PSYCHIATRY, INCLUDING PSYCHEDELIC, CLINICAL TRIALS SITE OPENS IN PRIMARY CARE SETTING Novel therapies drive demand for new Paratus Clinical site

With
Megan Morrison,
Chief Executive Officer, Paratus Clinical

Professor Paul Fitzgerald,
Principal Investigator, Paratus Clinical &
Head of School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University

Bernadette Fitzgibbon
Director of Psychiatry Research, Paratus Clinical &
Associate Professor, Australian National University

AUSTRALIAN HEALTH JOURNAL SEGMENT
Filmed in Melbourne | August 2025

Over the past decade, Paratus has been involved in over 200 clinical trials across 4 clinical site locations. Now a fifth site, the newly opened Melbourne site will cater to both primary care and psychiatry, specifically designed for psychedelic studies.

The new Melbourne site will be a focused on primary care studies specifically expanding access to psychiatric research, a growing area of unmet need. Australian Health Journal met with 3 recent hires brought in to support clinical trials across the organisation and in psychiatry in Melbourne.

– Megan Morrison, the recently appointed CEO of Paratus Clinical has 24 years of clinical research experience, industry knowledge and leadership, having worked across sponsor, CRO, and now site-side roles.

– Professor Paul Fitzgerald, the Director of the Australian National University School of Medicine and Psychology, provides senior academic leadership at Paratus Clinical as the Principal Investigator. Professor Fitzgerald is a renowned psychiatrist and researcher with over 25 years of experience leading clinical trials focused on psychiatric disorders. His pioneering work includes the development and evaluation of innovative treatments such as neurostimulation therapies (like transcranial magnetic stimulation) and novel pharmacological approaches. He plays a central role in trials in pharmacological-assisted psychotherapy and psychedelic compounds.

With extensive experience in conducting clinical research in psychiatry, Fitzgerald mentors the trial staff and ensures the integrity of the research protocols.

– Bernadette Fitzgibbon, the Director of Psychiatry Research at Paratus Clinical and Associate Professor at the Australian National University, has two decades experience in clinical research.  She previously served as Deputy Director of the Monarch Research Institute and is affiliated with both Monash University and the Australian National University, contributing to national research efforts across psychiatry and psychology. She will collaborate closely with Professor Fitzgerald in running clinical trials in Melbourne.

Talking to Australian Health Journal, both Fitzgerald and Fitzgibbon highlight the growing need for innovative treatments in mental health, one which Paratus aims to address through a focused approach to psychiatric research.

Source: Adapted from transcript and Paratus Clinical news posts