New Early Phase Cancer Clinical Trials Unit Opens at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney
Key Insights
The NORTH STAR VNP Cancer Trials Centre (search) early phase unit has officially opened at Royal North Shore Hospital, backed by a transformative $20 million philanthropic gift from the Poche family.
Initial trials are underway for patients with lung and brain cancer (search), with plans to expand to a broader range of cancers, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for care.
The facility partners with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (search) in New York on international clinical trials, giving Australian patients access to breakthrough medications and generating crucial multi-centre data.
A dedicated early phase clinical trials unit has officially opened at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, marking a significant expansion in access to cutting-edge cancer therapies for patients across New South Wales. The unit, part of the NORTH STAR VNP Cancer Trials Centre (search), is designed to meet the specific needs of patients and their carers while supporting the rigorous requirements of early phase clinical research.
The facility was made possible through a transformative $20 million gift from the late Kay Van Norton Poche AO and her husband Greg Poche AO. In a parallel philanthropic commitment, the couple also donated $20 million to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (search) in New York, reflecting their vision of offering life-changing new treatments to a larger share of the community. NSW Health (search) provided the ward space and infrastructure for the unit.
International Collaboration Driving Trial Access
Investigators from Royal North Shore Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (search) are partnering on international clinical trials, enabling patients in Australia to access the latest breakthrough medications while simultaneously generating crucial multi-centre data for the trials. This trans-Pacific collaboration positions the Sydney facility within a global research network and strengthens the evidence base for emerging cancer therapies.
Initial clinical trials are already underway, providing opportunities for patients with lung and brain cancer (search) to receive specialised treatment close to home. Further trials are expected to open for a broader range of cancers in the coming period.
Addressing Geographic Barriers to Care
A central aim of the new unit is to reduce the burden of travel for patients who would otherwise need to journey long distances — or even overseas — to access early phase trials. NSW Health (search) Deputy Secretary Clinical Innovation and Research Dr Jean-Frédéric Levesque emphasised this point: "This early phase clinical trials unit is an important step towards broadening access for patients and removing the need to travel long distances for care."
The facility is also expected to foster partnerships with hospitals in rural and regional communities, extending the reach of clinical research beyond metropolitan Sydney. Minister for Medical Research David Harris noted that "this specialised facility is also expected to help patients across New South Wales, with a focus on fostering partnerships with hospitals in rural and regional communities."
Building Research Capacity and Workforce Development
Beyond direct patient care, the unit is designed to strengthen clinical trial expertise and support workforce development in northern Sydney. NORTH STAR Medical Director and Royal North Shore Hospital oncologist Professor Stephen Clarke said: "Encouragingly, the facility will not only strengthen our clinical trial expertise, but will provide valuable training and career development for the health workforce in northern Sydney."
Professor Clarke added that "the early phase unit will be an integral part of the broader NORTH STAR Van Norton Poche Cancer Trials Centre which is offering valuable clinical trial opportunities across the local health district."
Northern Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Anthony Schembri highlighted the district's century-long legacy in research and clinical care, stating that "this exciting new early phase clinical trials unit will build on that expertise, increasing our capacity to deliver the very latest therapies, and broadening our knowledge and experience in this rapidly changing field."
The development follows broad consultation with clinicians, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and the community, reflecting a coordinated approach to advancing cancer care infrastructure in Australia.