New research consortium on a mission to fight childhood cancer

Victoria is leading the fight with paediatric cancer, with a world-class research consortium now one step closer to making lifesaving breakthroughs to fight, treat and cure childhood cancer.

A newly-formed company has been established to lead on ground-breaking research into paediatric cancer – the Victorian Paediatric Cancer Consortium Limited.

Led by inaugural CEO Dr Udani Reets and chaired by Professor Brendan Murphy, this newly-formed company will work to establish Victoria as a global leader in paediatric cancer research.

The establishment of the consortium is made possible by a $35 million commitment from the Victorian Government and $10 million from the Children’s Cancer Foundation.

Since 2021, the consortium has brought together the best and brightest minds from leading children’s hospitals, research institutes and universities to undertake cutting-edge research to tackle childhood cancer.

VPCC Ltd will develop groundbreaking paediatric cancer therapies, pharmacogenomics, radiogenomics and clinical trial programs, as well as a childhood cancer survivorship program, bioresource research platform and paediatric cancer physician researcher training – to give more children the chance to grow up healthy and cancer-free.

These partners include the Hudson Institute, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, the Monash Children’s Hospital, the Royal Children’s Hospital, the University of Melbourne, the Monash University, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and the Children’s Cancer Foundation.

VPCC Ltd will build on this work to develop groundbreaking paediatric cancer therapies, treatments and clinical trial programs. It will also deliver a childhood cancer survivorship program and paediatric cancer physician training – giving more children the chance to grow up healthy and cancer-free.

As part of the Victorian Government investment, $2.2 million has been provided to ensure the Consortium’s initial program of work is well underway, including the collection of valuable biological specimens, known as ‘biobanking,’ at the Monash Children’s and Royal Children’s Hospitals.

The Next Generation Precision Medicine Program is also taking place at the Hudson Institute, using cutting-edge artificial intelligence to discover new treatments for paediatric cancer.

Read more about VPCC Ltd at Victorian Paediatric Cancer Consortium