International Clinical Trials Day 2026, a year in review: Access to Trials
CLINICAL TRIALS IN REGIONAL, RURAL AND REMOTE AUSTRALIA
With
Amanda Koegelenberg,
CEO, Novatrials
INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL TRIALS DAY SERIES SEGMENT
Filmed in Newcastle, NSW | May 2026
To mark International Clinical Trials Day 2026, Australian Health Journal commences a 4 part special series leading up to 20th May with interviews captured across Australia. Through conversations with leading researchers, clinicians and trial organisations, the series highlights achievements in the year that was for clinical trials. The first segment is an example of how in-person clinical trial access has improved for regional, rural and remote communities.
Novatrials is helping transform access to clinical trials for people living in regional, rural and remote communities across the Hunter New England region and beyond. Based in Newcastle, New South Wales, the organisation was founded with a vision to bring innovative medical treatments closer to communities that have traditionally faced significant travel barriers to access state-of-the-art healthcare.
With the first purpose-built Phase 1 clinical trial facility outside of an Australian capital city, Novatrials is expanding opportunities for participants across Newcastle, the wider Hunter region and regional New South Wales to take part in world-class research closer to home. By conducting Phase 1 through to Phase 4 studies across a range of therapeutic areas, the organisation is helping bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and real-world patient care.
According to CEO Amanda Koegelenberg, the investment in the facility illustrates Novatrials’ commitment to ensuring people in regional and remote areas no longer need to travel vast distances to participate in clinical trials, while also bringing more research investment, innovation and healthcare opportunities into the Hunter New England region.
The segment highlights how Novatrials is working collaboratively with partners including the University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute and Hunter New England Local Health District to strengthen the region’s research ecosystem and improve access to emerging treatments for local communities.
Source: Adapted from transcript using AI
-
Belonging in a medical device company
Edith de Boer is the HR Director for Zimmer Biomet in Australia and New Zealand. Her career originally was in telecommunications and consulting in Europe. After leaving The Netherlands, Edith worked into the Australian medical research industry, before moving into a human resources role at Zimmer Biomet. Edith spoke to Australian Health Journal about her role and the organisation.
-
Taiwanese health and research delegation visit Paratus clinical trial site in Canberra
In late August 2025, a Taiwanese delegation comprising government officials from the Taiwanese FDA, various governmental groups, and physicians and researchers from across Taiwan, visited Paratus Clinical’s trial site in Canberra. Their objective was to explore both the differences and similarities between the clinical research ecosystems of Taiwan and Australia.
-
Updated handbook on chronic kidney disease management in primary care
Kidney Health Australia’s latest kidney disease guide for primary care practitioners is expected to be pivotal in slowing down the rates of kidney failure, which have doubled in the past 20 years and if left unchecked will grow by a further 42% by 2030, according to the health charity.
With specific reference to new kidney treatments and culturally safe kidney care for First Nations Australians, the 5th edition of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Management in Primary Care handbook, known as the ‘kidney bible’, is a significant step-up in enabling earlier diagnosis of kidney disease for GPs and other front-line healthcare professionals.
