Launch of the Collaborative Centre for Genomic Cancer Medicine

Launch of the Collaborative Centre for Genomic Cancer Medicine, 22 November 2024.

Thank you, Dean Jane Gunn.

Welcome everyone and thank you for joining us for an important milestone moment for both the University of Melbourne and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

The partnership between the University and Peter Mac is a source of strength to both. We have a long history of collaboration together and a shared vision for enhancing people’s access to the best cancer care.

Today, as our understanding of cancer and genetics improves, there is no doubt that finding our way to the best cancer care lies increasingly with genomics and precision medicine.

The new joint venture that Minister Mary-Ann Thomas will launch today represents a coming together of two like-minded institutions, one that will bring world-leading experts in cancer, genomics and precision medicine together from both organisations.

It also presents an opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships with key collaborators such as Illumina, and to forge new connections with others at the forefront of this important contemporary area for cancer research and cancer care.

All of us have been affected by cancer one way or another, if not personally then through our families and networks, so we know that bridging the gap between laboratory research and clinical application is crucial.

This new Centre will contribute to bridging that gap and building a better, more equitable healthcare system, by strengthening our ability to offer proactive prevention, diagnosis and evidence-based treatment solutions.

It is a measure of the importance of this new initiative that we have with us the State of Victoria’s Minister for Health, Health Infrastructure & Ambulance Services, Mary-Anne Thomas. Please welcome Minister Thomas!