Deconstructing DTCA: Towards A Differentiated Policy Response To Direct-to-Consumer Advertising In Australia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$190,760.00
Summary
Spending on prescription pharmaceuticals is the fastest growing part of the health budget. In recent years attention has shifted to the impact of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) on consumer demand and drug costs. Although DTCA is prohibited in Australia, it is clear that different types of DTCA are occurring. This study will examine the nature and range of DTCA, review the benefits and harms of DTCA, and identify the perspectives of major stakeholders regarding DTCA. The study will culmina ....Spending on prescription pharmaceuticals is the fastest growing part of the health budget. In recent years attention has shifted to the impact of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) on consumer demand and drug costs. Although DTCA is prohibited in Australia, it is clear that different types of DTCA are occurring. This study will examine the nature and range of DTCA, review the benefits and harms of DTCA, and identify the perspectives of major stakeholders regarding DTCA. The study will culminate in a national workshop which will develop a differentiated set of recommendations for responding to different types and modes of DTCA. This is likely to lead to better health policy and to resources that may assist consumers and health professionals deal with DTCA.Read moreRead less
Perturbation of the extracellular architecture to promote the absorption and lymphatic transport of biological macromolecules. Macromolecules therapeutics such as proteins, antibodies or polymer conjugates pose a number of pharmaceutical challenges. Where the dose is high, drainage of that dose from a subcutaneous injection site into the circulation, poses a particular problem. Here the project aims to explore how recombinant hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down a structural component (hya ....Perturbation of the extracellular architecture to promote the absorption and lymphatic transport of biological macromolecules. Macromolecules therapeutics such as proteins, antibodies or polymer conjugates pose a number of pharmaceutical challenges. Where the dose is high, drainage of that dose from a subcutaneous injection site into the circulation, poses a particular problem. Here the project aims to explore how recombinant hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down a structural component (hyaluronan) of the interstitum, can be used promote absorption into the draining blood and lymph capillaries. The project aims to also explore the downstream effects of hyaluronidase on lymph nodes and evaluate whether the enzyme is able to temporarily disrupt the lymph node structure and promote drug penetration into the lymph node mass. This has significant potential for improved drug targeting.Read moreRead less
Understanding the Cellular Pathways of Nuclear Receptor Activation. The success of drug treatment depends critically on specificity, i.e., stimulation of a therapeutic response at a target site, and avoidance of activity at other (potentially toxic) locations. This project aims to explore how drug interactions with binding proteins in the cytosol can induce nuclear transport and tissue specific activation of nuclear receptors - a major drug target. The project intends to employ molecular, struct ....Understanding the Cellular Pathways of Nuclear Receptor Activation. The success of drug treatment depends critically on specificity, i.e., stimulation of a therapeutic response at a target site, and avoidance of activity at other (potentially toxic) locations. This project aims to explore how drug interactions with binding proteins in the cytosol can induce nuclear transport and tissue specific activation of nuclear receptors - a major drug target. The project intends to employ molecular, structural and cell biology approaches to map drug-binding protein-receptor interactions and to determine how the structure of these complexes dictates receptor activation. The data could provide a roadmap to design drugs that interact with the right protein in the right tissue and in doing so dramatically enhance drug specificity.Read moreRead less
An Investigation Of The Relationship Between The Pharmaceutical Industry, Medical Profession And Medical Practitioners
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$186,449.00
Summary
In recent years there has been a rapid expansion in the number and range of interactions between the pharmaceutical industry and the medical profession. While this has the potential to advance research, education and health care, there are risks that such interactions may inappropriately serve commercial objectives and ultimately compromise the best interests of patients and society in general. Most major medical and pharmaceutical organisations have released guidelines of policy statements on t ....In recent years there has been a rapid expansion in the number and range of interactions between the pharmaceutical industry and the medical profession. While this has the potential to advance research, education and health care, there are risks that such interactions may inappropriately serve commercial objectives and ultimately compromise the best interests of patients and society in general. Most major medical and pharmaceutical organisations have released guidelines of policy statements on the relationship between the medical profession and the pharmaceutical industry. To date most debate has taken the form of personal observations or professional opinion , and there has been little objective research into medical industry interactions. This project aims to examine the relationship between the pharmaceutical industry, the medical profession and the medical practitioners. Specifically, the aim of this project is to establish whether this relationship as it currently exists, and as stated in guidelines from professional bodies, is appropriate in terms of justifiable ethical standards, empirical research and social perspectives. The results of this research will enable assessment of current guidelines and the development of further guidelines and regular process where appropriate.Read moreRead less
