The National Heart Foundation of Australia, Diabetes Australia and JDRF Australia have welcomed the Federal Government’s $47 million investment for research to fast-track new therapies for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, today announced a four-year program to accelerate research into preventing, diagnosing and treating the two chronic conditions.

More than four million Australians are currently living with some form of cardiovascular disease and around over 3.5 million Australians have diabetes or prediabetes. More than half a million Australians are living with both cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

The three organisations strongly welcomed the appointment of an Expert Board to advise the Government on how the funds can best be used to deliver real-life benefits for Australians. The Board will guide the initiative directon overall including the grant review, selection and approval processes.

“The initiative has the potential to make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of millions of Australians” said Heart Foundation President, Chris Leptos AM.

“It will help fast-track research that will deliver innovative therapies and provide significant benefits for people who are living with, or are at risk of developing, diabetes or heart disease.

“The Heart Foundation is delighted to be part of this important program and we thank the Federal Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, for his foresight and commitment.”

“We need new therapies and innovation to find better ways to prevent and treat all types of diabetes” said Prof Greg Johnson, CEO of Diabetes Australia.

“Diabetes is a pandemic – and there are many different types of diabetes and all are increasing in prevalence. This investment is warmly welcomed and should help Australia to fast track the development of new medicines and technologies.

Minister Hunt has strongly supported many new diabetes initiatives and we thank him and the Australian Government for this new MRFF initiative.”

JDRF Australia CEO Mike Wilson OAM said “The Targeted Translation Research Accelerator is an important investment in Australian diabetes and heart disease research. It will help the most promising science make the progression to where it benefits the patients that need it.

On behalf of the 122,000 Australian children and adults with type 1 diabetes we thank Minister Hunt and the Australian Government for establishing this program”