On 15 October 2026, NORTH Foundation brought together clinicians, researchers, donors, supporters and health leaders at the Kolling Auditorium in St Leonards for Leading the Way: Clinical Trials at NSLHD. Clinical trials are helping change what is possible for patients – from testing emerging treatments and detecting disease earlier, to improving how established care is delivered. The event explored the strength of clinical research across Northern Sydney, and the role philanthropy can play in helping more patients benefit from it.
NORTH Foundation CEO Gil Lorquet opened the morning, setting the focus for the event firmly on what comes next: creating the philanthropic culture, infrastructure and partnerships needed so that advances in research can reach more patients.
"Our aim is not simply more trials, but fairer access to them."
A long history of research with patients at its centre
Adjunct Professor Anthony Schembri AM, Chief Executive of NSLHD, reflected on Royal North Shore Hospital’s long research history and the role clinical trials play in everyday healthcare. From the Kolling Institute’s origins in 1920 to major intensive care studies that have influenced practice in Australia and overseas, he highlighted how rigorous research can turn unanswered clinical questions into better treatment, safer care and new standards of practice.
Today, around 400 clinical investigators and staff are working on more than 300 clinical trials across NSLHD. Anthony also acknowledged the patients who volunteer to take part – contributing not only to their own care, but to knowledge that may improve care for people they will never meet.
“Clinical trials are an essential part of providing better care, not something separate from it.”
Building capacity through NORTH STAR VNP
Professor Stephen Clarke, Medical Director of NORTH STAR VNP and oncologist at Royal North Shore Hospital, shared the progress of the NORTH Sydney Trials and Research Van Norton Poche (NORTH STAR VNP) Cancer Clinical Trials Centre. The centre was made possible by a $20 million gift to NORTH Foundation from Greg Poche AO and the late Kay Van Norton Poche AO, whose vision was shaped by Kay’s own experience of accessing clinical trials in the United States.
NORTH STAR VNP brings together NSLHD and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. By May 2026, the program had 17 active clinical trials across a range of cancers, and in June, its dedicated Early Phase Unit officially opened at Royal North Shore Hospital. Professor Clarke spoke about the importance of investing not only in individual treatments, but in the research workforce, facilities and international collaborations that allow successive studies to be undertaken.
“Supporting a trials centre is not an investment in one treatment alone. It helps build the people and infrastructure that successive studies will need.”
He also reinforced that access must extend beyond metropolitan Sydney. The ambition is to create practical pathways for people in rural, regional and remote communities, as well as culturally and linguistically diverse communities and First Nations peoples, to participate in suitable trials with fewer barriers.
From earlier detection to next-generation treatment
The event then turned to two keynote presentations highlighting areas of research with the potential to significantly change how serious disease is detected and treated.Â
Professor Cameron Turtle presented on the Cancer Cellular Immunotherapy Service at Royal North Shore Hospital, which is building capacity to deliver advanced cellular therapies and expand access to clinical trials. The service is designed to bring together clinical trial infrastructure and a dedicated cancer immunology biobank, helping researchers develop and test next-generation treatments that harness a patient’s own immune system to fight cancer. Learn more about the Cancer Cellular Immunotherapy Service.
Professor Gemma Figtree AM presented the Early Detection of Coronary Artery Disease project, which is working to identify hidden heart disease before a heart attack occurs. The research combines genetic risk assessment, blood biomarkers and advanced imaging, with the next phase focused on validating the approach and expanding pathways through general practice so earlier detection can become part of routine care. Learn more about Early Detection of Coronary Artery Disease.Â
Professor Clarke then moderated a panel discussion with Anthony, Cameron and Gemma, exploring why Royal North Shore Hospital is an important environment for clinical trials and how philanthropy can accelerate research by supporting the teams, infrastructure and access pathways required to move promising ideas into patient care.
Philanthropy helping research move faster
A recurring message throughout the morning was that scientific excellence alone is not enough. Clinical trials depend on research nurses, coordinators, data systems, specialist expertise, ethical oversight and the practical support that enables patients to participate. Philanthropy can help provide this capacity – allowing research programs to grow, new trials to open and more people to access opportunities that may otherwise remain out of reach.
Leading the Way highlighted the strength of collaboration between patients, clinicians, researchers, health services, and the donor community. Together, that support can help research move faster, widen access to clinical trials and bring the future of care closer to more patients.
