Partnership Launch

Assistant Minister for Health Hon Ged Kearney MP says the partnership represents a new decade of hope for people affected by diabetes.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what these two organisations can achieve together,” Minister Kearney says.

“As a Victorian I’m proud that a new decade of hope for people with diabetes has been born in my state.

“I’m equally proud that the Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) has helped drive ACADI’s success to date.”

A catalyst for change

“The prospect of ACADI not continuing beyond the initial MRFF grant funding was unfathomable and would have been an absolute tragedy,” says Diabetes Victoria CEO Glen Noonan.

“We see great need and opportunity for groundbreaking advancements in diabetes research and the transformation of diabetes care in Australia.

“I have a strong view that ACADI can be a real catalyst for this change.”

Mr Noonan adds that Diabetes Victoria has a long history of supporting diabetes research.

“We have contributed $22 million to diabetes research since 2015,” he says.

“We have 15 years of experience in this partnering model through our partnership with Deakin Uni to create the ACBRD.”

The partnership is aligned with Diabetes Victoria’s goal to see more people benefit from research breakthroughs.

“We want to see research sustainably implemented in healthcare systems and communities,” Mr Noonan says.

“ACADI is in a unique position to bring all the pieces together.

“This includes working with health services to research and trial better models of care, as well as positioning them with stakeholders and government to scale up at a system wide level.”

The next chapter in diabetes research

The landmark 10-year collaboration ensures ACADI’s continued leadership in driving cutting-edge diabetes research.

Professor Elif Ekinci, director of ACADI and Head of Department of Medicine at the University of Melbourne, says ACADI is a unique, national centre that brings together over 70 partners. This includes researchers, advocacy groups, health services and industry partners.

“We are very much looking forward to working with Diabetes Victoria to ensure people with diabetes continue to be at the heart of all we do,” Professor Ekinci says.

“We are aligned in our values and united in our vision to improve quality of life for people affected by diabetes, and in our mission to enhance diabetes related healthcare.

“This partnership gives our researchers direct access to insights from people living with diabetes, which means the research is grounded in lived experience.

“Security for our core staff is so important and it’s not easy to get that support, so we are very grateful for the partnership.”