TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH PATHWAY
The TRI translational research model sees a distinctive role played by each member of a multi-disciplinary team that collectively agree on the clinical question, the goal and the required outcomes based on known discoveries. The model addresses emerging research needs through the internationally accepted translational pathway from T0 to T4. There's a well used term in research known as the valley of death, where incredible discoveries are lost to a lack of infrastructure and commercial models.
Translational research does not replace discovery research. Its goal is to keep successful discoveries in Australia by seeking funding from sources other than traditional academic grants. Too often, discoveries are made in Australia, at cost to Australians, but the successful findings are commercialised internationally along with the knowledge and talent who make these discoveries. Translational research models are essential to extend the success of Australia's existing world class discovery research while ensuring support for our greatest renewable resource - knowledge.
The translational pathway is designed to achieve the best results for the community while keeping us accountable to each other, our investors and all collaborators in these projects. This model allows us to adapt to the changing economy and identify where a project might not be successful, assisting by facilitating collaboration and connections which can bring discoveries to fruition. 
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Translation
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To reach T0, a project must have been through a discovery phase to arrive at an innovation which has been driven by a clinical question or patient need. |
The T1 milestone is reached when planned human studies meet ethical requirements. This phase involves proof of concept proto-type studies and Phase 1 clinical trials. |
The T2 milestone involves Phase 2 |
T3 is reached when a discovery has been published, peer reviewed, tested and proven successful to the extent that it is adopted into clinical practice. Phase 4 clinical trials, health services and implementation research (including real-world studies). |
The T4 milestone is achieved once independent evaluation by organisations such as WHO has estabished a proven health benefit on a world-wide basis. Population-level outcomes research and studies of the impact on policy. |
