WEHI welcomed Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford to the National Drug Discovery Centre in November, where they announced the $2 billion Breakthrough Victoria Fund.

They saw the state-of-the-art technology and observed first-hand the ground-breaking research being conducted at the National Drug Discovery Centre at WEHI.

The 10-year fund is designed to ensure Victoria remains at the forefront of research and innovation. The government announced that the fund would give the brightest minds in Victoria the funding and support they need to make discoveries and breakthroughs that change lives, save lives and drive Victoria’s economy.

WEHI director Professor Doug Hilton AO said the fund would allow Australian medical discoveries to progress further in Australia, by supporting research and development.

“The Breakthrough Victoria Fund is visionary and will enable targeted investments into Victorian healthcare innovations so that local medical research discoveries can benefit people globally,” Professor Hilton said.

“This funding will help ensure fundamental research is progressed in Australia, with local biotechnology and researchers working together to play an integral role in translating scientific discoveries into treatments that will help people live healthier for longer.”

Premier Andrews thanked and congratulated WEHI researchers on their valuable contribution to making medical discoveries that saved and improved lives.

“Victoria is home to some of the world’s leading accomplished scientists, researchers and innovators – we’re backing them and the incredible work they do to make our world better,” he said.