translation, clinical application and of premature mortality and morbidity;
community benefit. This research answers
reduces care, carer and aids costs; and
questions about causes, prevention,
management and the impact of disease, and reduces loss associated with government
about how best practice healthcare and policy transfers such as taxation revenue forgone
can be effectively implemented. It typically and welfare and disability payments.6
embraces a range of different disciplines, In 2014, the National Commission of Audit
occurs in universities and hospitals, medical raised concerns about the future cost of
research institutes and companies, and in the health, with expenditure on key health
community at large. It involves multiple programs projected to continue to grow faster
professions, public and private entities and than Gross Domestic Product. Not all health
consumers. expenditure is equally cost-effective.7 Cutting
funding for health without transformational
Research is an essential part of the health
change can put health outcomes at risk.
system, sometimes visible to the larger
However, research accompanied by
community on the frontline of care, but often
concerted efforts to translate findings into
operating behind the scenes to make a
practice has the potential to reduce costs and
difference in the type, quality and
improve health outcomes.
effectiveness of the care delivered.
Strategic investment into health and medical
Health and medical research results in
research can serve to minimise the upward
healthier Australians and innovations that
pressure on costs associated with new
boost national wealth. It has a measureable
treatments, an ageing population and the
impact on health system sustainability,
productivity, and health outcomes. The 2013 4
Strategic Review of Health and Medical Lateral Economics, The Economic Value of
Australia's Investment in Health and Medical
Research3 outlined a vision of better health Research: Reinforcing the Evidence for
through research and emphasised the Exceptional Returns, Port Melbourne, Research
importance of strong links between Australia, 2010.
5
biomedical, clinical, public health, and health Access Economics, Exceptional Returns: The
Value of Investing in Health R&D in Australia II,
services research. The MRFF will build on Canberra, Australian Society for Medical
this vision. Research, 2008.
6
Access Economics, Returns on NHMRC funded
Research and Development, Canberra, Australian
Society for Medical Research, 2011.
3 7
McKeon et al, Strategic Review of Health and National Commission of Audit, The Report of the
Medical Research, Canberra, Department of National Commission of Audit - Volume 1,
Health and Ageing, 2013. Canberra, Australian Government, 2014.
Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy 2016-2021 2increasing burden and complexity of disease. Agenda (NISA), and other interests including
This is where the MRFF can have an impact. state and territory governments and the
private and not-for-profit sectors.
THE FUND
The MRFF was established as an endowment National Health and Medical
fund to be preserved in perpetuity, to provide Research Council
a secure additional revenue stream for health
and medical research and innovation. Under The NHMRC is Australia’s leading body for
the Act, the independent Advisory Board is supporting health and medical research and
responsible, following consultation, for has been operating since 1937. Australia’s
developing the Strategy, which spans five excellent research reputation has been
years, and a two yearly set of Priorities for nurtured and built by NHMRC’s commitment
Government investment consideration. to sponsoring quality research administered
through nationally competitive grant
In accordance with the Act, once made, the programs.
Strategy and accompanying Priorities are
lodged with the Federal Register of Australia’s research system is mature enough
Legislative Instruments to enable the to run distinct and parallel funding streams,
documents to be tabled in Parliament. The like many other nations. The MRFF will
Health Minister is required under the neither replicate the role of, nor operate in
legislation to consider the Priorities when competition with the NHMRC. Rather, it will
putting forward proposals to Government for enable Government to provide targeted
MRFF funding distribution. funding guided by the Advisory Board-
determined Strategy and Priorities.
The Act provides flexibility on how MRFF
funds can be distributed by Government. This The relationship between the MRFF and
can occur via an approach to market, by an NHMRC will evolve through collaboration,
independent expert selection process, or by facilitated by the welcome inclusion of the
direct funding to any eligible organisation. NHMRC Chief Executive Officer on the
Alternatively, funds may flow through a Advisory Board.
corporate Commonwealth entity, or under an
There are opportunities for collaboration
agreement with states and territories.
between the MRFF and NHMRC, based on
Ultimately, decisions about disbursements
the flexibility permitted in the Act. The
are made by the Government.
Government can decide, with reference to the
The MRFF is managed by the Future Fund Strategy and the Priorities, to administer
Board of Guardians, which invests the assets disbursements using the NHMRC’s peer
of the Fund. The Board of Guardians is review processes, or collaborate on joint
required to maintain the nominal value of the targeted calls for research. The MRFF can
credits made to the MRFF in order to enable also be used to top up one or more existing
a predictable and secure ongoing flow of NHMRC programs to maximise impact.
funding for health and medical research and
Both the NHMRC and the Advisory Board are
innovation.
committed to working together to ensure
complementarity of funding is maintained
ALIGNMENT AND through collaboration, governance, and
COMPLEMENTARITY shared administration where appropriate.
