Joint Media Release: South Australian Innovators lead research in health and mining

Adelaide businesses are conducting research projects into engineering immune systems to fight cancer and to decrease the environmental footprint of the mining industry.

Today Assistant Minister for Science, Jobs and Innovation, Zed Seselja, announced that research into the use of CAR-T Therapy for solid cancers, such as brain and ovarian cancer, has received $2.08 million in support from the Commonwealth Government under the fifth round of the Cooperative Research Centre Project (CRC-P) Program.

A CAR-T therapy capable of combatting solid cancers would enable patients to see remission after a single treatment and without chemotherapy or radiation

The research project is led by Carina Biotech and includes the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, Geneworks, and the Seattle Children’s Hospital. These partners have contributed $5.9 million to the project.

Also in Adelaide today, Senator for South Australia, Assistant Minister Anne Ruston, announced that the Commonwealth has committed $2.8 million for research into a lower cost and lower impact mining industry, led by Environmental Copper Recovery SA.

More than $2.8 million has been committed to this project by industry and research partners, including Thor Mining PLC, CMTE Development Limited (Mining3), Terramin Exploration, CSIRO and the University of Adelaide.

Assistant Minister Zed Seselja said the two projects announced today were great examples of the CRC-P Program bringing together researchers and industry to develop practical solutions to industry challenges.

“A more cost-effective mining industry makes Australia more competitive on the global stage, attracting new investment, boosting the economy and creating more jobs,” Assistant Minister Seselja said.

Senator for South Australia, Assistant Minister Anne Ruston, said it was exciting to see the Commonwealth support innovative Adelaide businesses.

“Patients right across the country will benefit from the innovative research into cancer therapy, led by South Australian businesses and researchers” Assistant Minister Ruston concluded.