The Hon Ed Husic MP, Minister for Industry and Science, announced the funding this week as part of the outcomes of Round 16 of the Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants scheme. The Australian Government grant will be bolstered by a further $5.1 million being contributed by project partners.
A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot in the lungs that presents in patients as sudden chest pain, coughing or trouble breathing. In Australia, there are approximately 25,000 cases per year, and they are potentially fatal.
Pulmonary embolism is currently diagnosed with a blood test and imaging, which can result in exposure to a toxic CT contrast agent or radioactive material. Patients may also be unable to access these imaging tests due to pre-existing conditions or the lack of timely access to a nuclear medicine department in their hospital.
The new project aims to validate the effectiveness of a new functional lung scan (CT VQ), developed by 4DMedical Limited, that shows the blood flow to tissues and organs in the lung without the need for patients to inject or inhale toxic material.
The CT VQ will be compared with existing CT contrast agent scans and nuclear medicine scans in partnership with I-MED Radiology Network Limited, while the MUCHE team, led by Associate Professor Bonny Parkinson, will perform the health economic assessments.
“Our research will provide the evidence needed regarding health outcomes and costs to help funders decide whether to invest in CT VQ throughout the healthcare system,” said Associate Professor Parkinson.
“By doing so, patients will be able to access a safer and more timely test for pulmonary embolism and receive appropriate treatment quicker – potentially saving lives.”
Professor Sakkie Pretorius, Macquarie University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, said: “MUCHE plays a vital role analysing the impact of health services, which has a tangible effect on Australian health policy and the wider community.
“This project is a wonderful example of how the collaboration between science, research and business can deliver life-changing results.”
The project started last month and will run through to June 2027.
