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Barwon Health and Deakin create alliance to enhance clinical research
Media release
22 April 2026
Barwon Health and Deakin University are strengthening their longstanding research collaboration to boost regional capacity in clinical trials and place Geelong at the center of a nationally significant medical research and innovation ecosystem.
The Barwon Health – Deakin University Clinical Trials Alliance will draw on the complementary strengths of Barwon Health and Deakin University to grow a regionally embedded but globally responsive partnership that will improve community access to trials, attract investment in new research, and develop a clinical trials workforce with new joint appointments for clinician researchers in oncology, endocrinology and infectious diseases as well as research nurses to support trial activity.
Barwon Health CEO Frances Diver said the Alliance was an outstanding opportunity to leverage shared infrastructure and expertise that will expand the delivery of high-quality clinical trials for the Barwon South-West region and beyond.
Driving regional health innovation
‘Barwon Health is one of Victoria’s largest and most comprehensive regional health services, with established expertise in clinical care, research governance, and the delivery of around 130 investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored trials, involving approximately 2,900 enrolled participants,’ Ms Diver said.
’We are building on decades of successful collaboration between Barwon Health and Deakin University, and on a shared strategic priority to improve health outcomes for our community through an integrated and regionally anchored clinical trial alliance.
‘The Barwon Health and Deakin University Clinical Trials Alliance is a powerful step forward for our region. This partnership formally brings together clinical excellence and academic leadership to expand access to high‑quality clinical trials close to home. It means our community can benefit from the latest advances in healthcare, while ensuring regional voices and experiences help shape the future of medicine. Together, we are strengthening research, improving outcomes and delivering cutting-edge care for our community.’
Leading the future of health research
Deakin Distinguished Professor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Professor Rachel Huxley said Deakin brought recognised strengths in health and medical research, digital health innovation, data science and biostatistics, with experience securing competitive grant funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Medical Research Future Fund and others.
‘Clinical trials are essential to improve access to innovative treatments and are a key driver of Australia’s health and medical research capacity, supporting national objectives for sovereign capability, skilled jobs and regional development,’ Professor Huxley said.
‘The initiative complements Australian Government investments in medical research, innovation, and advanced manufacturing, showcasing how regional partnerships can contribute to national outcomes.’
‘Clinical trials are essential to improve access to innovative treatments and are a key driver of Australia’s health and medical research capacity, supporting national objectives for sovereign capability, skilled jobs and regional development,’ Professor Huxley said.
‘The initiative complements Australian Government investments in medical research, innovation, and advanced manufacturing, showcasing how regional partnerships can contribute to national outcomes.’
The Alliance partners have committed $9.6 million in direct investment and in-kind support over five years to build an integrated system for clinical trial delivery across Barwon Health and Deakin that aligns regional research activity with national priorities in medical research.
Importantly, the Alliance will support increased higher degree research and increased access to trials-related training for Barwon Health and Deakin staff that fulfils shared objectives, including the establishment of the Clinician Scientist PhD Pathway.
The Alliance commenced in January this year and was officially launched by Federal Member for Corio, Richard Marles today at Deakin Waterfront.
Mr Marles said that the Barwon Health and Deakin University Clinical Trials Alliance is a fantastic step forward for Geelong.
‘It will give local patients access to cutting-edge clinical trials closer to home, while putting Geelong at the centre of medical research. Building on our strong local industries—from advanced manufacturing to health and education—this partnership strengthens our healthcare system and delivers better outcomes for our community,’ Mr Marles said.
‘The launch is an opportunity to highlight Geelong’s growing leadership in health innovation, demonstrating the national significance of regional research investment and celebrating the role of local institutions contributing to Australia’s medical research and innovation ecosystem,’ Professor Huxley said.
