New Act boosts QIMR Berghofer breakthroughs

QIMR Berghofer, Brisbane | Newsreel
Medical innovation at QIMR Berghofer has been boosted by new legislation. | Photo: Supplied by QIMR Berghofer.

The speed at which Queensland medical innovation can benefit patients has been enhanced with the passage of new legislation in State Parliament.

The Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Act 2025 was officially passed this week, introducing a modern legislative framework to underpin the Brisbane-based QIMR Berghofer’s future growth as a globally-recognised leader in medical research.

Chair of QIMR Berghofer’s governing Council Professor Arun Sharma said the new Act would position the Institute, which boasts nearly 1000 scientists, staff and students delivering world-leading research in fields like genomics, immunotherapy, skin cancer, malaria and genetic risk prediction, for an even more prosperous future of medical research breakthroughs.

Professor Sharma said the new legislation, brought in as QIMR Berghofer marked its 80th anniversary, strengthened the Institute’s governance, transparency and agility, enabling it to better compete, collaborate and translate discoveries into real health outcomes for Queenslanders and beyond.

He said it streamlined frameworks for commercialising medical innovations, facilitating quicker progress from laboratory breakthroughs to clinical benefit and economic value for Queensland.

Professor Sharma said the new Act also ensured the Institute remained at the forefront of life-saving innovations while targeting diseases of greatest significance to Queensland.

“Ultimately, the impact of medical research is only realised when patients benefit. This journey is often long and challenging, but these legislative reforms place QIMR Berghofer on firm foundations to deliver scientific advances for Queensland and the world.”

QIMR Berghofer Director and CEO Professor Fabienne Mackay said the new Act would position QIMR for ongoing success, greater impact and world-class innovation in medical research.

“I am incredibly proud of the QIMR Berghofer team whose tireless effort, unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence helped bring this historic legislative transformation to life,” Professor Mackay said.

Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls said reforms to incentive payments would help QIMR Berghofer remain competitive in a global market.

“At the heart of QIMR Berghofer’s success is collaboration. Research breakthroughs are almost never the work of one person alone, so it is important to recognise the many contributors who play an essential role in bringing discoveries to life,” Minister Nicholls said.

Major QIMR Berghofer scientific and medical breakthroughs include:

  • The discovery of the Ross River virus in 1963, leading to significant public health measures to prevent mosquito-borne viruses.
  • Identifying a causal link between Epstein-Barr virus and lymphoma and some forms of leukaemia.
  • Proving that regular sunscreen use reduces the risk of skin cancers in 1986, providing the scientific basis for clinical and public health advice around the world about skin cancer prevention.
  • Participating in a global collaboration to identify the role of the BRCA1 gene in breast cancer.
  • Preparing statistical modelling that informed aspects the Queensland Government’s public health strategy for the reopening of State borders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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