It is critical that funding from the MRFF and
other sources is complementary to, and does Innovation and Science
not duplicate, the work of the National Health
The NISA recognises that the next wave of
and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the
economic prosperity for Australia depends on
emerging National Science and Innovation
Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy 2016-2021 3building domestic science and innovation There are a broad range of Australian
capabilities. Governance of the NISA is Government activities that contribute to the
facilitated by Innovation and Science research infrastructure landscape in
Australia, an independent statutory board, Australia, including the NISA and the National
with responsibility for providing strategic Collaborative Research Infrastructure
whole-of-government advice to the Strategy. This highlights the need for an
Government on all science, research and ongoing coordinated and integrated approach
innovation matters. Innovation and Science across Government, industry and health,
Australia complements the Commonwealth especially as research increasingly crosses
Science Council, which continues to advise disciplinary boundaries.
the Government on high level science
challenges facing Australia. The MRFF cannot operate in isolation from
broader research infrastructure
Innovation and Science Australia will develop considerations under the Roadmap and
a whole-of-government 15-year plan for National Collaborative Research
innovation, science and research for Infrastructure Strategy, but it also cannot fund
Government consideration at the end of all needs. As the MRFF is still maturing, the
2017, and this will likely have relevance to best immediate use of funds will be through
advancing health and medical research measures that harness existing infrastructure
capacity. It is important for the MRFF to be and human capital.
connected with the NISA to ensure
complementarity of activities, and to Other governments and
maximise opportunities for health and
non-government interests
medical research advancement.
State and territory governments have a
A key initiative under the NISA is the strong history of funding research and, as
Biomedical Translation Fund. This fund seeks health system managers, are critical to
to open up the research pipeline by investing implementing on-the-ground projects. The
in the commercialisation of the outcomes of MRFF has legislative flexibility to participate
health and medical research. The Biomedical in unique co-funding opportunities in
Translation Fund operates as a for-profit collaboration with states and territories to
co-investment venture capital fund under maximise research translation. The MRFF
which licensed fund managers secure at least could amplify investment by working closely
matched private capital to the Australian with all levels of government.
Government contribution of $250 million.
Together, the Biomedical Translation Fund High-end philanthropy is still relatively
and the MRFF provide a real opportunity to underdeveloped in Australia. This is in
address the twin ‘valleys of death’ commonly contrast to the increasing global trend
referred to along the research pipeline where exemplified by organisations such as the
the translation and commercialisation of Wellcome Trust in the United Kingdom and
research can be put in jeopardy. the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in the
United States. The Australian philanthropic
Research infrastructure is a crucial enabler of sector is currently characterised by a large
research. Under NISA a new National number of small charitable organisations that
Research Infrastructure Roadmap (the mostly raise funds for disease-specific
Roadmap) is also being developed by research. The potential for co-investment by
Australia’s Chief Scientist, which will inform the MRFF along shared national research
future consideration of national research agendas as articulated in the Priorities is
assets for public and private collaborative significant.
benefit over the next decade. Infrastructure
for health and medical science is being Leading nations support research from
considered in the Roadmap. multiple sources, including government,
Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy 2016-2021 4industry and philanthropy. There is an population health science, and discusses
opportunity through the MRFF national specific research priorities and actions to
priority setting exercise to leverage foster population health improvement.
non-government funding to maximise
strategic investment. Once harnessed, these The importance of engaging with consumers
co-funding relationships from domestic and is emphasised across all of these agendas.
international sources can address national
and regional health security and build health CHALLENGES AND
system capacity in our region. CULTURE
Health and medicine is one of Australia’s
International alignment strongest fields of research and Australia
Health and medical research is ultimately an ranks highly against a range of international
international effort. Australia is a significant benchmarks.11,12 There are, however, a
collaborator with researchers from other number of challenges facing the health and
countries, and it is important to look for medical research sector in Australia that need
strategic input and insight. Several recently to be addressed to lift and accelerate the
published international research strategies health and economic gains to be made from
complement the intention of this Strategy. research.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research The research pipeline
five-year strategic plan (2014-15 to 2018-19)8
From the consultation process to develop this
discusses the importance of achieving a
broader disciplinary mix of researchers Strategy, the Advisory Board has identified
that the level of research and development
across the health fields, and embracing the
supporting the health system is insufficient
data revolution.
and the research pipeline itself needs to be
In the United Kingdom, the Academy of strengthened.
