WA researchers receive $650,000 for microRNA cancer research

The Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) has secured $650,000 from the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF) to advance its work looking at the potential anti-cancer properties of the microRNA molecule miR-7 as well as the formation of a new company to act as a commercial vehicle.

It is the first research group in the West to receive funding form the MRCF to date.

“Our research at WAIMR has revealed miR-7 can cause cancer cells – particularly in cancers of the brain, lung, breast and prostate – to die off, and significantly reduce the growth of other cancer cells so its potential to treat rapid-growing tumours in particular is very exciting,” said research team leader Professor Peter Leedman, acting director of and head of the Institute’s Hormone-Dependent Cancers Laboratory.

Part of the MCRF money will go towards the formation of MiReven, a company dedicated to commercialising miR-7, with a view to conducting extensive pre-clinical testing to validate its promising anti-cancer effects.

“Being able to secure funding to commercialise breakthroughs such as this has historically been very difficult due to the early nature of the research so we are grateful the MRCF is there to plug the gap for what is, we believe, a very important area to investigate,” Professor Leedman said.

The MCRF was formed in 2007 with support from the Western Australian government, which committed to contributing $150,000 per year over four years to help cover the costs of managing the fund for Western Australian institutes.

“The MRCF is assisting Western Australian life sciences and biotechnology industry's research and development and commercialisation activities and creating further value to the medical research efforts being carried out in the State,” said Western Australian minister for Commerce, Science and Innovation Bill Marmion.

“The State Government's support of the MRCF gives WA's medical research institutes access to new investment funds that will help to encourage the commercialisation of biomedical research in WA.

“The MRCF also provides national visibility for the WA Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) and opportunities for collaboration with eastern states-based member institutes in a coordinated approach across Australia.”