Established in 1998, this dedicated clinical pharmacology unit is situated within the Prince of Wales Hospital, in Sydney, Australia. This location provides access to a comprehensive range of medical services and research facilities within a large teaching hospital and the adjacent University of New South Wales. The GSK Medicines Research Unit employs professionals in medicine, pharmacy, science and nursing to ensure safety, quality and innovation in the clinical development of new pharmaceuticals, conducting early phase trials (phase 1 and 2), from “first time in human” through to “proof-of-concept studies”.

The Unit performs studies in the following areas:

Healthy Volunteer Studies: Most studies conducted in the Unit are classified as Phase 1, in which new medicines are administered to a small group of healthy volunteers. These studies are conducted under strict medical supervision to provide information about the way the body deals with a drug, from its absorption, excretion, and concentration in the blood (called pharmacokinetics) to its interaction with food and/or other drugs, as well as the efficacy of the new medication. This information is necessary before larger Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials can proceed.

In addition to conventional Phase 1 studies in healthy volunteers the Unit uses its facilities for specialist studies in the following areas.

Ethnopharmacology: Sydney is a multicultural city of over 4 million people allowing the Unit to recruit defined ethnic groups. Studies have been conducted to assist in drug registration in Korea and Japan.

Experimental Medicine: New ways of studying the action of medicines in humans are constantly required in order to keep pace with the rapid developments in technology. The Unit has been involved in the development of methodology through which efficacy of new medicines can be determined.

Patient Groups: Small groups of patients with specific health disorders are sometimes recruited for detailed studies in the mechanism of action of new medicines (Phase 2a). To date these disorders have included: migraine, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, obesity, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, allergic rhinitis, osteopaenia, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, neropathic pain, overactive bladder and liver failure.

The development of new medicines is only possible with the help of volunteers. We are always recruiting healthy volunteers and volunteers from selected patient groups to take part in our medical research studies. As a medical trial volunteer you can help us develop new and better medicines to improve the quality of life for millions of people worldwide. Please contact us to find out more.