Medical Sciences’ recent publication
The pipeline is often characterised as having
Improving the health of the public by 2040 9
two ‘valleys of death’. Typically these occur at
calls for encouraged transdisciplinary
(1) the pre-clinical phase, where a lack of
research, to develop innovative and ethical
funding inhibits the progression of discoveries
means to utilise data, and unite public health,
to early proof-of-concept, and (2) the post
health and medical research and clinical
proof-of-concept commercialisation stage;
practice for the purpose of translation and
where funds are required for advanced
universal improvement.
pre-clinical work and early phase clinical
The US Academy of Medicine recently trials. It is important that the MRFF is used to
published Advancing the Science to Improve address not only these two valleys, but to
Population Health, 10 which explores the basic reinforce the pipeline along its entire
and translational research needs for continuum. Discovery, development, and
commercialisation cannot occur without
8 appropriate workforce capacity, effective
Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Health
Research Roadmap II: Capturing Innovation to implementation and a means to evaluate the
Produce Better Health and Health Care for
11
Canadians Strategic Plan 2014-15 – 2018-19, Butler ‘Impacts of Performance-based
Ottawa, 2015. Research Funding Systems: A Review of the
9
The Academy of Medical Sciences, Improving Concerns and the Evidence’, Performance-based
the Health of the Public by 2040, London, 2016. Funding for Public Research in Tertiary Education
10
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Institutions: Workshop Proceedings, Paris, OECD
and Medicine, Advancing the Science to Improve Publishing, 2010.
12
Population Health: Proceedings of a Workshop, Australian Research Council, Excellence in
Washington, DC, National Academies Press, Research for Australia National Report 2012,
2016. Canberra, 2012.
Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy 2016-2021 5impact this work has on quality of life for Transdisciplinary and industry
consumers and patients.
cooperation
The current level of expenditure on health
Collaborations between researchers, those
and medical research is disproportionately
involved in health service delivery (public and
small when compared to the size of the
private) and industry must improve. Cultural
sector. The MRFF has the potential to meet a
and institutional issues have historically
need for investment in proof-of-concept, pre-
constrained these connections and have
clinical, clinical and health services research,
limited the flexibility of career pathways for
to facilitate translation and the pathway to
researchers with an interest in applying or
market, and to build the capacity of the sector
commercialising their research. Many
to pursue these activities. Such investment
universities have commercialisation or
would help improve the reproducibility and
translation offices that help researchers bring
reliability, and therefore the impact, of
their discoveries to market and there are
biomedical and technological research. 13
noticeable improvements in this space.
However, university rankings and income
Consumer engagement and remain largely driven by academic
collaboration excellence, including indicators such as
publications and student intake. These can
There is a limited degree of consumer
discourage efforts in translation and
engagement and collaboration across the
commercialisation.
research pipeline, which impacts on the
success of research outcome translation into Industry experience, past success in solving
clinical practice. Consumers and their industry problems, and non-academic
families are the ultimate funders, users and translation are not generally part of the
beneficiaries of health and medical research. metrics of academic excellence. The 2015
Healthcare is a significant social, economic Review of Research Policy and Funding
and political issue and there is evidence in Arrangements16 has recommended a shift
Australia that consumers are willing and (consistent with the NISA) in policy settings
wanting to be more engaged. 14 for higher education to maximise innovation
performance, including the provision of
Australians appreciate the connection
incentives to increase university (and other
between evidence-based healthcare and
research organisation) engagement and
health outcomes. However, often consumers
collaboration with business and other end
are not engaged early in research discovery
users.
work, particularly in applied research. Co-
design and creation present an opportunity to
think about the end product or therapy and its
Research in practice
user, its degree of direct benefit and There are barriers and disincentives that
adoptability. In the future, consumers will impede research within the healthcare sector
drive their own healthcare in partnership with itself. Historically, teaching, training and
clinicians, and it is therefore important to start research resources have been block funded,
working together earlier in the research with their utility neither measured nor fully
pipeline.15 appreciated. Research is frequently viewed
as an 'added cost' easily redirected towards
13
Academy of Medical Sciences, Reproducibility
and Reliability of Biomedical Research: Improving
Research Practice, London, 2015.
