The government of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, has announced an investment of A$20.7m ($13.39m) in access to life-changing therapies for individuals suffering from rare blood cancers, blinding eye conditions and high-risk neuroblastoma.
The substantial funding allocation, part of the 2025-26 budget, will be offered to patients across highly specialised therapies including CAR T-cell treatments designed for adults and children with uncommon blood cancers.
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This treatment involves obtaining immune cells from patients, modifying them in a laboratory setting then reintroducing them into patients’ bodies to destroy cancerous cells.
A gene therapy targeting a rare eye condition is also included within this healthcare investment.
Delivering a healthy copy of the affected gene directly into patients’ eyes gives potential for improved or even restored sight.
Children diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma will have access to complex biological products that attach to cancer cells and aid in stimulating the immune system’s response.
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By GlobalDataThe additional fund is crucial to provide treatment opportunities for those who otherwise might not have any viable options available.
The treatments can be accessed through facilities such as Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Westmead Hospital and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network.
The latest funding boost supplements an earlier announcement made during the 2023-24 budget, which provided A$25m in recurrent funding dedicated to similar initiatives.
Health Minister Ryan Park stated: “We are ensuring patients living with rare and high-risk conditions can access highly specialised treatments to prolong and improve their lives.”
A second significant financial commitment exceeding A$800m by the NSW government is also targeting essential health services throughout state hospitals.
This latest round of financing underscores efforts by current administration officials to rectify what they describe as 12 years of neglect under the state’s previous government, which resulted in an under-resourced and overwhelmed NSW health infrastructure.
Cell & Gene Therapy coverage on Pharmaceutical Technology is supported by Cytiva.
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