Certara's d3 Medicine has been selected to conduct a national audit of Australia’s medical countermeasures (MCM) product research and development capabilities and capacity.
The MCM include vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics against chemical, biological and radiological threats, as well as emerging infectious diseases and pandemics.
The Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group, are partnering with d3 Medicine to assess and optimise Australia’s MCM research, development and manufacturing capabilities.
DST Group is the Australian government's lead agency responsible for applying science and technology to safeguard Australia and its national interests.
Certara is a provider of decision support technology and consulting services for optimising drug development and improving health outcomes; d3 Medicine has expertise in PK/PD modelling, pharmacometrics, asset due diligence, regulatory proficiency and clinical trials design.
These specialisms are considered critical to the strategic guidance of the new initiative.
“Thorough preparation is the best way to prevent a health crisis becoming a disaster,” said d3 Medicine President Craig Rayner. “This MCM preparedness approach is considered a priority under the Defence White Paper 2016.”
This new activity builds upon an initial audit conducted by d3 Medicine and DST Group in 2012. It aims to assess the nation’s current level of MCM knowledge, research, products, infrastructure and capability in both industry and academia.
d3 Medicine and DST Group continue to enhance their previously successful interactions.
Together they have:
- Coordinated war gaming exercises with the Australian R and D community;
- Proposed product development strategies for emergency situations;
- Collaborated with the Therapeutic Goods Administration to understand how an MCM emergency could inform the review and use of a MCM diagnostic and therapeutic solution.