The Paul Ramsay Foundation has generously committed $4 million in grant funding to the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute) to support research into COVID-19.
The Doherty Institute is a joint venture between the University of Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne hospital.
The funding will be directed to two projects:
- $2 million for the creation of a passive vaccine platform, which is the direct transfer of antibodies to a non-immune individual, providing temporary protection against the virus.
- $2 million for the Australian Partnership for Preparedness Research on Infectious Disease Emergencies (APPRISE) Centre of Research Excellence, which will support the development of effective responses to COVID-19 for high-risk communities, particularly Indigenous populations.
University of Melbourne Professor Sharon Lewin, Director of the Doherty Institute, thanked the Foundation for its significant support.
"This commitment from the Paul Ramsay Foundation is extremely generous, and will go a long way in supporting Australia's response to COVID-19," Professor Lewin said.
"I am particularly pleased that $2 million will support research in Indigenous populations. This work will be done in partnership with Indigenous people and will be led by Indigenous researchers who are already active leaders in APPRISE."
The Paul Ramsay Foundation seeks to identify and partner with individuals, communities and organisations working to create an Australia where people can overcome disadvantage and realise their potential.
For more information, view the Paul Ramsay Foundation's full statement.
