Growth for Drug Trials in COVID-free WA

Wrays is delighted to see Linear Clinical Research receiving recognition in the latest edition of Business News. The Nedlands-based drug testing company is about to launch an expansion to nearly double capacity as WA attracts attention from global pharmaceutical companies.

Linear’s expansion comes at a time when an estimated 80 per cent of non-COVID drug tests have been cancelled this year, as medical centres try to minimise the number of people on their premises. Western Australia’s ability to avoid community transmission of COVID has made it a more attractive place to conduct clinical drug trials.

The article also noted that early this year, the government established an industry reference group to help develop a growth plan for the sector which includes Wrays’ Chairman Gary Cox. Gary said WA’s success in this sector was clear from the number of innovative products developed in the state. He said Australia had developed about a dozen drugs that had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Of these, five were developed in WA, by biotech companies iCeutica and Sarepta Therapeutics in partnership with local universities, while Wrays helped secure patents for all.

In addition, Wrays is advising ASX-listed Dimerix, which recently achieved a milestone when it completed successful stage two clinical trials for a product that treats diabetic kidney disease.  “These are great examples of world-class intellectual property being developed in WA and making a real impact on the world pharmaceuticals market,” Mr Cox said.

Subscribers to Business News can access the full article by Mark Beyer here.

Wrays News