Australian industry has a vital role to play in the COVID-19 response, with regard to both developing novel solutions and consolidating supply chain strength in the face of this and potential future pandemic threats. Australian industry has a critical role in ensuring supply of essential therapeutics and active pharmaceutical ingredients for vaccine and drug development. (more…)
A novel Q Fever vaccine is progressing to pre-clinical trials following a $1.87 million investment from the Department of Health into DMTC’s national Medical Countermeasures (MCM) Initiative. (more…)
DMTC is harnessing expertise and deploying resources to play its role in contributing to the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A DMTC National COVID Technology Capability Development Portal has been established to support the coordination of pandemic response capability implementation. (more…)
A clinical trial has commenced to test the effectiveness of a low-dose regimen of the anti-malarial drug Chloroquine to prevent coronavirus illness.
The clinical trial is being funded by Defence and managed by the national Medical Countermeasures Initiative led by DMTC Limited. Experts with experience in clinical trials from DMTC are working alongside personnel at the trial site, the ADF Malaria and Infectious Diseases Institute.
The trial will focus on military healthcare and civilian healthcare workers at the frontline of the national response to COVID-19.
Chloroquine is a well-known drug that is already used around the world for the prevention and treatment of malaria as well as the treatment of some inflammatory and connective tissue diseases.
DMTC CEO Dr Mark Hodge urged caution in the race to provide answers to combating COVID-19.
“Clinical trials are essential to establish global benchmarks and ultimately to prove whether this drug, at these prescribed dose amounts, can prevent infection,” Dr Hodge said.
“Novel medications can take a long time to get through all the tests and approvals that are needed to confirm safety, quality and effectiveness. Re-purposing of an existing drug with a known safety profile has potential benefits in regard to expediting conclusive results.”
Because its safety profile is well understood, the trial can be undertaken rapidly to the high standards required by Australian and international pharmaceutical regulators. (more…)
