Jobs boost in UniSC expansion

Clinical trials are to be scaled up at Morayfield Health Hub, creating more jobs, as part of a wider $11.5 million expansion by the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC).

With support from the State Government, UniSC is increasing its clinical footprint at Morayfield and building a new 24-bed facility at Maroochydore Private Hospital.

Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett, expects more than 100 new jobs to be created in five years and greater opportunities for researchers, students and patients.

“UniSC’s Clinical Trials has expertise in trials across a range of chronic diseases, vaccines, cancer treatment, healthy volunteers and medical devices across all phases of development,” Professor Bartlett said.

“In deciding which trials to lead, we place strong consideration on community interest, so if we see benefits from an early phase trial, it’s one we will aim to secure for our community.

“We accept a lot of trials for potential medications and treatments to address mental health, coeliac disease, dementia, metabolic diseases like diabetes, eye health, osteoarthritis, and various trials for neurological conditions, which our communities have shown us that they care about immensely.

“It’s also fitting that we expand our clinical trial capacity in the City of Moreton Bay as we expand our newest campus there too.

“Moreton Bay has Australia’s fastest growing population, expected to reach 690,000 by 2041.”

UniSC Clinical Trials Director Lucas Litewka added: “Community involvement is key to the network’s success.

“The network has delivered more than 120 new clinical trials and recruited over 4000 volunteers from the community, supporting the commercialisation of innovative medicines, medical devices and other therapies.”

The project has been funded under the $415.5 million Industry Partnership Program, part of the Queensland Jobs Fund to boost the State’s industry footprint, create jobs and strengthen the economy and local supply chains.