The University of Sydney is building a $478 million biomedical department to accelerate research and patient care.
The Sydney Biomedical Accelerator (SBA) will be the university’s largest-ever capital investment, with the research area adjacent to the University’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Camperdown campuses, within the Tech Central district. It will cover 36,000 square meters and address complex health issues, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
It is a partnership between the University, Sydney’s local health district and the NSW Government, in conjunction with the Centenary Institute. The NSW government pledged $143.3 million for the project in June.
Professor Mark Scott, Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Sydney, said it was a historic investment for any university.
“The array of world-class buildings and facilities that will make up the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator will bring together the brightest scientific and clinical minds with entrepreneurs, industry and government,” he said.
“It gives our renowned researchers and partners the infrastructure to take a major step forward in the global search for solutions to our biggest health challenges. Together we have the potential to dramatically improve the future of health and medical care in this country.
More than 1,200 biomedical researchers and clinical scientists will be housed on-site at the SBA, including more than 800 university laboratory and doctoral students and 100 industrial researchers.
Biomedical research and development and commercialization is a large and growing global market with a current expenditure of US$235 billion and a growth forecast of 4-5% per annum for the next five years.
Funding for the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator includes $73 million in philanthropic donations to the university, with the Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation donating a $20 million donation to establish The Isaac Wakil Biomedical Building, one of three buildings in the complex. It will be next to the . to sit Susan Wakil Health Buildingwhich is not part of SBA, and opened in 2021 thanks to a $35 million donation from the Wakils.
Melbourne-based architecture firm Denton Corker Marshall has partnered with HDR to design the 36,000m2 integrated facility.
The first works for the SBA will start this year and the first commissioning is expected to take place from 2026.
Key stakeholders meeting for the launch of the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator were Richard Alcock (Western Sydney Local Health District), Elizabeth Koff (Telstra Health), Susan Pearce (NSW Health), Prof. Mark Scott (University of Sydney), Dr. Teresa Anderson (Sydney Local Health District) and Prof. Robyn Ward (University of Sydney)