The NSW Minister for Health and Medical Research, the Hon Jillian Skinner, has reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to medical research in the Hunter Region, announcing HMRI as one of 11 medical research institutes awarded funding in the 2012-16 Medical Research Support Program (MRSP).

In her announcement, the Minister referred directly to research work being undertaken by the HMRI Stoke Research Group and the development of ground-breaking stroke treatments.

“Funding from the program has seen the development of new stroke therapies at the Hunter Medical Research Institute where researchers have discovered a highly effective clot-busting drug therapy,” Mrs Skinner said. “It has seen more than 70 per cent of patients experiencing ‘excellent or good recovery’ within three months of their stroke.”

The MRSP provides critical infrastructure support, helping research institutes purchase equipment and develop their research capacity. The government has allocated an extra $5 million to boost the grants program, bringing the total commitment to $37.3 million per year.

HMRI Director Professor Michael Nilsson thanked Minister Skinner and the NSW Government for their continuing support of HMRI.

“Today's announcement is another milestone in the history of HMRI. It is a reflection of the hard work of many people over the 14 years since the institute’s inception,” Professor Nilsson said.

“HMRI’s research strengths are closely linked to the clinical needs of patients, and this funding will allow our researchers to continue their ground-breaking work to deliver better health outcomes.

“We are firmly committed to building research capacity and capabilities and proud to play a role in making NSW the pre-eminent leader in medical research.”