Western Australia has taken a step towards locally manufacturing advanced cancer therapies, with Royal Perth Hospital licensed to manufacture CAR T-cells and becoming the first hospital in Australia authorised to manufacture tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) for clinical trials.
In a news release, the government stated the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has granted the hospital licences covering both therapies, with the government saying the capability could allow more Western Australian patients to access emerging treatments closer to home.
CAR T-cell therapy involves re-engineering a patient’s immune cells to recognise and destroy cancer cells and is used for certain blood cancers. TIL therapy expands immune cells found within a patient’s tumour and is being investigated for melanoma and other solid cancers.
The WA Government said local manufacturing of the therapies could reduce the need for patients to travel for treatment and allow them to remain closer to their families and support networks.
Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson said the licence recognised Royal Perth Hospital’s work in cell and gene therapy.
“This TGA licence is a proud moment for Western Australia, confirming Royal Perth Hospital’s place at the forefront of cell and gene therapy,” Dawson said.
He said the new licences would provide patients with greater access to care closer to home.
“The Cook Labor Government will keep backing our researchers and clinicians driving these life-changing breakthroughs,” Dawson said.
The government said the first clinical trial and patient treatment using locally manufactured CAR T-cell and TIL therapies are expected to begin before the end of 2026.
Dawson said government initiatives, including the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund and Clinical Trials Roadmap, were supporting research and the development of new treatments.
“Through initiatives such as the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund and our Clinical Trials Roadmap, our government is supporting the development of new treatments and helping ensure Western Australians can benefit from the latest advances in health care,” he said.
