Vaccine & Drug Development 101

Dr Alma Fulurija

Dr Alma Fulurija is the Head of the Strep A Vaccines team at Telephone Kids Institute. In this interview, she discussed the process of vaccine development, which is a long, expensive, and high-risk process, but has the potential for high rewards if successful. The Covid-19 pandemic has shown that vaccine development can be done faster with more money and collaboration.

Dr Fulurija discussed the different phases of vaccine development, including the discovery phase, where researchers try to understand the biology of the disease they are trying to treat and identify the target they want to eliminate. This is followed by the pre-clinical development phase, where researchers conduct experiments on cells and animals to assess the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.

Next is the clinical development phase, which involves testing the vaccine on human volunteers in a series of clinical trials to evaluate its safety and efficacy in different age groups and populations. The final phase is manufacturing, where the vaccine is produced on a large scale for distribution.

Dr Fulurija emphasised the importance of funding and collaboration in the vaccine development process. She also discussed the potential for growth in the life sciences sector in Western Australia, highlighting the state's strong track record in this area. She emphasised the importance of supporting and investing in early-stage companies in the sector.

In addition to discussing the vaccine development process, Fulurija also touched on the challenges and obstacles that can arise during this process. She discussed the need for regulatory approval and the importance of gaining the trust and support of the public. She also talked about the role of the government in providing funding and support for vaccine development.

Dr Fulurija also highlighted the potential benefits of vaccines, not only in terms of protecting individuals from infectious diseases, but also in terms of public health and economic benefits. She discussed the potential for vaccines to prevent outbreaks and control the spread of infectious diseases, thus reducing the need for expensive medical interventions and allowing for a healthier and more productive population.

In conclusion, Dr Fulurija emphasised the importance of continued investment and support for the life sciences sector, particularly in the area of vaccine development. She highlighted the potential for growth and success in this area, as well as the potential benefits for public health and the economy.

Dr Martine Kenan

Dr Martine Keenan is the Chief Innovation Officer for Melbourne-based company Synthesis Research. In this interview, she discussed the process of drug development, starting with the patient need and working backwards to identify potential therapies. Keenan emphasised the importance of early-stage research and the need to conduct experiments on cells and animals before moving on to clinical trials.

She discussed the challenges and obstacles that can arise during the drug development process, including the need for regulatory approval and the importance of gaining the trust and support of the public. She also talked about the role of the government in providing funding and support for drug development.

In terms of Western Australia, Dr Keenan highlighted the state's strong track record in life sciences and the potential for further growth in the sector. She also discussed the importance of supporting and investing in early-stage companies in the life sciences sector.

Dr Keenan emphasised the potential benefits of new therapies and treatments, not only in terms of improving patient outcomes, but also in terms of public health and economic benefits. She discussed the potential for new drugs to prevent and treat diseases, thus improving the health and productivity of the population.

In conclusion, Dr Keenan emphasised the importance of continued investment and support for the life sciences sector, particularly in the area of drug development. She highlighted the potential for growth and success in this area, as well as the potential benefits for public health and the economy.