14
Research Australia, Australia Speaks! 2016
16
Opinion Poll, Darlinghurst, 2016. Watt et al, Report of the Review of Research
15
Topol E., , The Patient Will See You Now, New Policy and Funding Arrangements, Canberra,
York, Basic Books, 2015. Australian Government, 2015.
Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy 2016-2021 6urgent activity demands. 17 Often, ability and FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC
reputation of an institution to undertake
world-class research depend on the PLATFORMS
administration appreciating the benefits for The Advisory Board has consulted widely
patients, for staff recruitment and retention, across the sector and broader community.
and for health outcomes more broadly. Feedback received has been used to develop
Similar experience is evident in the primary six strategic platforms that underpin this
care sector, where private business models Strategy. The platforms recognise the
based on care transactions have limited challenges and cultural issues outlined, and
capacity to embed research in practice. the inherent need to maintain and support
These pressures must be addressed so that basic research into disease causation that
the potential for research translation is underpins all health research, translation and
realised. delivery.
The platforms capture and group together
Full cost of research themes and provide a framework for the
The full cost of research includes indirect Priorities to improve research capacity and
costs that cannot easily be attributed to a capabilities in the research sector. Through
single research program or grant. These targeted funding from the MRFF, these
include the cost of research administration, platforms will advance health and medical
research infrastructure, and research support research and innovation over the next five
services. Approaches to equitably funding years and help Australia meet its future
these costs across the research sector and healthcare challenges.
by different funding agencies have met with
little success. Currently, direct research costs Strategic and international
can be paid by one agency and the indirect
horizons
research costs by another, based on fragile
and administratively complex and expensive Health services in Australia can benefit from
arrangements. strategic and focused international research
efforts, with funding models that are agile in
A whole-of-government approach is needed the face of disruptive health challenges and
to address the issue of research costing to new technologies. The health problems of
ensure the research sector can continue to today and tomorrow are complex and will
thrive. MRFF funding cannot in isolation solve require large scale, globally collaborative and
the conundrum that surrounds indirect costs long-term research efforts.
and may with the injection of new funds
increase the need for a solution. The Many countries are currently investing heavily
Advisory Board, while advocating for a whole- in international consortia to address a range
of-government and research sector agreed of research issues, including the impact of
solution, must therefore abstain from new technologies such as genomics,
implementing yet another funding model. In synthetic biology, epigenetics, microbiomics,
the short term MRFF program investment the challenge of antimicrobial resistance and
should adhere to existing costing the emergence of new pathogenic viruses.
approaches. Collaboration between
Australia stands to benefit from being a
Government and funded bodies to identify an
leader rather than a follower in international
equitable solution should be prioritised.
collaborative research. The MRFF should
provide support for Australian consortia to
participate in and lead international research
17
projects focusing on major global health
McKeon et al, Strategic Review of Health and
challenges and threats, and these should be
Medical Research, Canberra, Department of
Health and Ageing, 2013. complementary to the international
Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy 2016-2021 7collaborative research activities of the Maintaining internationally competitive
NHMRC. MRFF funding can enable Australia technology and supporting talent to operate it
to reap local, regional and global economic is demanding because equipment costs
benefits and further raise Australia’s continue to increase, while their length of
reputation as a health research powerhouse time as ‘state of the art’ items contracts. The
that ‘punches above its weight’. MRFF, noting the National Research
Infrastructure Roadmap, must help build
Data and infrastructure research infrastructure capacity, specifically
as it relates to health and medicine. This can
Emerging fields such as bioinformatics, be best realised by sharing new and existing
computational biology, metagenomics,
infrastructure, and by enhancing user
artificial intelligence and new diagnostics
expertise.
depend on data assets. An integrated
national health data framework that supports
healthcare delivery, service improvement and
Health services and systems
best practice adoption is essential, and the Much of the health and medical research
MRFF should fund research that enables the conducted in Australia is product and drug
planning and implementation of this initiative. focussed, and research on health
interventions is dominated by the acute care
National datasets currently have limited utility experience. The MRFF can play a significant
without linkage with clinical software and the role in bolstering Australia’s capacity in health
use of common data dictionaries. MRFF services and systems research. For example,
funding can facilitate research on the MRFF investment activities can work with the
interoperability of existing and future datasets Medicare Benefits Schedule Review
for basic science and health services Taskforce and new policy and program
research. agendas, such as the Australian
Providing access to health data facilitates Government’s Health Care Homes trial.
