Transforming lives with $650,000 for a national cystic fibrosis research centre

Victoria now has Australia’s first research centre dedicated to supporting people with cystic fibrosis.

This will help 24-year-old Caitlin, who lives in Melbourne. Her condition reduces life expectancy and impacts every aspect of daily life.

There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis – but cutting-edge research can drastically improve quality of life for people like Caitlin.

That’s why we’re investing $650,000 to set up the Cystic Fibrosis Centre of Research Excellence. It will develop groundbreaking research to understand, treat and ultimately cure this devastating illness. Cystic Fibrosis Together, a national not-for-profit that supports people with the disorder, will manage the centre.

Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes mucus to become thick and sticky, which then clogs the lungs, pancreas and other organs.

Australia has one of the highest cases of cystic fibrosis in the world, impacting 3,700 Australians. An estimated one in 25 Australians, or one million people, carry the gene change that causes cystic fibrosis.

The centre aims to transform the landscape of cystic fibrosis research and make Australia a global leader in research, innovative treatments and patient care.

It also aims to deliver education and training for healthcare professionals to better support the thousands of Australians living with cystic fibrosis.

The centre will develop a national research strategy during its first 2 years to guide its longer-term research efforts. This will include treatments such as gene therapy, personalised medicine and enhanced patient care.

Victoria is home to 18 globally recognised medical research institutes and consistently attracts more than 40% of competitive national grant funding – making it the medical research capital of Australia.