New Promise for Melanoma Patients as Reseach Institute Opens

MEDIA RELEASE

22 March 2012
New Promise for Melanoma Patients as Reseach Institute Opens Doors to Encourage More Clinical Trials

The Melanoma Foundation of New Zealand has today announced the launch of the Melanoma Research Institute of New Zealand, a fully owned not-for-profit subsidiary organisation.

With the aim of attracting more melanoma research to New Zealand , the new Melanoma Research Institute will actively encourage sponsors such as research groups, pharmaceutical and biotech companies to consider New Zealand as an option for clinical trials.

Melanoma Research Institute Director, Dr Edward Watson, says it’s been a long-held goal to see more clinical trials in New Zealand because it will mean more treatment opportunities for Kiwis with advanced melanoma.

“The fact is over 300 New Zealanders die from melanoma every year and currently the treatment options for advanced melanoma are limited,” says Dr Watson.

“ New Zealand suffers from the dual problem of one of the highest incidences of melanoma in the world and a relative lack of access to clinical trials for New Zealand-based melanoma patients. Often this means patients head overseas to access such trials.

“This news is especially relevant to patients with advanced disease where in many other countries access to clinical trials would be considered part of the treatment choice,” says Dr Watson.

The Institute will connect patients, melanoma oncologists and clinical trial sponsors to establish an efficient and effective network for melanoma research.

“We will work with trial sponsors and investigators to provide information about clinical trials – such as when and where they’ll be run – which will allow patients and their doctors to determine whether a specific clinical trial is suitable for them and who to contact for consideration in a trial.”

“Recent advances in drug therapy and more insight into some of the causes of melanoma growth means clinical trials can provide another option for some Kiwis with advanced melanoma,” says Dr Watson.

“This is what the Institute will drive in New Zealand .”

ENDS

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