The Importance of Clinical Trials

Australia is well regarded internationally in the area of scientific research.  Innovative discoveries that help us understand the pathogenesis of disease and possible mechanisms of successful treatments are being made by dedicated scientists across the nation.  The difficulty, however, is determining how these discoveries can successfully be used to improve medical practice? This is where clinical trials come in:

Clinical trials enable us to take a laboratory proven concept and thoroughly test and analyse the effectiveness of a treatment on patients affected by a certain condition.  Within these tightly controlled trials we are able to determine whether these new treatments are safer and more effective than current accepted medicines/methods.

The National Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian governments Therapeutic Good Administration requires that clinical trials are undertaken to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of treatments and medicines.

Importantly within Australia, clinical trials need to conform to both the Ethical Principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and to internationally accepted Good Clinical Practice Guidelines. 

Melbourne Stem Cell Centre is a strong advocate of the ethical development of stem cell research.  To this effect all treatment protocols have prior independent Human Research Ethics Committee approval and every patient has regimented following-up measures to assess outcome/effectiveness of the treatment undertaken. 

Melbourne Stem Cell Centre recognizes the importance that clinical trials play in the continued development of safe and effective treatments.  It remains committed to progressing the growing wealth of clinical knowledge in the area of regenerative medicine.

Through continued involvement in clinical trials and the translation of research into the possible best clinical practice, Melbourne Stem Cell Centre strives to be a world leader in the delivery of the best healthcare.