evidence-based care and drives efficient use Health services and systems research seeks
of resources. This applies to clinician- more affordable models of healthcare and
captured data, surveillance information, innovative evidence-based approaches to
clinical quality registries, biobanks, and the treatment, prevention, diagnosis and the
wealth of data related to the new ‘omics’ management of disease. It combines clinical,
technologies. These datasets and the means public and population health disciplines with
to analyse them will be the basis of the future economics, and behavioural and
health system architecture and will drive new implementation science. This form of
advances in healthcare. research is often embedded in healthcare
The collection, curation, linkage and delivery to maximise translation by engaging
application of health data across the health actual clinicians.
system must be nurtured, and where possible The efficiency and cost-effectiveness of many
integrated with the digital health agenda via routinely used health interventions are not
My Health Record. Custodianship and known and/or not proven. Healthcare
governance should be clear, systems must be professionals continue to undertake activities
interoperable, privacy must be protected, and that are suspected to be of little benefit in
data assets must be made appropriately place of, or alongside, proven effective
available to drive research, industry and interventions. Research delivering new
service delivery. methods that avoid wasteful interventions,
Physical infrastructure requirements for adopt best practice and foster information
health and medical research are another key exchange will allow clinicians to benchmark
part of any capacity building exercise. with peers and lead to continuous quality
improvement.
Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy 2016-2021 8Equally important is an appreciation of the collaboration on a national scale by investing
impact of location (urban, regional and in multi-disciplinary, institute and sector
remote), culture, and socio-economics on teams. The funding itself can be collaborative
healthcare access and outcomes. Close by leveraging co-investment from other
collaboration is also required with Aboriginal governments, private and philanthropic
and Torres Strait Islander Australian health interests.
stakeholders, including the community
controlled sector, to ensure Indigenous Through collaboration, researchers can be
Australians are engaged in research process encouraged to adopt entrepreneurial
and design, and that research is utilised to approaches, test implementation science
Close the Gap. applications, and look for opportunities to
traverse academic, health service and
Adequate numbers of healthcare industry work.19
professionals with training in clinical research
are critical to ensuring meaningful service Trials and translation
and system performance and the MRFF can
Clinical trials guide the development of new
make a significant contribution in building this
drugs and devices, new models of care, and
capacity.
improved clinical practice. Australia has an
excellent reputation for delivering clinical
Capacity and collaboration trials, and significant efforts have been made
The MRFF can encourage increased by all levels of government to streamline
interchange between academia, service ethics and governance arrangements. This
delivery and industry with research practice work needs to continue, to lift Australia’s
and solutions in mind. reputation as a preferred location for clinical
trials.
Health and medical research depends largely
on workforce talent. Research training should The MRFF has an important role to play in
be integral to the education of all health facilitating non-commercial clinical trials of
service providers, and be one of the key potential significance. MRFF support of
performance indicators for the health services clinical trial networking infrastructure can also
and their senior management. Insufficient serve to enhance the efficient conduct of
attention to developing the skills of our multicentre trials, with both public and
scientists and healthcare professionals will commercial impact.
sell Australia short in the health and medical
research arena. Clinical trial networks are groups of active
clinician researchers who come together to
Researchers in more diverse, yet relevant design research questions and implement
disciplines (e.g., social sciences, behavioural multi-site and multi-sector trials that solve
sciences, economics, chemistry, engineering, real time practice problems. Networks are not
and mathematics) equally need to be offered confined geographically, and work
opportunities to participate in health sciences horizontally across the care continuum,
research to harness innovation. providing on-site training and mentoring,
multi-site recruitment and collective peer-
Collaboration across research disciplines with support. The researchers that perform clinical
the intent of innovation and productivity is trials and the networks themselves must
crucial – the same is true between sectors. 18 incorporate all relevant professions, including
The MRFF can work to enhance research general medical, nursing, and allied health.
There are a number of clinical trial networks
18
Bell et al, The Role of Science, Research and
19
Technology in Lifting Australia’s Productivity, The Academy of Medical Sciences, Improving
Australian Council of Learned Academies, Recognition of Team Science Contributions in
Melbourne, 2014. Biomedical Research Careers, London, 2016.
Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy 2016-2021 9across Australia and some have international research workforce. Under ordinary
connections. The MRFF is in a unique circumstances the MRFF should not replace
position to galvanise the potential of these industry and venture capital funding, but
networks. there is capacity for the MRFF to support the
progression of some projects to a stage more
The main way that health research is attractive for private sector investment, as per
measured as having impact is by research the MRFF aligned Biomedical Translation
findings being translated into both clinical Fund. Translational research with limited
practice and behavioural change. Recent potential for profit – but with significant public
accreditation of Advanced Health Research benefit – should also be considered for MRFF
and Translation Centres (AHRTCs) by the support.
