- $1 million grant instrumental in saving key research facility
- Ozgene to take on Animal Resources Centre (ARC) operations
- ARC has been critical resource for Australian biomedical research community
Funding through the Cook Government’s Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fundwill ensure critical research infrastructure will stay in Western Australia.
A million-dollar grant through the FHRI Fund’s Major Research Application Support (MRAS) Program has helped local company Ozgene secure Commonwealth funding to take on the operations of Perth’s Animal Resources Centre (ARC).
ARC was the major breeder of specialised strains of lab mice and rats and supplied animals to medical research programs at most of Australia’s universities and medical research institutes.
Now this funding will help transition ARC resources and operations to Ozgene Ltd Pty a Perth company with more than 20 years’ experience in mouse genetics and genomics.
The acquisition of ARC will allow Ozgene to expand its services, infrastructure, and expertise to provide capability and capacity nationally and globally in a range of medical areas such as developing cancer drugs, vaccines and therapeutics.
The MRAS Program is administered through the Department of Health’s Office of Medical Research and Innovation. For more information visit the MRAS website.
Comments attributed to Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson:
“The Cook Government is committed to supporting medical research here in Western Australia.
“This funding has helped Ozgene take on ARCs capacity and capabilities keeping a skilled workforce here in WA.
“Ozgene’s services are critical to the innovation and commercialisation pipeline in which life-saving treatments and therapies are developed from discovery to preclinical and clinical trials.
“In addition, continuing the ARC’s services through Ozgene has the potential to leverage national and international investment to WA.”
