Health Minister Jillian Skinner today formally launched an innovative joint venture between Children’s Medical Research Institute, the Children’s Cancer Institute and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network.

Mrs Skinner said Paediatrio will provide NSW with a platform to build new collaborations and strengthen existing local, state, national and international partnerships in paediatric research.

The inaugural chair of Paediatrio is Kathryn Greiner AO.

“In my early days as Minister for Medical Research, I was struck by the enormous potential of harnessing our existing research strengths and clinical expertise to meet the challenge of treating and ultimately curing childhood diseases,” Mrs Skinner said.

“After an initial investment of $1 million to implement a governance structure for Paediatrio, $15 million was allocated last year to the Paediatrio partners to support paediatric research integration through projects in areas such as clinical trials, childhood cancer and rare genetic diseases.”

Paediatrio shares formal affiliations with the University of Sydney and UNSW Australia.

“It is my belief that by engaging universities, independent medical research institutes and the health system in partnerships, Paediatrio will be able to drive the discovery of new and novel treatments and foster more efficient and effective translation of research into better health outcomes for our children and grandchildren,” Mrs Skinner said.