NHMRC has identified world-class clinical
facilities ready to embrace and facilitate Aside from the challenge of attracting venture
translation. AHRTCs are leading centres of capital, many researchers lack awareness of
collaboration with a focus on practical entrepreneurial options and/or confidence in
translation, education and training, and their own abilities. Commercially-focused
outstanding healthcare. They foster research research is sometimes viewed as
across boundaries between general and incompatible with unrestricted sharing of
hospital practice, geographical regions, and research results. Researchers largely remain
health service disciplines. The NHMRC is focussed on academic metrics rather than
looking to accredit further AHRTCs and application. Although barriers are more
potentially broaden the scope into regional perceived than real, researchers may not
areas. pursue commercialisation because they
regard other aspects of research activity as
The MRFF is well placed to support these more important. Often, commercial efforts
AHRTCs to conduct targeted collaborative reduce the time available for researchers to
and transformative research. Cooperation pursue activities necessary to maintain their
between the MRFF as funder and the current academic employment. A cultural and
NHMRC as accreditor is an excellent systems change is required.
demonstration of complementary practice,
and shared purpose. To overcome barriers to research
commercialisation, the MRFF can support the
Commercialisation creation and brokering of linkages between
researchers and industry that are
The MRFF cannot overlook the
transdisciplinary in nature. A two-way
commercialisation end of the research exchange of knowledge and expertise in
pipeline, where discoveries become every
research, and its translation into clinical
day realities. Through commercialisation,
practice is needed. This would result in
consumers are given access to innovations. researchers increasingly looking to industry
Despite occasional commercial success
as a pathway for career advancement. There
stories, Australia has a relatively
is also a need to better encourage adoption
underdeveloped culture for biomedical and of the requirements for successful
biotechnology commercialisation, resulting in
commercialisation in both the academic and
limited knowledge and skills among the
business environment.
broader research community.
Challenges to the commercialisation of
research discoveries in Australia include lack
of funding for proof-of-concept and early
stage clinical research, which discourages
start-up companies and provides infertile
ground for would-be entrepreneurs within the
Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy 2016-2021 10MEASUREMENT, NEXT STEPS
MONITORING AND Through this Strategy the Advisory Board is
confident that the purpose and scope of the
EVALUATION MRFF encompasses support for not only
For the MRFF to be successful it requires an laboratory based and pre-clinical research,
architecture that can support both the but also clinical and applied research in
Advisory Board and Government into the hospitals, primary care and other health
future. The following tasks will be first year settings. This direction affords unprecedented
priorities for the MRFF Advisory Board: opportunities to address existing and
determine ways to effectively engage emerging national health priorities.
consumers and define priorities;
This Strategy and the related Priorities serve
determine a durable methodology for as a guide for the Australian Government to
future MRFF priority setting; and ensure that funding from the MRFF has a
establish a measurement framework to strong evidence base. Program level
support ongoing monitoring of return on disbursement decisions will be made through
investment. Government Budget processes and will be
MRFF investments will occur within a reported in Budget papers. The decisions on
complex landscape of modern health and funding will be accountable to Parliament in
medical research, where the pace of change biennial reports from the Health Minister,
and interactions among stakeholders make it which must describe how financial assistance
critical to measure the return on investment. provided for health and medical research and
innovation is consistent with the Strategy and
The Advisory Board has proposed the Priorities; and how the spending profile for
following initial key indicators for the MRFF: the MRFF complements and builds on
better patient outcomes; existing Australian Government funding.
beneficial change to health practices; The MRFF represents a significant
evidence of increased efficiency in the opportunity for Australia to improve the
health system; effectiveness, efficiency, quality and safety of
commercialisation of health research clinical service delivery to yield substantial
outcomes; and benefits for consumers, the community and
the health system - one from which future
community support for the use of and
generations will benefit.
outcome from funding.
A more comprehensive evaluation framework
and defined measurement methodology will
be critical to determine the difference the
MRFF has made. Such a framework will need
to be practical, durable and sensitive enough
to capture social and economic benefits as
well as health outcomes. Many of these
impacts will not be immediately evident as
MRFF investments will span the medium- to
long-term, with far-reaching and diffused
direct and indirect effects. Further
consultation with stakeholders will inform this
framework and other foundational
architecture for the MRFF.
Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy 2016-2021 11Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy 2016-2021 12
You can also read
