Funding therapy a 'no-brainer'

Australian researchers have demonstrated an adoptive immunotherapy that targets out-of-control viral infections in critically-ill immunocompromised patients, saving dozens of lives, with funding production of the therapy labelled a "no-brainer".

Developed by QIMR Berghofers Professor Rajiv Khanna and his team, the therapy is currently being supplied under the TGA's Special Access Scheme, which allows patients to access unapproved therapeutic goods as a last resort for treatment.

"These viruses usually cause mild or no symptoms in healthy people, but can quickly become life-threatening in immunocompromised patients, where standard treatments cause either significant side-effects, fail to work, or do not exist," QIMR Berghofer Tumour Immunology Group Clinical Trials Manager, Dr Michelle Neller, said.