Researchers Dr. Darcelle Thompson and Associate Professor Kate Gartlan will bring their expertise to CSL after receiving MTPConnect Research Exchange and Development within Industry (REDI) fellowships, funded by the Australian government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) to support the commercialization of medical research.
Dr. Thompson, of La Trobe University in Melbourne, will identify, evaluate and support investment decision making of early stage, external research opportunities in CSL’s Research External Innovation Team. She will also be part of CSL’s Global Licensing team supporting the commercialization of new product opportunities and technologies.
Associate Professor Kate Gartlan, of QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane, will collaborate with CSL to develop novel treatments to improve outcomes for blood cancer patients after stem cell transplantation. Associate Professor Gartlan will support strategy development to enhance translatability of academic research into solutions for patients.
CSL is a global biotech leader that specializes in treatments for rare and serious diseases, as well as influenza vaccines. The REDI Fellowship Program brings skilled Australian researchers, tech-transfer professionals and clinicians into industry settings to work on real-world medical research projects and gain valuable industry experience. The practical knowledge they will gain in research translation and commercialization aims to enhance the depth of experience within academic settings and help drive the translation of more Australian medical research to improve human health outcomes.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Thompson and Associate Professor Gartlan for the duration of their REDI Fellowships,” said Dr. Michael Wilson, CSL Research Vice President. “Opportunities to collaborate, share knowledge and expertise as afforded us by the REDI Fellowships benefit us all -- universities, research institutions, biotechnology companies, and most importantly, patients.”
Research translation is the process of moving innovative medical discoveries through the research pipeline to become new products for patients. Taking an innovation “from bench to bedside” is an integral component of a thriving biomedical ecosystem.
“At CSL our promise is to patients and delivering on that promise requires the translation of medical research into medicines patients require. Ground-breaking research which stays within laboratories or stalls in the transition to becoming a commercial treatment for those most in need, is not just a lost opportunity but time that patients often don’t have,” Wilson said.
The REDI Fellowship recipients were announced this week. See the full announcement.
The REDI Fellowship program is part of MTPConnect’s $32 million Researcher Exchange and Development within Industry (REDI) initiative funded by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). The REDI Fellowship program provides financial support to companies in the medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals (MTP) sector to bring researchers, clinicians and MTP professionals in-house for up to 12-months to work on priority medical research projects.
