Generic drug manufacturer IDT Australia has opened what is believed to be Australia’s largest clinical trials facility, CMAX Adelaide.

IDT’s CMAX facility is now Australia's most contemporary, dedicated early‐phase clinical trial facility, providing a foundation for medical science organizations to deliver world‐leading research.

Projects to be undertaken in the new facility include a second study investigating a wristwatch-like device that aims to provide an early warning system for hypoglycemic events in diabetic patients and a gene therapy study developed by a Japanese biopharmaceutical company for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease. 

This collaborative gene therapy study will be overseen by Professor Stephen Nicholls of SAHMRI, and involve expertise of clinicians from The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Royal Adelaide Hospital. Study participants will be brought to CMAX for many of the procedures to take advantage of the clinic’s capabilities.

South Australia’s Minister for Health Industries, the Hon Jack Snelling, said that each phase I trial at CMAX will inject revenue into the local economy, sometimes as much as $1 million, and involve over 50 staff, including 30 nurses and 15 lab technicians.  

“Adelaide is also an important site for phase II and phase III trials, making the city a one‐ stop‐shop for pharmaceutical companies. The South Australian Government is targeting health industry investment, an important part of this is attracting clinical trials from the United States, Europe and China,” Minister Snelling said.

CMAX trials have resulted in the advancement of medicines, used in a wide range of health care treatments from cancer treatment and pain control to skin conditions and hormone replacement therapies.

Jane Kelly, vice president, Clinical Service, CMAX, said, “In the two decades that I’ve been working with CMAX, our trials have assisted in improving the quality of life for hundreds‐of‐thousands of people. Our volunteer database has grown, as has the volume of returning volunteers. Our partners, clients and our volunteers are integral to the success of important medicine development and we thank them for their ongoing support.

“We are all excited about the start of a new era. We look forward to working with our valued clients and partners on developing innovative health care solutions that will provide life enhancing benefits to loved ones and all communities,” she said.