Medicines Research Unit to Close

This decision will impact 8 full time employees and 5 contract staff. 

Changes to the global R&D landscape and subsequently to GSK’s business model, has meant the volume of suitable studies and the type of work being channelled through this facility has changed. 

Geoffrey McDonald, General Manager Pharmaceuticals GSK Australia said ‘Sustainable research and development means we need to continually monitor and maximise our return on investment. Business decisions such as this are not made lightly or without extensive thought to all options available. Our priorities at this time are for the welfare of our employees, and we will do everything we can to support them as they find alternative employment.’ 

The Medicines Research Unit will cease operating on September 30, 2014. Ongoing work to decommission the Unit will take place over the coming months. 

GSK will continue to conduct globally sponsored clinical trials (phase 1-4) in Australia and New Zealand from its office in Melbourne and support investigator-led studies. 

The company maintains its commitment to research and development and will continue to operate dedicated research and development centres in the UK, USA, Spain, France, Germany Belgium, Japan, Singapore and China. 

Since opening in 1999 the Medicines Research Unit has conducted more than 130 pharmacology studies ranging from ‘first time in human’ through to ‘proof of concept studies’. 

Enquiries: