Construction of the $206 million Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery (ACMD), has officially commenced.

Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, and Minister for Medical Research, Mary-Anne Thomas, visited the site at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne to mark the start of construction. Premier Andrews said, “Melbourne is the medical research capital of Australia – this new centre will cement our place as a world leader in medical discoveries and scientific breakthroughs.

“The new Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery is just another example of how we’re supporting medical research – creating jobs and delivering innovation that will save and change lives.”

The preliminary stage will involve piling works to allow the construction of the basement and foundations for the new building. The basement slab is scheduled to be poured in July. The ACMD will become a powerhouse of Australian-led research driven by real-life clinical need. Projects aim to address complex health challenges with a core focus on prevention and early intervention, as well as creating an ability to fast-track clinical trials and device development, to benefit patients sooner.

Among some of the novel technologies being utilised by ACMD researchers to transform the future of healthcare are artificial intelligence, implantable digital devices, regenerative medicine and 3D-printing.

Ms Thomas said, “We’re supporting our medical researchers with the best facilities and latest technology so they can make the discoveries that will help Victorians live longer and healthier lives.”

The new 16,500sqm building will include 3D-printing laboratories, a human kinetics lab and insulated rooms for the development of sensitive hearing and vision technologies. There will also be engineering workshops to produce medical device prototypes and robotics that can be used to help accelerate clinical trials.

An education hub will form a key part of the ACMD. It will be used to help nurture future clinical, nursing, allied health and biomedical research innovators and leaders. The space will incorporate multiple seminar and tutorial rooms, a clinical simulation laboratory, and a large lecture theatre extending over two levels with scope to host national and international conferences and major events.

Construction of the centre is scheduled to be completed by late 2024.

The ACMD building project has been enabled by contributions from the federal and state governments, the ACMD partners and generous philanthropy. We welcome conversations on how you can join us in realising impact through the ACMD.

Together we can lift our ambition further and realise the ACMD’s full potential for our community.

To find out more about this exciting project and how you can be involved please contact Melina Talanis, ACMD Capital Campaign Director.