Synergising nanoemulsion and lipid biomimetic design for advanced delivery. This project aims to identify the critical design characteristics of lipid formulations of lipid-modified probes or drugs (lipid biomimetics) that together promote integration into lipid absorption pathways and target the lymphatic system that drains the small intestine. This has significant potential since the intestinal lymphatic system is a key immune tissue, the site of immune response to autoantigens and antigens de ....Synergising nanoemulsion and lipid biomimetic design for advanced delivery. This project aims to identify the critical design characteristics of lipid formulations of lipid-modified probes or drugs (lipid biomimetics) that together promote integration into lipid absorption pathways and target the lymphatic system that drains the small intestine. This has significant potential since the intestinal lymphatic system is a key immune tissue, the site of immune response to autoantigens and antigens derived from food and the microbiome. The project will deliver a design roadmap of the required characteristics for lymphatic targeting, and in particular, will identify novel lipid nanoemulsions that work synergistically with lipid biomimetics to enhance lymphatic imaging and delivery applications.Read moreRead less
Uncertainty and the success of innovation. This proposal outlines an empirically-oriented project, with strong conceptual foundations, that will add significantly to our understanding of the barriers to successful commercial exploitation of innovations in Australia. There is currently no other applied work in this area in Australia of this scope and empirical content. Our approach adopts a rigorous approach to the measurement of innovation and performance, and looks at the effect of uncertainty ....Uncertainty and the success of innovation. This proposal outlines an empirically-oriented project, with strong conceptual foundations, that will add significantly to our understanding of the barriers to successful commercial exploitation of innovations in Australia. There is currently no other applied work in this area in Australia of this scope and empirical content. Our approach adopts a rigorous approach to the measurement of innovation and performance, and looks at the effect of uncertainty on the relationship between the two. The results of this exercise will translate into both government and corporate policy.Read moreRead less
Cultured Pearl Classification Equipment Development
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$89,052.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. To develop and build for the Australian pearl industry a flexible conveniently operable and consistent pearl quality classifying instruments
Biomedical Investigations Of Pharmacology And Pathology For Disease Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$863,413.00
Summary
I am an NHMRC SPRF & Director of the Molecular Pharmacology & Pathology Program consisting of 34 researchers. The breadth of our studies is diverse & continues to expand. Excitingly, we have recently obtained commercialisation support to develop our anti-tumour drug, DpC. My vision for the next 5 yrs is to direct development of these agents together with investigations of basic mechanism. These studies will be done with a team of outstanding researchers I am mentoring and an established group of ....I am an NHMRC SPRF & Director of the Molecular Pharmacology & Pathology Program consisting of 34 researchers. The breadth of our studies is diverse & continues to expand. Excitingly, we have recently obtained commercialisation support to develop our anti-tumour drug, DpC. My vision for the next 5 yrs is to direct development of these agents together with investigations of basic mechanism. These studies will be done with a team of outstanding researchers I am mentoring and an established group of experienced collaborators.Read moreRead less
The Market for Technology in Australia. Over the last 5 years, formalised markets for technology have accelerated in the US. However, there is no recognised formal market in Australia. Results from our primary data collection and analysis will highlight whether deficiencies in the market for technology are creating obstacles for the commercialisation of Australian technology. This is a particularly important issue for Australia given our relative isolation arising from geographical distance and ....The Market for Technology in Australia. Over the last 5 years, formalised markets for technology have accelerated in the US. However, there is no recognised formal market in Australia. Results from our primary data collection and analysis will highlight whether deficiencies in the market for technology are creating obstacles for the commercialisation of Australian technology. This is a particularly important issue for Australia given our relative isolation arising from geographical distance and lack of attachment to a major trading bloc such as the EU or NAFTA.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120103084
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Targeting bacterial superbugs: novel approaches for optimisation of antibiotic combinations and resistance prevention. This project will elucidate the mechanistic basis to optimally combine available beta-lactam antibiotics to prevent resistance of gram-negative 'superbugs'. The interdisciplinary project will substantially contribute to solving the global crisis due to multidrug-resistant bacteria and inform the design of effective new antibiotics.