1. ANZBA Role
ANZBA was formed following a MOU signed between State Governments (i.e. New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia and Australian Capital Territory) and New Zealand.
ANZBA hosted a Clinical Trials Forum in Perth, November 24th focussed on Business Linkages and Coordination.

2. ANZBA Clinical Trials Forum Participation
The ANZBA Clinical Trials Breakfast Forum Purpose - Discussing opportunities for collaboration in commercial development between clinical trial companies and organizations operating throughout Australia and New Zealand.
The forum was attended by over 60 stakeholders involved in the Australian and New Zealand clinical trial sector.

3. ANZBA Clinical Trials Forum Outcomes
The forum participants agreed:
There is opportunity for clinical trial services to be linked more directly with support for the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industries.
Raising awareness with Australian and New Zealand biotech/pharmaceutical companies is important with only 10% of local companies using Aust/NZ facilities.
Promotion of Australia and New Zealand as one “brand” to secure clinical trial work locally is important.
Collaboration in business and marketing in clinical trials will assist the growth of current activity in both Australia and New Zealand.

4. ANZBA Clinical Trials Forum Outcomes
The forum participants agreed:
Competition between states, territories and New Zealand is acceptable. However, Australia and New Zealand’s ultimate competitors are India and Singapore. By working together, larger market share can be gained. (Eg. The Economist Intelligence Unit - Early Phase trials, 0.27% - Phase I; 0.85% of Phase II trials carried out in Australia).
By streamlining Australia and New Zealand’s ethics committees across trial sites and other regulatory issues, (eg. one approval system) an improvement in competitiveness against other nations will be achieved facilitating clinical trial networks.
The forum participants agreed unanimously for ANZBA to build on this initiative.

5. ANZBA Clinical Trials Future Activity
ANZBA is prepared to play a role in bringing together States and Territories and New Zealand to harmonise regulatory issues.
ANZBA is happy to pursue development of a common brand for clinical trials.