Unique Government Funded Program to Find Diabetes Cure
30 May 2006

The Hon Tony Abbott MP to announce funding for groundbreaking Islet Transplantation Program

On Thursday 30 March 2006 the Minister for Health and Ageing, Tony Abbott, will announce funding for the groundbreaking Islet Transplantation Program - a unique collaboration between the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and the Department of Health and Ageing.

The Federal Government will invest $30 million over the next four years through JDRF into islet transplantation research, an extremely promising cure for type 1 (juvenile) diabetes. The Islet Transplantation Program (ITP) is the first collaboration of its type between the Federal Government and a medical research not-for-profit organisation for the management of a clinical research program.

Australian of the Year 2006 and Chair of the ITP Executive Board, Professor Ian Frazer, will join the Hon Tony Abbott MP on 30 March to announce the successful applicants for the first round of funding. Six Australians have already received islet transplants as part of early stage clinical trials. During the next stage of the ITP, even more Australians will benefit from this cutting edge research.

Islet transplantation involves transplanting islet cells, which contain critical insulin-producing beta cells, into the liver. Australian and international clinical trials have already helped over 600 patients to live with varying levels of insulin independence, cut down the incidence of hypoglycaemia (dangerous blood sugar lows), enjoy an improved quality of life and reduce the risk of developing serious complications.

The ITP brings together some of the best scientists from Australia and around the world. All participants will work together in the best interests of the 140,000 Australians living with type 1 diabetes. Furthermore, findings in Australia will contribute to a worldwide effort by JDRF-funded researchers to hasten progress towards a cure for this devastating disease.

JDRF CEO, Mike Wilson, said, "On behalf of all Australians living with type 1 diabetes I would like to thank the Federal Government for making such a significant investment into this hope for a cure. JDRF has considerable experience and a worldwide reputation for funding the best and most promising diabetes research. The researchers and clinicians funded through this program will develop an islet transplantation network in Australia, and build international relationships to forge a pivotal role for Australia in the emerging international landscape of islet transplantation."

The following three groups will receive a total of $4.2 million in the first year as the first step in the establishment of this national program:

National Transplant Unit, Westmead Hospital, Sydney
Represented by Professor Phil O'Connell
Westmead Hospital is renowned for their work in islet transplantation, having already performed the procedure on six patients. This funding will allow Westmead to extend an already successful program and work closely with other leading researchers in Australia and internationally.

St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne
Represented by Professor Tom Kay
St Vincent's will conduct human islet transplantation with a focus on improving the survival of transplanted cells. This research will aim to reduce the number of islets needed to achieve insulin independence and increase the period of time during which patients can lead an insulin free life.

The South Australian and Northern Territory Islet Program
Represented by Professor Graeme Russ of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide
The SANTIP will establish a world-standard islet transplantation capability in South Australia. This will include involvement in Australia-wide and international clinical trials and research into islet function and survival.

ENDS

Media and photo opportunity:
The Hon Tony Abbott MP and Professor Ian Frazer will announce the first round of funding for the Islet Transplantation Program at 9am on Thursday 30 March, House of Representatives, Level 2, Committee Room 1.

For further information:
Karolyn Andrews, Media & PR Manager, JDRF
Ph. 02 9966 0400 (x203) or 0403 787 077 | email: kandrews@jdrf.org.au

About JDRF:
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is the world's largest not-for-profit supporter of diabetes research, investing $130 million in the search to find a cure for type 1 diabetes each year. JDRF was founded in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, a disease which strikes people suddenly, makes them dependent on multiple daily injections of insulin to survive and at risk of devastating health complications like blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and amputation.