ANU receives transformative $4.5 million gift to advance personalised medicine

The Australian National University (ANU) has received a landmark $4.5 million commitment from The McCusker Charitable Foundation to support the ANU Centre for Personalised Medicine and improve how complex autoimmune diseases are diagnosed and treated across Australia.

The donation will provide flexible funding to expand clinical programs, increase research capability and accelerate the translation of discoveries into patient care under the leadership of Centre Director, Associate Professor Simon Jiang.

The ANU Centre for Personalised Medicine uses cutting-edge science to identify the genetic and cellular basis of complex autoimmune diseases, helping doctors make more accurate diagnoses and treat the underlying cause. Based within the ANU John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR), the Centre is a partnership between ANU and Canberra Health Services, and is Canberra Health Services' first quaternary referral service.

Associate Professor Simon Jiang said the Centre represents a new approach to medicine, designed around patients and driven by science.

"This support allows us to build a different model of care, where we attempt to identify the root cause of disease in each patient and use that knowledge to find the best treatment options," he said.

"For many patients, this means moving away from trial and error and towards care that is more targeted and more effective. Our ambition is to connect patients, clinicians and researchers across Australia so more people can benefit from this approach, no matter where they live.

"We are deeply grateful to The McCusker Charitable Foundation for their confidence in our vision and for their commitment to supporting research with real-world patient impact."

The McCusker Charitable Foundation has a long history of supporting medical research, education and community initiatives across Australia.

Tonya McCusker AM said the Foundation began supporting Associate Professor Simon Jiang and the Centre in 2023 because they saw both exceptional scientific capability and a clear commitment to improving the lives of patients.

"The progress achieved in a relatively short period has been remarkable," she said.

"This next phase of support reflects our confidence in the team, their vision for personalised medicine, and their ability to translate research into real-world outcomes. We're proud to be part of the journey, and we hope others, across philanthropy and government, will join in helping the Centre reach its full potential."

ANU and the Centre for Personalised Medicine hope to leverage the Foundation's support to attract further investment and partnerships.

Professor David Tscharke, Interim Director of JCSMR, said the support would help position the Centre for long-term impact.

"At the ANU John Curtin School of Medical Research, we are committed to making a difference, be that in discovery science that changes fields through to translation with immediate, real-world impact," he said.

"The Centre exemplifies this philosophy, and the support gives us the momentum and encouragement to accelerate that work. The McCusker Charitable Foundation is a terrific partner, and we are grateful for their trust in the Centre's team and potential."

Kerry-Ann Virgo, fundraiser for the ANU Centre for Personalised Medicine, said the gift reflected the importance of philanthropy in enabling ambitious research and innovation.

"This is the kind of philanthropy that can change the trajectory of a field," Ms Virgo said.

"The McCusker Charitable Foundation has recognised both the potential of personalised medicine and the importance of backing exceptional people and ideas early. Their support helps accelerate research and patient care that would otherwise not be possible."