South Australia’s health ecosystem
South Australia is characterised by deep clinical research, manufacturing and an end-to-end value chain supported by world-class infrastructure and digital capabilities. It is an exceptionally collaborative and connected ecosystem for drug development, advanced manufacturing and data-driven health innovation.
This makes Adelaide and South Australia the perfect location to collaborate, innovate and trial new products, ready for global commercialisation.
South Australia provides the fastest pathway for clinical trial conduct with data accepted by regulatory agencies globally, offering speed, quality and value in medical research.
Invest SA within the Department of State Development, partners directly with domestic and international organisations, investors and industry leaders to identify commercial opportunities and enable successful market entry, expansion and collaboration.
For more information download the South Australian Clinical Trials Connected Health Innovation PDF below:
South Australian advantage
Australia’s most experienced providers operate in South Australia, creating the nation’s most comprehensive, connected and supportive clinical trial ecosystem, providing leadership across the entire supply chain.
- Local ethics approval and an advanced ecosystem enable you to start trials in five to six weeks
- Save resources by working with experienced partners who offer specialised advice, increasing efficiency, reducing risk and adding value during trial exploration, setup and conduct
South Australia’s unique ecosystem provides a trusted, connected environment for companies to partner and innovate.
Leverage the South Australian advantage:
Speed
Efficient regulatory framework saves up to one year in regulatory timelines
- Investigational new drug application (IND) not required for Phase 1 studies
Quality
- Globally accepted data with the highest quality standards for submission to regulatory agencies including the US FDA, UK MHRA, EU EMA and Japan PDMA.
Value
- R&D tax incentive program
South Australia’s capabilities
Fastest pathway for clinical trial conduct
Enabling trials to start in five to six weeks
43.5% R&D tax incentive program
Supporting companies across R&D activities in Australia
Australia’s best longitudinal clinical data set
Statewide electronic medical record linked to Australia’s largest pathology and medical imaging providers
Complete clinical trial ecosystem
Clinical trials data accepted by global regulatory agencies
State of the art GMP manufacturing
R&D to commercial scale, small and large molecules and radiopharmaceuticals
At the forefront of biotech R&D
World-class biotech, including vaccine, microbiome and CAR T-cell research
Connect with South Australia to advance your drug development
Organisations at BIO International
Adelaide University
Adelaide University is a leading Australian public university with a strong and growing focus on health, medical, and wellbeing opportunities. Formed through the merger of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia, the institution combines deep research expertise with applied, industry‑connected health education to address contemporary and future healthcare challenges.
Agilex Biolabs
Agilex Biolabs is Australia’s largest bioanalytical laboratory, with nearly 30 years’ experience in regulated bioanalysis. The laboratories feature state-of-the-art equipment, including Sciex Triple Quad 6500+, MSD Quickplex 120, Cytek Aurora, BD FACSymphony A3, and droplet digital PCR, enabling comprehensive bioanalytical services. Agilex holds ISO/IEC17025 accreditation, OECD GLP recognition with NATA, and ISO27001:2022 certification for information security, ensuring the highest quality standards.
Avance Clinical
Avance Clinical is a full-service Contract Research Organisation (CRO) headquartered in Australia, with extensive operations across North America, including its office in North Carolina, Asia and New Zealand. With more than 30 years of experience leading early phase clinical trials, it leverages the unique advantages of the Australian market, including rapid ethics approval, no IND requirement, and up to 43.5% off with the Australian R&D tax rebate, to provide biotechs with an accelerated pathway to clinical success.
Bellberry Limited
Bellberry Limited is an Australian award-winning independent, not-for-profit organisation offering Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) services. Driven by two key objectives, to protect the welfare of research participants and improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of research, Bellberry provides high-quality, time-efficient, and internationally accredited scientific and ethical review of research projects.
Bentleys
Proudly independently owned and operated in South Australia for over 45 years, Bentleys SA is an integrated business services and advisory firm, and is helping businesses and individuals achieve their goals and aspirations, and get them to where they want to be.
BioCina
BioCina is a global, end-to-end contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) headquartered in Australia, serving pharma and biotech clients from early clinical development through to commercial supply. With integrated GMP facilities spanning drug substance biologics and sterile fill-finish drug product, BioCina is the leading end-to-end CDMO in Australia.
BiomeBank
BiomeBank is an Australian biotechnology company leading the development of co-cultured microbiome-based therapies. Their proprietary CONSORTIOMETM platform enables the targeted cultivation of stable, defined microbial consortia, overcoming the limitations of donor-derived approaches and unlocking new therapeutic potential.
CMAX Clinical Research
CMAX Clinical Research has been a leader in delivering early phase clinical trials for over 30 years, making it one of the most respected clinical trial businesses in Australia. Their modern custom-built facility is equipped with 78 inpatient beds and located opposite the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Adelaide’s BioMed City, providing ready access to state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and world-class medical and pharmacology specialists.
Madderns Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys
Madderns is a leading, privately-owned patent and trade mark attorney firm that protects the intellectual property assets of innovative businesses, organisations and individuals. The company’s experienced team of attorneys provide highly-specialised intellectual property services and advice to enable clients to secure and defend their brands and technologies.
OmnigeniQ Pty Ltd
OmnigeniQ is a frontier research company at the intersection of AI, advanced computation and life science.
PARC Clinical Research
PARC has extensive experience in conducting clinical trials across a broad range of therapeutic areas and development stages, from Phase I through to Phase IV. PARC has extensive experience in the management of compounds with narrow therapeutic indices, such as opioids and products in the early phases of development, which often require specialised monitoring and management. In addition, PARC’s highly specialised clinical facility is equipped for intensive monitoring of high-risk therapies, with non-hospital allocated beds for overnight and participant studies. The facility’s expertise also extends to the dosing and handling of Schedule 8, intravenous, and infusion therapies.
Qubigen
Qubigen's mission is to accelerate drug discovery through enhanced, secure AI Engines powered by our patented Federated AI platform, enabling breakthroughs against the world's toughest diseases that no single company can achieve alone.
RDI Partners
RDI Partners is a national market leader in structuring and delivering compliant, low-cost Australian R&D incentive solutions for foreign-controlled groups that seek to establish a presence in Australia.
SmartFem Biotech
Smartfem is a South Australia-based medical technology company dedicated to advancing women's health. The company is committed to enhancing the quality of life for women through products and services that address critical areas such as regenerative medicine and pelvic floor disorders.
SOCRU
Southern Oncology Clinical Research Unit (SOCRU) is a dedicated Phase I private clinical research site in Adelaide, South Australia, committed to advancing cancer research and providing exceptional, evidence-based, patient-centred care. Led by a team of five experienced oncologists, SOCRU specialises in conducting clinical trials involving cytotoxic agents, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and genetically modified organism therapies. The Unit is renowned for successfully managing complex studies, particularly those involving high-reaction-risk products and extended pharmacokinetics (PK) collection timepoints.
Syneos Health
Syneos Health is a global fully integrated biopharmaceutical solutions company committed to helping biotech and pharmaceutical companies navigate and optimise pathways to success. It provides clinical solutions, medical affairs and commercial solutions for its customers.
Connect with South Australia to advance your drug development for global markets
Dr Sandra Hack
Business Development Manager, Health & Medical Industries
South Australian Government
Regina Johnson
Deputy Director Americas - Houston
South Australian Government
E: Regina.johnson@austrade.gov.au
w: invest.sa.gov.au/global_offices/americas