At the Royal North Shore Hospital Department of Dermatology Clinical and Translational Medicine Laboratory, we focus on three key areas including clinical trials, clinical projects and translational studies.
It can take more than 30 years from the discovery of a new medicine in the laboratory to the approved use of that compound with a patient in a clinic. It can then be another decade before that medicine is widely adopted by the medical community.
Our research team accelerates this entire process in three important ways. Firstly, by being actively involved in clinical trials, we can offer our patients immediate access to the latest and most advanced medicines.
Secondly, we conduct clinical studies to improve our understanding of the use of existing and new medicines, alongside projects to improve the early diagnosis and recognition of diseases.
And lastly, we perform laboratory experiments, with a focus on clinical observation and human tissues to better understand the causes of these conditions.
Ultimately, this means we are able to contribute to the discovery of new and targeted therapies for all dermatological conditions.
Associate Professor
Dermatology, Northern Clinical School
Head of Department
Professor Gayle Fischer is the Royal North Shore Hospital Head of Department of Dermatology, and an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, Discipline of Dermatology. Her research interests are vulval disease, paediatric dermatology and medical education. She runs a vulval disease and paediatric dermatology service at Royal North Shore Hospital. She has a 20-year career in researching and publishing on the subject of paediatric and vulval disease.
Dr Rebecca Saunderson MD - Head of Research
Dr Emma Smith PhD - Clinical Trials Coordinator
Erin Mewton - Transitional Nurse Practitioner
Vera Miao - Dermatology Research Fellow
Clinical trials conducted at our site are part of international multi-centre clinical trials. All of the trials are aiming to bring the latest and most advanced therapies to our patients. We mainly conduct phase 3 clinical trials as we believe that it is a stage that is most beneficial for our volunteer participants (patients). To enquire about any of our existing or upcoming clinical trials, please contact our Clinical Trials Coordinator, Dr Emma Smith, PhD: Emma.Smith2@health.nsw.gov.au
Current Clinical Trials:
1. ROCKET-ORBIT – Phase 3, Open to recruitment
A Phase 3, Open-label, 52-week Study to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Rocatinlimab (AMG 451) in Adolescent Subjects Aged ≥ 12 to < 18 years With Moderate-to-severe Atopic Dermatitis (AD) (ROCKET-Orbit)
2. M16-047 – Phase 3, Closed to recruitment, Following-up
Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis: Evaluation of Upadacitinib in Combination with Topical Corticosteroids in Adolescent and Adult Subjects
3. HS0005 – Phase 3, Closed to recruitment, Following-up
A Phase 3, Open-Label, Parallel Group, Multicenter, Extension Study Evaluating the Long-Term Treatment of Bimekizumab in Study Participants with Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa
4. B7451015 – Phase 3, Closed to recruitment, Following-up
A Phase 3 Multi-Center, Long-Term Extension Study Investigating the Efficacy and Safety of Abrocitinib, with or without Topical Medications, Administered to Subjects Aged 12 Years And Older with Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis
5. B7451064 – Phase 3, Closed to recruitment, Following-up
Abrocitinib Expanded Access Protocol for the Treatment of Adolescents and Adults with Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis
The purpose of the Royal North Shore Hospital Department of Dermatology Translational Medicine Laboratory is to discover and refine better and accessible therapies through clinically relevant laboratory studies. We aim to be the premier laboratory for dermatology translational studies and for dermatological clinician-scientists to work globally.
We hope that within our lifetimes we will see targeted therapies for all dermatological conditions. We are well placed to achieve this given our talented team, our access to state of the art equipment within the Kolling Institute and the University of Sydney, and our emphasis on clinical observation.
Current Translational Projects:
To enquire about any of our existing or upcoming translational studies, please contact our Research Fellow: geoffrey.lee@health.nsw.gov.au
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