New Zealand's clinical trial capabilities to be showcased

New Zealand's clinical trial capabilities to be showcased during Rugby World Cup

New Zealand's capabilities and expertise at testing new medical practices and products will be internationally showcased during the Rugby World Cup.

"The quality of our academic clinical leaders and healthcare infrastructure, as well as an ethnically diverse and informed population makes us an ideal location for clinical trials," says NZBIO chief executive, Dr Michelle Sullivan.

"New Zealand is a superb place to test cutting edge medical products and procedures, and we're looking forward to yet again demonstrating this excellence during the Rugby World Cup."

NZBIO is a member-based bio enterprise advocacy and communication organisation, and along with other industry associations such as Medicines New Zealand and Medical Technology Association of New Zealand is running a Clinical Trial Showcase in Auckland on September 21, 2011.

Australia plays Ireland at Eden Park on September 17, while the All Blacks square off against France on September 24 at the same venue.

"We are targeting the global top 50 therapeutic focused companies and hope to get as many senior executives responsible for clinical trials as possible to Auckland," says Sullivan.

"As well as discussing New Zealand's clinical trial capability and enjoying our hospitality, our guests will have the opportunity to further explore our competence and take in other rugby games around the country."

Clinical trials are a step in medical research that tests safety and provides information about drug treatments and medical device products. Trials also provide health intervention efficacy data around drugs, devices, diagnostics and therapy protocols.

Drug and medical device development is a key bioscience aspect promoted by NZBIO, and current estimates are that overseas' companies research in New Zealand brings in $125 million a year in direct foreign investment.

“These clinical trials also provide New Zealand patients with early access to innovative treatments in a well-controlled environment”, Medicines New Zealand's Acting Chief Executive Kevin Sheehy says. A recent Parliamentary Health Committee also summarised clinical trials as including:

• Better treatment for patients involved
• Better training for health staff.
Dr Sullivan says an additional advantage is that the trial sponsor rather than the taxpayer funds this testing, with New Zealand currently conducting clinical assessments for nine of the world's top 10 pharmaceutical companies.

"Internationally, clinicians who are involved in these trials by overseas companies update their clinical practices five years faster than those clinicians who do not take part," says Sullivan.

"This up-skilling of the medical industry benefits all New Zealanders who need medical attention."
One major internationally demonstrated benefit is that physician involvement in clinical trials makes them more likely to remain employed at the same hospital or clinic for longer and help reduce the exodus overseas of medical people.

Michelle Sullivan says a wide range of domestic and international pharmaceutical, medical technology, and biotechnology companies will be able to discuss New Zealand-based ways of improving patient health.

"We sometimes underplay the ability we have as a smart, connected nation to provide the infrastructure that those carrying out medical trials want," she says.

"The Rugby World Cup is an ideal opportunity to showcase our talents and further inform the medical world of the advantages of trialling in our back yard."

ENDS

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